A feeling of watching a match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona will be unmistakable when Germany take on Spain in the semi-final of the World Cup at Durban on Wednesday. The combined strength of players from the two big European clubs in both squads is 15.
The Catalan club dominates every department of the Spanish national team’s staring XI. Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has his club-mate Gerard Pique for company at the heart of defence while Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, all from Barcelona, call the shots from the centre of midfield.
Barcelona lacked a regular representation in the final third and the addition of David Villa just before the World Cup has filled that void. Striker Pedro, another youngster from the Barca family, is also getting regular playing time as substitute.
Spain’s winning goals in the last 16 and quarterfinal was conceived and executed by Barcelona players. Barca trio of Iniesta, Xavi and Villa combined for a deadly move to break Portugal’s stubborn resistance in the pre-quarters. Xavi backheeled Iniesta’s pass to set up Villa’s winner.
Barca’s creativity was central to the Spanish goal in the next round against Paraguay. Iniesta was at it again as he bamboozled the Paraguayan defence with a stunning ball to the overlapping Pedro on the right. Villa buried a Pedro rebound to send Spain through. The results of key international football tournaments in recent times have demonstrated that teams comprising home-based players have an edge over others. It is even better if the majority of the playing XI is drawn from the same club, as in the case of Spain. Understanding and co-ordination is excellent among players from the same club because they spend 10 months of a year together.
For instance, Italy’s triumphant 2006 World Cup squad was totally made up of Serie A players. Egypt have won the last two African Cup of Nations mostly with home-based players.