Recently, I declared I was not a fan of Spain and Barcelona's style of play. I was fully expecting a lot of criticism, and was prepared to argue back, but the general consensus, at least of those posters involve, was that people agreed with me.
I think i've pinpointed why it is Spain have begun to bore me. Previously in tournaments it was a slick passing game culminating in a sharp forward line led by Villa or Torres. It was amazing to watch, they looked dangerous whenever they were on the ball. They had sheer quality in every area of the pitch. They were the pinnacle or football, a shining light in the darkness of a PL ensconced in 'Big Sam's Hoofball Philosophy'.
Now however, it seems less dynamic. The passing game is still there, the quality is still there, but there seems to be something missing. Previously, Spain played with an urgency, a need, to push the ball forward and score. They'd put teams to the sword. However, recently, they seem to miss this. I feel the 4-6-0 formation sums it up perfectly. They've sacrificed that clinical striker for another midfielder.
It's this extra midfielder over a striker which I feel makes them boring. They keep possession, and don't seem to look to use it all the time. They seem content to keep the ball, knocking it around, possession for possession's sake as it were. The Spain who drew with Italy were, in my opinion, dull. The only spark came from Xavi, and the full backs. They had not striker to play it to, and relied on Fabregas who, despite his goal, can't compare to Villa, Llorente and Torres. Against Ireland, they played Torres, who despite a declining ability made them look a lot more interesting and exciting.
Do people agree that Spain are boring? is Spain's sacrifice of the striker, a 4-5-1 system, for a midfielder in a 4-6-0 style, contributing to their boring displays?
Spain - Possession for Possession's Sake?
posted on 15/6/12
TBF Veron worked really well in Europe. Being knocked out by Leverkusen was one of the most frustrating moments ever as a United fan, a United Real final at Hamden would have been epic.
posted on 15/6/12
International football, especially at a tournament such as the Euro's is all about margins. The games are incredibly tight and more often than not the scorelines reflect that. What Spain have found out that with their team, scoring even 1 goal is enough simply because they can keep possession for the rest of the match (without any real intent to score). They know that when a team will have the ball for hardly 20/30% of the time they are not going to do much with it. Essentially this Spanish side is set out to defend in a very abstract way. What will also happen is that teams will eventually tire as we saw with Ireland yesterday. Exploiting gaps in defence becomes very easy at that point and Spain will most probably end up scoring a load of goals without even particularly trying.
However obviously against the big sides (namely Germany this time) Spain won't have as much as they normally do. So trying to keep possession for the rest of the match is less likely to work which is why I wouldn't be at all surprised if Del Bosque plays regularly with a striker during the latter part of the tournament.
posted on 15/6/12
redconn,
I like Iniesta, he is brilliant but he is not in Zidane's class. No slight on him by the way as few players are.
posted on 15/6/12
Agreed, he was great in Europe but less so in the league.
posted on 15/6/12
Possession is a form of defending.
Its works very well for spain and barca. Yes germany look great apart from endless english style crosses.
I know if its Spain vs Swiss games can be boring but Italy vs Spain was anything but.
Also if you're saying you would rather see endless crosses in the box a la manchester utd rather than barca you are mad!!
posted on 15/6/12
But for me Brazilian style play is probably best to watch pre Dunga days.
posted on 15/6/12
Zidane is still my favourite
Iniesta comes very close though
he looks completely unbothered when marked by 3 players a foot away. Bored even. He just walks the ball around all of them.
Zidane was the same. But a tiny bit better.
zizou
posted on 15/6/12
English~Players~Dont~Fall~Over
I was gna flip at your comment about Germany and english style crossing until I saw your post about Brazil pre dunga days Agree with you on that. Said it befor on this thread. Brazil for me play attractive football.
Germany are great to watch and they certainly dont just do english style crosses. They can mix it up and score a goal with minumum fuss.
posted on 16/6/12
I have no problem with possession for its own sake.
Why do you think Spanish/Barca players never seem to get tired? Why do you think the Irish looked so knackered?
Keeping the ball is essential to wearing out your opponents so that you can strike at the right time. It is the opposite of the hoofball mentality. England would do well to learn from Spain rather than trying ridiculous Hollywood passes every time we get the ball (promptly losing possession and putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure).
posted on 16/6/12
comment by GlasgowGoonerCelt (U14249)
posted 23 hours, 52 minutes ago
I don't personally find it boring as I enjoy watching great techinical football but I know others don't. I just love the movement of the players and the space they create which is fantastic.
Spain were excellent to watch last night.
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I'm with you.
Nothing bores me more than watching England take 5 mins to win the ball then immediately hoof it up the pitch, lose it immediately and then spend the next 5 min trying to win it back again.
The Spanish demonstrated a masterclass in keeping possession. Movement, vision and technique that English players lack the imagination to even dream of.
Once they are in the lead, they are intelligent enough to know that they don't have to try to force more goals. Just keep the ball, pass it around, tire out the opposition and wait for the next chance to present itself. England, on the other hand, try to force chances as soon as they win the ball and 9 times out of 10 they just lose it cheaply for no reason.