If NFL franchises were EURO 2020 Teams: Part 3
By Tadhg Flynn
3. Spain – NFL Franchise Comparison: New England Patriots
Next game: vs. Croatia, Monday, June 28
The expectations surrounding Spain entering major tournaments have only one end result: win or you disappoint. For the majority of this century, Spain have been the undisputed best team in the world. The most talented generation of players in the country’s history all came through in the same period. Players such as Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Ramos and Puyol all played alongside each other and revolutionized world football.
Their cohesive understanding and total possession football altered defensive tactics for other nations and brought about entirely new approaches to international football. They dominated every other nation with ease.
After such an impressive and ascendant period, it is inevitable that there would be a fall off. Most of the very best players of their dominant era have retired or moved past their peak performance, and the current squad has to settle for being just very good.
Spain are among the top five teams left in the tournament and, while not as great as their unbeatable standards of the recent past, they are still well-coached, dynamic in their approach play and dominant in possession. No other team would choose to face Spain. However, they are beatable these days and that is something that other teams can capitalise on.
It should be no surprise that the only comparison for Spain are the New England Patriots. Once the absolute dominant force in the sport, holding a vice grip on the competition, the Patriots are now more vulnerable than they have been in many years. They lost a number of the best players of their generation and, in doing so, the standard of performance has dropped.
While still a good squad and capable of producing good displays, they are not the team that struck fear into every opposition for 15 years. Spain and the Patriots are both dealing with the end of their most successful era in history, and fans have to adjust to that. New England fans can watch Spain at EURO 2020 and push for them to produce magic. It is the kind of inspiration that a fading giant like the Patriots might need to get past their respective opponents.