WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Jorge Vilda finds his new ‘Alexia’ in the Spain Women’s Team: Maite Oroz
Maite Oroz has taken on the responsibility of leading La Roja’s midfield as the Ballon d’Or winner recovers from injury.
The National Team has found a leader for its midfield. They now have a compass that carries the weight of the game, someone who has the ability to dicatate and distribute, and who can start the play from the back: Maite Oroz. The midfielder is going through an exceptional run of form and is quickly becoming indispensable for La Roja.
Her talents were seen again in the clash against Jamaica in the Cup of Nations - Maite was the one who opened the scoring: “I was lucky that the ball came to me after Claudia’s great shot. I had the feeling that it was going to land there. I appeared at just the right moment. The team has been able to play their football, the way that we like to”.
Maite has a sprinkling of both Xavi and Iniesta
She is only 24 years old, but her progression has been rapid. Her arrival at Real Madrid in 2020 from Athletic Club put her in the international spotlight. It was in 2021 when she made her debut under Jorge Vilda.
She has only worn the National Team’s shirt for six games yet Maite is already a leader. With the 8 on her back, she does everything in the style of Xavi and Iniesta. These two former Spanish players wore said numbers with Spain and Barça; Oroz, has things from the skillsets of both.
A nose for goal
The Real Madrid midfielder can boast, in addition to being an all-rounder, a nose for knowing exactly where the goal is. She already has two in his six clashes for Spain, and this is not because the team have trouble: scoring has definitely not been a problem for this side over the years, Maite is simply another goalscoring string to their bow.
The players in the National Team have made a name for themselves in recent times for having very complete, well-rounded players with infinite technical quality and a keen eye in front of the opposition goal.
After the injury to Alexia Putellas before the Euros, a gap opened up in terms of leadership, and it was Aitana who took over the baton in England. But after her resignation, the midfield was left wide open. Oroz is taking advantage of his opportunity and it looks as though it has come to stay.