Georgia vs. Spain: Keys to Victory for Spanish Squad in World Cup Qualifier

Spain's journey towards the 2014 World Cup kicks off in style, taking the show on the road to Boris Paichadze Stadium for a match with Georgia squad that is looking for one of its biggest wins in history. 

Georgia has never qualified for a World Cup, so this is a huge task for the squad and the country will be buzzing. Unfortunately, they have to go up against the squad ranked No. 1 in the world, according to FIFA. 

Since the odds are stacked against Georgia in this match, Spain has all the pressure in the world on its shoulders. 

Here is what the Spanish squad has to do in order to ensure they take care of business during Tuesday's match.

STRIKE EARLY 

With talent on the offensive side of the ball like Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, Spain should certainly have ample scoring opportunities in this match. 

But suppose, if you will, something happens and Spain isn't able to get loose in the open field to take an early lead. That is where you get in trouble, because Georgia is going to have the home-field advantage. 

Anything that Georgia can do to keep this match close throughout has to be considered a win. Spain can't afford to keep things too close, so it is imperative that the strikers get out in the open and challenge the net. 

The good news is Spain hasn't been on the wrong end of the scoreboard in 13 matches, so it should have no problems overcoming the hostile crowd. 

KEEP PRESSURE ON DEFENSE

In our preview for the match, Nicholas Goss called Gerard Pique the most important player on the field. 

Goss wrote that Pique has had an inconsistent year with Barcelona, so playing with Spain is a chance for him to get redemption on a higher profile stage. 

Since Georgia is not known for having a potent offensive attack, Pique and the rest of the Spanish defenders can send a message to the rest of the world by playing a physical, attacking style that helps them set up opportunities on offense. 

DON'T GET TOO CUTE

In a match like this, with Spain so heavily favored and clearly the best squad, it can be easy to take your foot off the gas pedal and coast along until the end. 

That is when you get in trouble. I think that Spain could play with nine men on the field and win this match, but you can't take any big risks. 

Given the way that Spain has played for the last 10 months, it would be hard to see this squad trying to do anything fancy. Forcing the tempo and making Georgia play their style is all that has to happen. 

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