Spanish mark

Yamal (right) - a symbol of the appeal of Spanish football at the moment - Photo: Reuters

That is because Mikel Arteta, the coach who led Arsenal to defeat Real Madrid, is Spanish. And in the early morning of April 10 (Vietnam time), another Spanish coach made his mark, Coach Luis Enrique.

Hats off to Enrique

Interestingly, the two Spanish teams that reached the Champions League quarter-finals did not use local coaches. On the contrary, Arsenal, Aston Villa and PSG all used Spanish coaches.

With PSG and Aston Villa, it is certain that a Spanish coach will advance. Coach Luis Enrique has the advantage over compatriot Unai Emery after PSG won 3-1 in the first leg. Aston Villa can hardly be blamed when their squad is much weaker than their opponents.

But we must take our hats off to Luis Enrique - the man who is helping PSG "look" like a true giant of the continent with his very unique football thinking.

Holding the ball, keeping the ball, passing a lot, building an attacking style based on a technical midfield, and sometimes without the need for a central striker. That has always been Luis Enrique's style throughout his coaching career from AS Roma, Celta Vigo to Barca, the Spanish national team, and now PSG.

At the beginning of this season, PSG still had two real strikers in the squad, Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos. But in the winter, Muani was sent out on loan. Ramos was almost completely "abandoned" by coach Enrique, with only 2 starts in the first half of the season. Ramos accepted to be a reserve and was kept, with only one start in the Champions League.

With a formation that does not require a striker, coach Enrique has let Dembele play as "number 9" almost the entire season. And perhaps only Enrique dares to use Dembele - a star famous for his speed - in that way.

When Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Doue, and Barcola were dominating Ligue 1, the football world still doubted PSG, thinking that they were too strong compared to the general level of French football. But when PSG defeated Atletico, Man City, Liverpool, and now Aston Villa, the football world needs to recognize the talent of coach Enrique.

New features

Since the summer of 2024, the football world has talked a lot about the return of Spain when they won the Euro, Real Madrid dominated the Champions League, and Barca produced top young stars again.

Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Cubarsi, Balde, Gavi, Fati, Eric Garcia - a total of eight young Spanish players were used by Barca in the 4-0 win over Dortmund. All of them came through the La Masia academy (or were brought in at a very young age, as in the case of Pedri) - a strong affirmation of the great Barca's return.

In difficult financial circumstances, Barca has developed a squad of young players even larger than the Messi, Pique, and Busquets generation of nearly two decades ago.

The Spanish mark is also evident in representatives from other leagues. For Arsenal, they have Merino and Raya, along with coach Arteta, as the team's outstanding Spaniards. For PSG, it is midfielder Fabian Ruiz. And Aston Villa also has a Spanish core like Arsenal with Pau Torres, Asensio and coach Emery.

The possession-based style of play, which was once considered outdated, is making a strong comeback in the continental arena with a new look. At PSG, coach Enrique has fast players that he didn't have at Barca. That is the French trio Dembele - Doue - Barcola. As for Barca, they use a pragmatic coach, Hansi Flick.

Barca, Arsenal, PSG or Aston Villa and even Real Madrid (if there is a miracle), the Champions League semi-finals will be competitions tinged with Spanish football.

Dortmund desperate, Aston Villa regretful

Early morning of April 10 (Vietnam time), Barca won Dortmund 4-0, while PSG won Aston Villa 3-1 at home.

Unfortunately for Aston Villa, they were the team that scored the opening goal, but then they could not stand firm against PSG's terrible attack. Not only that, the goal conceded in the 90+1 minute also put Aston Villa in a difficult position with a 2-goal gap before the second leg.

In the remaining match, Barca was too strong for Dortmund. The superstar trio Lewandowski (2 goals) - Yamal - Raphinha all scored directly for the home team.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dau-an-tay-ban-nha-20250411103749359.htm