Spain captain Iker Casillas believes that his squad’s teamwork and commitment to attractive football are the reasons why they have made it to the World Cup semifinals, while teams led by superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have not.
Casillas captains the European champions in a national record 53rd match — Wednesday’s semifinal meeting with Germany.
“We know that the Germany match is the most important in our history,” Casillas said. “Even more than the Euro 2008 final in Austria.”
The image of Casillas raising the trophy after that 1-0 victory over Germany is engrained in Spanish football history since it ended 44 years without a major triumph for the perennial dark horse.
Most importantly, it turned a deeply talented team of creative players from contenders into champions, with Casillas leading the team all the way through. “With a little patience we’ve been able to win the respect of world football,” said Casillas, who saw the decision to entrust an attractive, possession-based game begin under former coach Inaki Saez. “The past two or three years Spaniards have been winning titles at the club level and with the national team and that’s been important for Spanish football.”
“They are all teams who are playing in different ways, who are giving a little bit more than the rest, so they have the right to be among the world’s best four,” said Casillas, who was clear to point out that Spain is different from the rest.
“Germany are physical, Holland are quick and Uruguay are the representation of South American football. Spain are the newcomers in these past few years, the team that has won the most praise. Everyone knows Spain now, people have copied us.”
Even the Dutch have managed to avoid the usual infighting that had previously wrecked promising World Cup campaigns. Casillas reasons team spirit has a lot to do with Argentina and Portugal not living up to expectations. — AP