End of Days for Tiki-Taka?

Sticking to strengths or adamant?

It is not characteristic for the title holder to bow out so humbly from the greatest show on earth. So, I ask myself - Is this the same Spain side that was turning heads and compelling people to pick up and don the bright red jerseys in the last decade? The problem is…………….it exactly is!

The game is evolving with newer equipment (like knitted boots, jerseys made of recycled bottles, aerodynamically improved balls), additions of technology (like goal line), coaches experimenting with bolder formations and players adapting to different styles of football by playing in top leagues across countries. But has some teams failed to adapt?

I assume it may be safe to say that the Spanish national team, mirror the Barcelona system. The starting tactic relies on retaining possession through short and often one-touch passing and a patient build up play. But all that possession counts to nothing if the ball doesn’t end up in the back of the net. That is precisely the problem that the title defenders have demonstrated. It comes as no surprise after a trophy-less season for Barcelona. Make no mistake the system is not completely flawed as it helped win 4 La Liga titles and 2 UEFA Champions League titles for Barcelona and 2 Euro and 1 World Cup titles for Spain in the last six years. Yet there are certain drawbacks or weaknesses that other teams have found a way to exploit. Both teams have often been criticized of not having a “Plan B” in case things don’t work out as usual.

The answer to tiki-taka?

Tactics in football are often compared to chess where you plan your move anticipating your opponent’s move. Is it mere coincidence that two of the teams that have found success against the reigning champions, used the same formations? Expecting the usual possession based strategy of Spain, in 3-4-1-2 coaches of two teams seem to have found an answer to the international domination of La Furia Rojas.

The tiki-taka focuses on technically gifted mid fielders passing the ball around patiently and retaining the ball till a gap is spotted in defense to play it into the space and a capable finisher snatching the opportunity. This ploy has often led to most oppositions succumbing in frustration of not having the ball at their feet.

How the teams lined up

Spain started both matches with 4-2-3-1 with the 3 attacking midfielders operating centrally and focusing their passing through the center as usual. Though in the second game they started with Pedro to add width and pace, they stuck to the same type of passing barring few occasions.

Netherlands and Chile used 3-4-1-2 with 3 central defenders aimed at reducing the gap centrally at the back to avoid falling prey to through balls. It also helped them stop the striker and 3 attacking midfielders from running into central gaps. The two wingbacks supported the defense by falling back during the defensive phase of play and providing wide options during possession and attacking phases. The central attacking midfielders for both teams (Snieder for Netherlands and Vidal for Chile) though different type of players, possessed intelligence to find the killer pass for one of the two forwards to run onto.

The midfield dominance of Spain was countered by the two central midfielders of Netherlands and Chile sitting deep, close to the three central defenders and even the central attacking midfielders coming deep to congest the central areas and prevent the no 1. ranked team from passing around freely.

Netherlands

Chile

The wingbacks provided width and one of the forwards (Robben for the Dutch and Sanchez for Chile) provided pace. 

Netherlands and Chile using the width

This worked perfectly against the lack of pace of Pique and Martinez in each game. Again the lack of importance to defense shown by fielding players who lack the attributes of a good centre half cost them. Martinez is not a natural centre back and Pique loses concentration far too often. Spain refused to change the tactic that have won them many a laurels and it ultimately led to their downfall.

So, are the days of tiki-taka over? Only the future can tell us for certain. But teams have definitely found the weakness of the system and started exploiting them.

Come On You Spurs!

The Blueprint Laid For Success

We were all sad to see last year’s stand out performer leave the Lane to pursue his dreams. But the move financed the influx of a bunch of stars for the future thereby strengthening our squad in all areas of the pitch. “We sold a player and bought a team”. The appointment of the new technical director helped influence some high profile deals and it was agreed by pundits and fans alike that the Lillywhites were runaway winners of the summer transfer window. It gave us all the ammunition we needed to wage a war to break into the top four which would provide the coveted opportunity to compete in Europe’s elite tournament.

The Summer Swoops

The club broke the transfer record as many as three times in this single season and brought in as many as seven new faces who could lead the club to the glory it so deserves. Some have been expensive while some have been considered coups, either way the captures would make anyone swoon.

Paulinho has settled in the quickest and has looked to catch teams off guard with ability to dart late into the box providing an additional outlet in the attack. Chiriches, voted  “Player of the Month” for October in Facebook, has done so well that AVB would have headaches to bring Vertonghen back to his preferred position.  Eriksen in the first few touches has proved the asset he can be for the future to break down sturdy defences.

Capoue has added more steel in the middle and has impressed till he got injured. Chadli can cross, dribble and score too which are the pre-requisites of a winger.

Fans took a breath of relief with the signing of the Roberto Soldado brought in to add the finishing touch to the artwork in the centre of the park. He moves well and it will only be a matter of time when he starts recreating the magic from his La Liga days.

Lamela, the only one not to have excelled so far, has too started showing signs to justify his price tag.

The Lows and the Highs

A loss to bitter rivals, another couple of unexpected results and not bulging the back of the net frequently enough has caused some uproar from fans and pundits. But let us understand it is not yet the end of the world with only 11 games gone. After all this is the most competitive season in the league so far.

The positives are worth keeping faith in the team and the coach. The defence has been miserly, Hugo has been a hare off his tracks and youth product, Townsend is getting a lot of opposition attention.  The midfield is working hard too. All in all we have all the ingredients for success awaiting to unveil the final recipe with minor tweaks in the tactics (wingers laying off the ball more to exploit the strengths of Soldado) only to go onwards and upwards!

Someone Closest to GOD

16 November 2013 – Eyes moist, I switched off the television set. A hollow feeling engulfed me. With great difficulty I composed myself. Something had changed forever. I felt that life would never be the same anymore. Yes, this was the day the country’s most beloved son stepped out of the lush greens for the one last time. Nothing lasts forever and all good things come to an end. It is the realization of that which is hard to get a grip of.

Once in ages there arises a deity from amidst the mere mortals who creates history for generations to behold. He or she who changes the world as we know it. And there he came with a piece of willow in hand looking to tame the beasts dominating fellow mortals. Everything changed since. With great gusto and grace he carved out a legacy between 22 yards of space that can never be matched.

Rarely has an individual been able to capture a billion hearts let alone make them cry at unison. Such was the influence of this man. Yet he remained so humble. That is greatness. How many people can bear the expectations of an entire nation for the span of 24 years? He has. Never during the entire span there was a glimpse of complacency. In fact, as time flew by the hunger, the determination grew in him. As a result the achievements and laurels accumulated would make the entire sporting fraternity envious and proud at the same time.

Today was the day when we witnessed the end of an era, the period that would make us want to re-live our past and be taken over by nostalgia.

“I have seen GOD – he bats at number 4 for India” – Matthew Hayden. This may be the most apt narrative for a man who grew to be larger than the sport itself. I am not sure if GODs walk the earth, but I know this if there is someone closest to GOD, that is him. We salute you Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for you have taught the world that with grit and dedication a human being can achieve the unbelievable! #ThankYouSachin!