FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.06.2010 12:59

Queiroz believes Spain has the Barca look

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The head coach of Portugal, Carlos Queiroz, speaking ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup clash with Spain, has told reporters that Vicente del Bosque’s team has the Barca brand written all over it.

With no fewer than eight Barca players forming the backbone of the Spanish national team, many pundits have pointed out the similarities with Josep Guardiola’s team. Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz is the latest to pay homage to Barca’s influence.

The Barca style

He told reporters: "This great Spain team clearly comes from the Barca style, from the football played by Guardiola’s team”. Although Queiroz has never gone head to head with Pep Guardiola’s current Barca squad, he did come up against Barca when he was manager of Real Madrid in the 2003/04 season.

Barca the backbone

Of course, the predominance of Barca players in the Spain squad, makes this influence almost inevitable. "Xavi and Iniesta are in charge of the whole show. Puyol, Piqué and Busquets, plus the two players mentioned previously all play together in this team. And then there’s Cesc, from the (Barca) youth system, and Villa, signed recently because he fits in with the Barca style of football”.

Simao agrees with Queiroz

Portuguese star Simao Sabrosa, who played for Barca from 1999 to 2001, and has also faced Barca while defending the colours of Atletico Madrid, agrees with his national team manager: “We all know how Spain plays. The style is identical to Barca. They’re very strong on the ball, in their technique. They like to play with two or three touches and move the ball around very fast”.