Lack of potency in attack is making it difficult for Spain to live up to the expectations set by winning the World Cup and two European Championships in the recent golden spell for the country.
David Silva scored the only goal as they had a narrow 1-0 victory away to Belarus on Sunday and it is now becoming a familiar sight to see Spain have plenty of the ball but little cutting edge.
They dominated the first half in particular but had few moments that really troubled Belarus while after the break they were dependent on under-fire keeper Iker Casillas to maintain their lead as he made a couple of fine blocks.
Spain won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships along with the World Cup in between, with forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres in their pomp but since then the goals have dried up.
Vicente del Bosque’s side are still well placed to qualify for Euro 2016 but more is expected of a side boasting so much talent. They lie three points behind leaders Slovakia in Group C with 15 points from six games.
The coach has freshened up his side with new players but they still play the possession game that also brought a lot of success to Barcelona and has become more predictable.
Tellingly Barca changed to a more direct approach this season with the arrival of Luis Suarez and went on to win the treble.
“The style comes from the players of both Barca and (Real) Madrid and is down to logic. If you have quick players who don’t sit back and look to counter then it is normal to play like this,” Del Bosque told El Pais.
“It would be good to know how to play and keep possession, know how to counter-attack and have the ability to make a killer pass.
“Sometimes it is bad to make a pass which is the safe option when you could have looked forward and tried to find an opening.”
Players like Silva and Cesc Fabregas, who were regular goal scorers for the national team, have lately failed to contribute consistently and perhaps the answer was to be more direct.
Forward Diego Costa is yet to make an impact on the international stage mainly due to injury but a style that suits his pace and strength could be the solution for Spain.
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
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The years Ramadan fell in May
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
