Spain are not declining guys, relax..
So after Barcelona, were given a run for their money and humiliated 7-0 over two games, they were all of a sudden the worst team in the world, according to some football fans.
Others even said that they would fall apart from the La Liga. Dude, they were 11 points clear with less than ten games to go, you really think they’re gonna mess it up at this rate? Those theories, I can live with, but the most absurd that I heard was the one that said that, Barcelona was on the decline and that they were beginning to fall apart. Really? Is that what you really think or have you been taking some sort of medication?
Okay first of all, the Catalans were not on decline nor are they going to be on decline for a while (as disappointed as I am). Second of all they are still one of the best teams in Europe and have been over the past 4 years; however there has been some times where they have been well beaten perhaps Mourinho’s counter attacking football with Inter that saw off the Blaugrana in the champions’ league semi-finals in 2010. Or even the losses to Chelsea in the semi finals in 2012 or even in the early knockout stages against where they had been beaten a resounding win for Ac Milan 2-0 (this was in Milan of course) and the list can go on and on. However the 7-0 defeat to Bayern over 2 legs was a freak show and incredibly entertaining for both neutrals and Bayern fans, but that doesn't mean it is the end of Barcelona.
Then on Sunday, there was the confederations cup final between Spain and Brazil. Before the kick off, reigning World and European champions were favourites. Yet they lost 3-0… For me I loved it, (seeing as I don’t like the majority of the Spanish players) it was exciting, Brazil played something different to what they normally go for, which is elegant and silky moves, yet that night they want for fast, aggressive football. Something the Spanish couldn't handle whatsoever. It was also a reminder of what happened in May between Bayern and Barca. They are just not used to that kind of opposition play; pace, power and aggression. And the annoying thing about it is that despite the heavy losses both teams had endured they still had more possession!
So what went wrong against Brazil? Well for starters, Brazil had the 12th man. Let’s just say that 98% of the spectators sitting in the Maracana were Brazilian, the others were unheard of. No pressure there eh boys? Secondly Del Bosque needed fresh legs; he was playing the exact same team that had played against Italy on the Thursday, those guys had been playing for 120 minutes against the Italians. Wasn’t exactly the best idea to play the same team against a fired up Brazil, was it?
These losses to Bayern Munich and Brazil don’t mean that Tiki Taka football is in decline, it is still a very efficient tactic, Spain managed to out possess Uruguay in the opening by having 71% of the possession and having 16 shots to 4.yes the score line can be a deceptive because it was only 2-1 but even still it was a master class from Spain. Or even when Spain beat Italy in the European Championship, that was a Tiki Taka master class. However, what is in decline is the Spanish football itself; you’ve got players that are beginning to decline, Spain and Barca both lack that powerful leadership that Carles Puyol has but where is he nowadays? The man is always injured, okay maybe not always but most of the time. Then there are the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Torres, and Villa; for some age is really beginning to catch up with them, but for others they have just not been hitting form ever since and it baffles me to why Del Bosque has persisted on using Torres and Villa so much. Then we have Iniesta and Xavi, two great players coming from a great season with Barcelona, but they had played so many games and Del Bosque had options to play so many other midfielders to have a chance. Sure they could feature in the first two games, but those guys need rest and their tiredness really showed in the Confederations cup final against Brazil. I mean its also no surprise that Spain lost to Brazil, they were going to at some point, it’s not like they were going to invincible were they?
Tell me what you make of this article yeah?
Comments below or get at me on twitter
@BethelMoyo
Others even said that they would fall apart from the La Liga. Dude, they were 11 points clear with less than ten games to go, you really think they’re gonna mess it up at this rate? Those theories, I can live with, but the most absurd that I heard was the one that said that, Barcelona was on the decline and that they were beginning to fall apart. Really? Is that what you really think or have you been taking some sort of medication?
Okay first of all, the Catalans were not on decline nor are they going to be on decline for a while (as disappointed as I am). Second of all they are still one of the best teams in Europe and have been over the past 4 years; however there has been some times where they have been well beaten perhaps Mourinho’s counter attacking football with Inter that saw off the Blaugrana in the champions’ league semi-finals in 2010. Or even the losses to Chelsea in the semi finals in 2012 or even in the early knockout stages against where they had been beaten a resounding win for Ac Milan 2-0 (this was in Milan of course) and the list can go on and on. However the 7-0 defeat to Bayern over 2 legs was a freak show and incredibly entertaining for both neutrals and Bayern fans, but that doesn't mean it is the end of Barcelona.
Then on Sunday, there was the confederations cup final between Spain and Brazil. Before the kick off, reigning World and European champions were favourites. Yet they lost 3-0… For me I loved it, (seeing as I don’t like the majority of the Spanish players) it was exciting, Brazil played something different to what they normally go for, which is elegant and silky moves, yet that night they want for fast, aggressive football. Something the Spanish couldn't handle whatsoever. It was also a reminder of what happened in May between Bayern and Barca. They are just not used to that kind of opposition play; pace, power and aggression. And the annoying thing about it is that despite the heavy losses both teams had endured they still had more possession!
So what went wrong against Brazil? Well for starters, Brazil had the 12th man. Let’s just say that 98% of the spectators sitting in the Maracana were Brazilian, the others were unheard of. No pressure there eh boys? Secondly Del Bosque needed fresh legs; he was playing the exact same team that had played against Italy on the Thursday, those guys had been playing for 120 minutes against the Italians. Wasn’t exactly the best idea to play the same team against a fired up Brazil, was it?
These losses to Bayern Munich and Brazil don’t mean that Tiki Taka football is in decline, it is still a very efficient tactic, Spain managed to out possess Uruguay in the opening by having 71% of the possession and having 16 shots to 4.yes the score line can be a deceptive because it was only 2-1 but even still it was a master class from Spain. Or even when Spain beat Italy in the European Championship, that was a Tiki Taka master class. However, what is in decline is the Spanish football itself; you’ve got players that are beginning to decline, Spain and Barca both lack that powerful leadership that Carles Puyol has but where is he nowadays? The man is always injured, okay maybe not always but most of the time. Then there are the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Torres, and Villa; for some age is really beginning to catch up with them, but for others they have just not been hitting form ever since and it baffles me to why Del Bosque has persisted on using Torres and Villa so much. Then we have Iniesta and Xavi, two great players coming from a great season with Barcelona, but they had played so many games and Del Bosque had options to play so many other midfielders to have a chance. Sure they could feature in the first two games, but those guys need rest and their tiredness really showed in the Confederations cup final against Brazil. I mean its also no surprise that Spain lost to Brazil, they were going to at some point, it’s not like they were going to invincible were they?
Tell me what you make of this article yeah?
Comments below or get at me on twitter
@BethelMoyo
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