Football: Spanish young guns show dominance could last

When the Spanish senior team took to the field to open their Confederations Cup campaign on Sunday night, there was once again great expectations for them to perform.

The world and European champions weren’t just coping with the pressure brought upon them by their own relentless success over the past five years, but by the younger Spanish generation pushing the seniors to maintain their standards just to keep their places in the squad.

Twenty-four hours before Spain’s debut in Brazil, the under-21 side had produced another stunning display to beat Norway 3-0 in the semi-finals of the European Championships in Israel and set-up a rematch of last year’s senior European Championship final against Italy.

Doubts had been cast over the decision to take the likes of David De Gea, Thiago Alcantara and Isco with the Under-21s given they are already established first team players at senior level.

There was also a feeling that Vicente del Bosque’s side could benefit from an injection of youth after another gruelling campaign for the veterans in his squad that have already won a World Cup and two European Championships.

However, the use of competitive tournaments for younger players is seen as a key part in the development of players for the senior side and has helped Spanish football become the envy of the world in recent years.

The success at international level of those in the current senior side dates back to 1999 when Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez won the World Youth Championships together.

On Sunday those two were the senior citizens as Spain produced another masterful display to beat Uruguay, with the extent of the world champion’s dominance not properly reflected in the 2-1 scoreline.

Del Bosque’s squad still isn’t an old one. Even accounting for Casillas and Xavi, the average age in the side that started against Uruguay was still only 27.

Yet, with several younger players having already been introduced by Del Bosque over his five years in charge, there is nothing to suggest that the production line of talent is slowing down.

As well as at senior level, La Seleccion have already won the last two Under-19 European Championships and should they beat Italy on Tuesday, La Rojita will also make it back-to-back Euros triumphs following their success in Denmark two years ago.

Five of the squad in Israel were also part of that triumph two years ago and whilst in other countries there is an impatience to quickly promote through the ranks into the senior side, the Spanish method believes in gaining as much tournament experience as possible.

“What we experienced in the previous Euros was very nice and it is something that we transmitted to the whole group, that it is a unique tournament and that perhaps you get to play once, or twice if you’re lucky,” De Gea said ahead of Saturday’s semi-final.

“You have to give everything and live it with a lot of excitement, go for it and try to win.

“We came here to win. We are a team of winners.”

Javi Martinez and Juan Mata were also part of the side that won the Euros in 2011, despite having been part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2010.

They both featured as substitutes against Uruguay on Sunday and whilst it is only a matter of time until the likes of De Gea, Thiago and Isco join them, their experience with the U-21s will ensure that they will know how to deal with the pressure of tournament football when their time comes.

Moreover, as De Gea stresses, they will already have built up the winning mentality that their elders have shown in abundance over the past five years.