In some ways, the fact Spain are in the semi-finals of this Women’s World Cup should not be that surprising, since they have what is undoubtedly their best generation of players ever. The younger ones — champions of everything at youth level — have come together with senior team-mates to mark a turning point in Spanish women’s football.
It is a potent combination that has led Spain to a position as one of the four best teams in the world for the first time in their history.
Added to this is the fact their squad contains reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who has won the award for the past two seasons, and one of the leading contenders to win that same award this year in Aitana Bonmati.
Having two of the best women’s players in the world should be a blessing for any squad. And even more so when they are both part of one of the best midfields in Europe with their club, Barcelona.
Barcelona have reached four of the past five Champions League finals, winning two of them (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
But, ahead of their semi-final against Sweden tomorrow (Tuesday) in the New Zealand city of Auckland, it is not quite that simple. In some ways, it is actually a problem for manager Jorge Vilda.
They say it takes a year after returning from an anterior…
