Spain's squad in 2010 contained even fewer defenders, with manager Vicente del Bosque including only seven. Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Howedes and Philippe Lahm all started every game (albeit with the latter sometimes operating in midfield), while Mats Hummels started all but one, and Per Mertesacker started the four out of seven in which Lahm was moved forward. Germany's squad in 2014 contained nine defenders, but again, their backline generally featured the same individuals. In 2018, France's squad contained eight defenders, with four of them - Lucas Hernandez, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Benjamin Pavard - starting at least six of their seven games. ![]() ![]() He has not gone quite as far as Brazil, including six forwards to Tite's nine, but his selections suggest he has perhaps noted that recent World Cup-winning squads show little evidence of defensive emphasis in terms of numbers. This year, though, he has gone in the opposite direction, naming only nine defenders despite having the flexibility of an expanded squad, allowing him to take 26 players rather than 23.
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