Arielle Dror and Kieran Doyle discuss Spain's performance in the Women's World Cup, analyzing their style of play and player performances. They delve into XG and line breaking passes in soccer, analyzing the ball progression of the Spain national team. The emotional impact of the World Cup semifinals is also discussed, along with thoughts on the upcoming final and England's defensive strategy against Australia.
Salma Paraluello has been a key player for Spain, using her speed and depth threat as a substitute to change the game.
Alexia Putellas has struggled to find her form in the tournament, possibly due to the difference in style of play between Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Spain has consistently underperformed their expected goal difference, and their ability to convert chances will be crucial in the final against England.
Deep dives
Spain's reliance on Salma Paraluello's impact off the bench
Salma Paraluello, an 18 or 19-year-old player in her first professional season, has been a key player for the Spanish team in this tournament. Spain has figured out the perfect role for her, using her speed and depth threat to come off the bench and change the game. She has been particularly effective in the last two games, creating more expected goals in those games as a substitute than in the games she started. Her presence adds pace and a different dimension to Spain's play, especially in terms of depth threat.
The challenge of managing Alexia Putellas' role in the tournament
Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner and a crucial player for the Spanish team, has had an inconsistent role in this tournament. Coming off an ACL tear, she has struggled to find her form, and her performance in the semifinal against Sweden was particularly underwhelming. She was largely absent and had the least involvement compared to other players. While fitness may be a factor, the difference in style of play between Barcelona and the Spanish national team could also be affecting her performance. Spain's reliance on full-backs for progression rather than midfielders like at Barcelona may be impacting her contributions.
Spain's underperformance in relation to their expected goal difference
Throughout this tournament, Spain has consistently underperformed their expected goal difference. While their expected goals have been higher, their actual goals don't reflect the same level of quality chances. In some games, such as the one against Netherlands, they were lucky to win, despite their opponents missing numerous chances. The semifinal against Sweden also had instances where Spain's chances were overestimated due to misfires. Going into the final against England, their ability to convert their chances and make the most of their expected goals will be crucial.
The rise of the W League as an off-season destination for US players
The podcast discusses how more and more US players are choosing to spend their off-season in the W League in Australia. This trend is driven by the desire to improve skills, gain a different perspective, and take advantage of the longer season offered by the W League. This shift could potentially have long-lasting effects on domestic women's football, leading to a more global split of talent between three continents.
Tactical adjustments and player decisions in the upcoming final
The podcast looks ahead to the final match between England and Spain and highlights key factors that could influence the outcome. One important decision for England's coach is whether to start Lauren James and potentially change the team's formation. Additionally, the performance of England's defenders and the match's refereeing style are identified as potential game-changers. The podcast also emphasizes the physicality of England's forwards, particularly Ellen White and Lauren Hemp, as important factors in England's potential success against Spain's defense.
Arielle Dror is joined by Kieran Doyle to talk through all the questions before the final. Have Spain been as good as their stats suggest? How many questions do we have about England's path to the final? How will the two defenses hold up under very different kinds of pressure? And how much violence might there be on Sunday? All the analytics you need to get ready for the World Cup final, plus Arielle talks about what it's been like to watch in Australia.
