LOS ANGELES (United States) —Spain’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals has been built on a tournament record run without conceding a goal, a fact goalkeeper Joan Garcia has told AFP comes down to the whole team’s willingness to defend.
Garcia has enjoyed a meteoric rise from playing in Spain’s second division two years ago to being Barcelona’s No 1, but he has had to watch from the sidelines during the tournament as Luis de la Fuente has kept faith with Unai Simon.
The Athletic Bilbao stopper has not conceded in his last six games over the last two World Cups, smashing the record of Italy’s Walter Zenga for the longest unbeaten run at the tournament.
Yet, other than a few smart stops in the 1-0 last 16 win over Portugal, Simon has barely even been tested as Spain’s dominance of possession and solid structure has kept the opposition at bay.
“Defensively, we are very well-structured; we all know what needs to be done and it shows in the fact that we concede few chances,” Garcia said.
“I think the important thing for a goalkeeper is prevention rather than shot-stopping. Preventing the opposition from getting into position to shoot, whether through the intervention of a defender, a goalkeeper coming out for an aerial ball or intercepting a low cross.
“These are things that might not show up in the stats, but they are important for a goalkeeper and the team. It shows our game plan is working.
“Ultimately, in a World Cup – with the quality of the teams involved – the fact that opponents aren’t even creating chances speaks volumes about the team,”Garcia added according to AFP.
