Being eclectic: Despite Spain’s win, direct football still matters

This entry was also posted @ Sportingo

Euro2008 may not be remembered for overall quality, but as a spectacle it was one of the best. For me the sticking point was how direct football has come to the fore as a strategy that is adept and workable with other styles of play. Germany, against Portugal, in what was considered by some as one of the best German displays since the 1990 world cup, displayed a ruthless edge in combining a direct style of play and passing, with well executed set pieces. They were able to break Portuguese play and did not retreat to their own half, chase the game and defend deep, as did England in previous match-ups with Portugal, or even Holland in their quarter-final clash with Russia.

Gone are the pure schools of football, Holland and Spain adapted strategies which were different to what maybe expected of them. The Dutch ditched the 4-3-3 formation and Spain changed their formations during the tournament, from two strikers to one, depending on the players available. Similarly, Lippi, who has returned as Italy coach, identifies Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United as a source of contemplation and emulation. He argues United do not play in a set way, nor do they pin players in positions, players move from defence to attack in lightening speed, only to for them to retreat back. That is the dynamic nature of the game today, which also requires incredible levels of fitness. If Italy are to adapt and succeed, then Italy should be more than ‘Catenaccio’.

While it is true Spain played possession football, with quick short passes, but that is not the entire story. As Sid Lowe of the Guardian notes,

It was Aragonés who used tiki-taka to protect a defence that appeared suspect (but which he had worked to improve), maintain possession and dominate games, but did not take it to its slow, directionless extreme, as displayed by Barcelona over the last two years. An extreme that simply does not suit Villa or Torres, the men providing the cutting edge. Aragonés recognised the need to be effective as well as aesthetic. He admitted that Spain had played Italy on the break and of Spain’s first six goals, five came from a direct break (even the occasional aimless punt), one from a set-play – the very antithesis of tiki-taka. Xavi’s goal against Russia in the semi-final was the first real tiki-taka moment. Even Torres’ goal in the final owed as much to pace, faith and physique as touch and class.

Spain do have their style of play and as a general ethos it remains. However it is not short passing football in its purest form. Whatever formation a manager plays, the players on the field are the ones that see an opening, whenever and however it comes. As Lippi noted, players need to be adept and they are the ones that can change their game when required.

If England are to learn from this tournament, then an intelligent, and not speculative ball from the back is still an effective strategy. Set pieces are still important as well. The difference is that England should also stamp their authority on a game, to press and break the play of the opposition. Yes, that requires England keeping possession — that is common sense, but that is not the whole story. If anything the German game against Portugal offers an ideal blueprint for Capello to consider, in a breathtaking first half Germany not only scored twice but also harried Portugal every time they regrouped for another move. Had it not been for poor defending, Germany could have won more comfortably. Do England have the players to do that? In the midfield they possibly do, but the fullbacks in such a scenario should have the ability to move up quickly, as there would be little space in the centre. The Germans, on the day, had those players, specifically on the left. I have always thought that there lies England’s weakness, they do not have natural attacking full backs. Micah Richards showed potential when selected for England, but he must develop his defensive game.

After Euro2008, we can say direct football is very much alive. Spain’s victory was not solely a victory for the passing game, but also a game that thrived on the gritty defensive midfielders (in the likes of Senna) and, ironically, that long pass from the back.