jamcc wrote: Ginga, the fact that it has been a popular topic means a lot of people did think they were boring. Not that consensus is always an indicator of correctness but I certainly thought they were dull. Last night though, they were so much better and were a joy to watch.
For gooseberry fools and giggles...
At the risk of sounding all Keown, Spain's whole style is to be patient and wait for gaps to appear. They're more than comfortable retaining the ball until they find a perfect gap or a cutting pass. Italy, the second time around, were the first team to really open up and push on from the start against Spain. Maybe it was that arrogance and bravado that saw them lose the focus they had in the opening game. it looked they were believed they could outplay the Spaniards, as they'd done as much to both England and Germany.
The injuries didn't help but Spain are clinical. They got in behind the defence time and again but from the moment they went behind, the Italians were sloppy. Fabregas and Iniesta were allowed to pin the back three to the edge of their box (one that changed time and again as the night wore on) and strangled the amount of time Pirlo would have on the ball. Motta was brought on to add guile but the injury curtailed any chance of doing that.
Before that, though, the Italian midfield attempted to set up in a way that would allow them to push up and play off Fabregas' lack of place through the middle - but by working off a breakable bank of six, with Busquets the metronome and Alonso the sweeper, Spain simply shifted gear and had Alba and Ramos stretching the shape by bombing forward every time Xavi or Iniesta got it. I think that's what's key - the minute Spain add width, that's when the gaps appear. They almost always attempt to knacker the opposition's legs out before introducing someone fresh on the flanks; Pedro, Navas, Mata.
What I saw was an Italian team that got frustrated. Playing so many men in midfield can backfire, ala Scotland, when people get lazy or shift responsibility to others. Spain don't do that, they're tireless in pass/move, pass/move. There's a surprise in watching a team doing everything right. Usually I'm watching one that's doing everything wrong. The Italians were the least stuffy team to play Spain and they got thumped. I, personally, don't think it's anything to do with the Spanish being boring but rather the tactics employed by the opposition.
I've heard a few people say how wonderful this "tiki-taka" but it's almost just a bizz word now. Tiki-taka is all one-touch, ping-pong stuff. In the last year or so, Spain and Barcelona have moved away from that slightly, they're 'standing' on the ball more. It's evolved a bit, I guess? Guardiola tinkered a lot over the last few years and we've seen the effects filter through. I think that's where the criticism of Spain comes from - they perhaps aren't as blisteringly quick as Barca were in '09 but, again, I'd argue that a more reasoned approach has actually benefited them as it comes from the result of the opposition employing increasingly negative tactics, yet Spain are still winning and still in total control of games.
I just find the use of the word "boring" to be utterly jarring. It explains nothing, it doesn't open up debate or conversation, it's dismissive and negative. You're effectively writing off a team which just seems ignorant and lacking in perspective and context.
