Spain's five World Cup problems in Russia... and the solutions?

The Spain players returned to their base in Krasnodar through the night worried after a 2-2 draw with Morocco. Their faces were not filled with expressions of a team that had just qualified for the last 16 of a World Cup as group winners. They were aware they had played with fire and that they're performance was not good enough for a side that aspires to win the tournament. They will have to be much better on Sunday against the hosts Russia in Moscow. 

Sergio Ramos, as captain, was self-critical and he was backed up by others like Isco and Thiago. But they all added messages of hope, too. Experience indicates that if there's a sport where you can go from black to white in a couple of days, it's football. And even more so a World Cup. 

1- FRAGILE IN GOAL  

All players know that it is impossible to go far at the World Cup displaying so much fragility. Even though they talk of "punctual errors," leaking five goals in three games is a "barbarity," as Thiago said, not to mention the other chances Spain have given up -- like Amrabat's effort off the bar. 

David de Gea has has the misfortune of his World Cup being surrounded by doubts and his errors have transmitted a sensation of vulnerability to the rest of the team. Fernando Hierro, the first to defend the Manchester United goalkeeper, must now decide whether to drop him. Pepe Reina's had some fitness issues and Kepa's maybe inexperienced, but he's an option for the future. 

2- SYSTEMATIC DEFENSIVE ERRORS

Nacho giving a penalty away against Portugal, Gerard Pique's foul at the end of the same game, Sergio Ramos for both of Morocco's goals... They're the images which have stuck among the fans and the signs that Spain have a problem with their backline at this tournament. They're vulnerable when they lose the ball and they're not just slow getting back to their goal, but on occasions they're disorganised. 

That the Pique-Ramos partnership is not in its best moment doesn't mean they're not still one of the best defensive duos in the game, though. Hierro must get things back to normal. As for the right-back position, Dani Carvajal is still not at his best after an injury. Maybe Nacho will come in? Jordi Alba's one of the few at his usual level, although without his normal input in the final third yet. And a fundamental point? Can the team return to pressing like they were a few weeks ago?   

3- ONE OR TWO pivotes?

The team looks stretched. There is a lot space between the lines and a lack of coordination. Sergio Busquets does not always have sufficient support when it comes to defending. When it comes to building play, the team have a lot of ball possession but they're circulation is slow and they struggle to generate space. 

The debate, therefore, is around David Silva and, to a lesser extent, Andres Iniesta. In their place, some would like to see more muscle, in the form of Koke, who Busquets has said is the player he would like alongside him to keep the lines together. That would mean taking out one of the three creative midfielders, keeping in mind that Isco's been the best of the three so far... but Iniesta showed against Morocco, decisive in Spain's first goal, that he still has a role to play.    

4- MORE MUSCLE OR ‘tiqui taca’?

It's an old subject that was even discussed during La Roja's most successful years -- and it relevant to the last point. People were divided before the Morocco game between those calling for Koke and/or Saul and those that wanted Marco Asensio. But Hierro went for Thiago. Spain at their best were a team of midfielders that kept the ball and could break through the lines. Thiago is -- like Iniesta, Isco and Silva -- that type of player. But is is it the right call? Or should Spain seek a different balance? 

5- THE FORWARD LINE... 

Diego Costa is having a good World Cup and despite not storing against Morocco he played well, pinning back the two centre-backs. The issue is that Iago Aspas, as well as showing great movement, proved once again what fine form he is in, scoring a brilliant flick to earn Spain a 2-2 draw. 

But Costa and Aspas are not incompatible. In face, Costa is the ideal partner for Antoine Griezmann at Atletico.  But the Spain team that won the World Cup usually played best with one forward, a dynamic one who could link play, like David Villa. Hierro must decide if he keeps starting the game with one forward. And if he does, which one?   

FOR HOPE 

In any case, the hope is that "the worst has now past," as Sergio Ramos said. The idea was to top Group B and to head to Moscow for the last 16 and Sochi for the quarterfinal. That objective has been fulfilled. Now, remaining in the competition is another matter from here, but Spain are where they wanted to be when the tournament began. 

Now they have the motivation of playing the hosts, Russia, in a stadium such as the Luzhniky. Spain most move on and focus on what's ahead of them. The Russian support will be on their back, but the players will like that.