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Tactical Breakdown – Unique Football Philosophies at the World Cup Final
The World Cup final is an event like no other as the eyes of the world revolve around the iconic event. It was fitting that both finalists have their own unique way of playing the beautiful game.
The Netherlands have a distinctive football tradition. The Oranje coined “Total Football” during the 1970s in the era of maestro Johan Cryuff. Indeed, much debate has ensued recently about whether the team who reached the World Cup Final of 1974 can be matched by any other Dutch team, regardless of their success. In theory, Total Football was very simple, in practice however it was far more complicated. Their style involved a huge amount of natural talent and technical skill. Each player could play anywhere on the pitch and could attack and defend when required. What ensued was often a majestic brand of football, high in quality and entertainment. Although aesthetically pleasing, they never made the breakthrough by winning a World Cup. In the 1974 final, the Dutch scored early and went about arrogantly toying with their opposition. There was a sting in the tail for them however as West Germany got back into the game and beat their technically stronger opponent 2-1.
The current Netherlands team however is winning, and they do not particularly care how. As a result they have received much backhanded criticism from home, many of whom claim that their team is more reliant on defensive organisation and pragmatism than on their traditional attacking master class. The players are uninterested – they are winning, and football is a winning business.
When we play the numbers game, Holland have not changed completely from their traditional 4-3-3, and now employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, notably retaining their two prized wide players. Football coaching is about finding solutions for problems and Head Coach Bert van Marwijk is a realist. He identified weaknesses in the team, in particular at centre-back. His solution was to make his team stronger in front of his back four, employing two capable holding midfield players in Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong. They are a mixture of cunning, experience and have the ability to destroy opposition attacks, thus masking any potential problems in central defence. Coping with the Spanish attack however is markedly different.
The Spanish have been on the lips of every football pundit over the past number of years and finally came to life at this World Cup against Germany. Up until the semi-final, the Iberians had received criticism, as, although they were keeping the ball, they were not demolishing teams in the way they were expected to. Spain however made the Germans look incredibly second best as the game progressed, as the possession percentage of the Spanish midfield increased. Over-anxious pundits insisted that they would need to change things to turn their possession into goals, but you will not see the Spaniards changing. They, like many of the major footballing nations, have their own philosophy and believe in it unconditionally. They know that eventually their use of the ball and style of play will wear down opponents and they will reap the rewards in the end. It’s all about patience and persistence – they will not panic.
The most ironic aspect of the Spanish performance against the Germans was their goal – a towering header from a corner-kick. If you analyse their play, you will not find them cross the ball too often, as they simply know it is a weakness of theirs, and as an intelligent set-up, they play to their strengths. They possess attacking players that are physically small and simply cannot compete in aerial duels against bigger, more physical defenders. If they cannot compete, they just will not compete and do not cross the ball if they can help it. Usually the Spaniards even take shorter corners as opposed to creating a 50-50 aerial duel in the penalty area. They instead pass and probe, pass and probe, with a wonderful belief in their own ability and philosophy.
Of all the previous World Cup’s, the South African edition has arguably been based on the tactical side of the game like no other. Games, particularly early on, were tighter, as the organisation and fitness of some of the traditionally poorer teams, saw them pull off surprising results and performances. It seems fitting then that the concluding match in Johannesburg on July 11 sees a huge victory for unique footballing philosophies.
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