What if Villa doesn´t score?

David Villa´s goals are the joy of the Spanish ´afición´(supporters). The team is enjoying with his ability to score game in game out and even FC Barcelona, his new club, is rubbing his hands together as thinking about how many titles will win the next season thanks to Villa´s scoring talent. Villa is performing in great form and that has given wings to the Spanish national team who is on the verge of reaching the World Cup Semi- finals for the first time ever.

Villa scored two times – it might have been three had he not missed from the penalty spot - against Honduras in the second group stage game. He was there to help Spain when it was most needed. He then struck the opener against Chile, a defensive side who was more than happy keeping the 0-0. Finally, the asturian striker took advantage of a world class pass from his new fellow club mate Xavi to score the only goal of a tough game against Portugal. Villa has been vital for Spain, without a doubt. However every reality has two faces: the striker has made himself indispensable for the team and that leads oneself to think what if Villa doesn´t score? Here´s the fact: No other Spanish player but Iniesta –who netted once against Chile- has scored a part from Villa.

Spain could pay a high price should none of the players, specially the attacking ones, help the team to go through with goals. Villa is human and there can be a game in which he can´t manage to break the net. ¿And what would happen given that situation? ¿Would we be out of the World Cup?

The Spanish press complacency is really hard to understand. No one has actually stopped to think about this Villa situation. The absence of objectivity and self-criticism is flagrant – which doesn´t help at all to the team. Prior to the start of the competition the Spanish press was already celebrating the title, due to our favourites role. Then, after the first defeat by Switzerland nobody said nothing about the things to improve. And now there is a blanket silence over the journalists who haven´t dared to highlight this dependency on Villa´s goals –and therefore the lack of success of the rest. I am of the opinion that the press should have opened a debate but as a means to work it out and improve the performance of the team as a whole. Sadly the Spanish press believes that every negative comment could be interpreted as a criticism.