Malta (4-2-4-0) vs Spain (4-1-5-0) - World Cup qualifier - - ShareMyTactics.com
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Malta's manager, West German Heese, had opted away from five across the back, but he kept faith in the sweeper role, still performed by English Div III side Brentford's John Buttigieg. His two full-backs were sticking tight to Spain's two attacking wide men (though in Manolo's case, he could also be seen as direct support for Butragueño up front), and regular full-back Brincat could easily fall back and help out his defence if necessary. "Il-Mundu", captain Vella, would sit deep and always offer his defenders a reliable option for whom to pass the ball to. Against three Spanyards, Malta could at times appear a bit light weight in the heart of the pitch, but Degiorgio would sometimes drift inside and help out Vella, and even Busuttil and Carabott, players who are not unfamiliar with playing further upfield, put in some graft as well.
