It is almost strange to think that Spain had not won a major tournament this time four years ago. Talent on the pitch was often wasted by spats off it until Spain ended a staggering 44 year trophy-less baron spell four years ago in Austria when Fernando Torres’ solitary goal defeated Germany to clinch the European Championships for the first time since winning it on home soil way back in 1964. That winning mentality was carried over to South Africa when Los Rojos finally became World Champions for the first time in their history.

The Spanish tika-taka style of football has had avid football fans drooling over their precise, intricate and patient style of play; even Manchester United have fell victim to the revolutionary football on three consecutive seasons at the hands of Barcelona and Atletic Bilbao in the Champions League and Europa League respectively.

But back to la selección, in truth, not a great deal has changed since South Africa. The wily Vicente Del Bosque still remains coach but what has changed could be damaging as Carles Puyol and David Villa are unavailable due to injury. The spine of the side still remains very much the same though with Busquets, Alonso and Xavi pulling the strings in midfield.

However, it is upfront that has Del Bosque feeling pensive; the absence of their all-time top goal scorer, following a broken leg suffered whilst playing for Barcelona in the FIFA World Club Championship in December against Qatarian side Al-Sad, has left a big void to fill- one in which Torres, Llorente, Negredo or Pedro will be challenging to do so.

Believe it or not but even the Spaniards may yet have cause for concern given that five of their eight goals scored in the World Cup 2010 were scored by Villa and with the inconsistent form of Torres, it remains to be seen where Spain will get their goals from. Some reports suggest that Manchester City play-maker David Silva could start ahead of all four contenders as a false number 9, a role which Leo Messi has made his own at Barcelona. The role in effect consists of the “false” striker dropping off from a supposed centre forward position almost into midfield in an attempt to confuse the oppositional defence and create space for any fellow teammates.

But of course, the four contenders will be hoping that is not the case. Llorente may have the strongest case after an impressive season with Bilbao, which has seen the twenty seven year old score 29 goals this campaign for the Basque club but despite such firepower, he is likely be used as an impact player from the substitutes bench. As for Pedro, the Barcelona man has only managed five La Liga goals whilst Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo as netted 14 goals in the league this season.

The omission of Roberto Soldado was a surprising one; the former Gatafe striker has been lethal in front of goal for Valencia of late with a sensational 52 goals in his last two seasons and his omission comes as a bigger surprise as Del Bosque is renowned for picking inform players. Though, the twenty nine year old’s lack of international experience may well have been a factor in the former Champions League winner’s decision making.

Another concern for Spain is the sheer amount of games their top clubs have endured this season. Seventeen of their twenty three man squad either play for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bilbao, Atletico Madrid or Chelsea, whom have been involved in the latter stages of European club football this campaign. Could burnout be their downfall. The counter argument to this is their ability to retain possession; this has been pivotal part of tika-taka to conserve energy and would play a vital part in Spain succeeding once again.