Numancia 1 - 0 Barcelona: What Exactly Is Attacking Football?
Sunday, 31 August 08, 09:16 PM · Comments(4)
I saw two things wrong, one of them for which Pep was at fault. First, Pep's error was to start Yaya. It would've been far better to start Keita. Yaya is a classic holding midfielder with his strengths being defensive. Numancia were just promoted from Segunda A, so while it was very generous to consider their possible offensive prowess the realities were far likelier that Numancia would be much more concerned with FCB's attacking potential. To the point where the game plan for the promoted club might very well be to hunker down in defense, unleash the counterattack when possible, and see if they can ride out the blaugrana storm to a draw. Under these circumstances Yaya becomes redundant, and as it turned out he was. Keita has better attacking tools than the man from the Ivory Coast, so it made more sense for him to start as added support for what was largely going to be a Barcelona assault against a densely packed final third of the pitch.
The other fault was Henry. There were other players who could be blamed, but the Frenchman really typified the case. Henry just didn't show up to play. There he was on the wing with passes coming, and it almost looked like he had to think it over before deciding that, naw, it wasn't worth making the run after all. Time and again the ball was sent Henry's way in the box and he'd watch it either fly over or roll ahead of him, then he'd take a few steps in that direction like an afterthought, and finish the sequence with a 'thumb's up' for the service.
While Henry was the most glaring example of 'lights on but nobody's home!' he wasn't the only one. It just took a little while longer before the others started zoning out. I could point out Abidal, Alves and Eto'o as other examples. In fact, why was Abidal with Puyol on the right when Martinez showed up on the left to put Numancia ahead in the 13th minute? For all I know, there could be some bizarre marking scheme amongst the Barça players so I'll hold off judgement on that issue. And given how many times we see this sort of thing, who knows, maybe there is one. A bizarre marking scheme, I mean.
The real problem I saw in this match was one everybody, players and coach alike, may have been at fault for. It was the lack of any variety in the attack. Every surge forward seemed to start at the same pace, follow the same passing lanes, and work the same triangles. Shots at goal were largely restricted to inside the box and only after a clever series of tight passes. There were long balls here and there but it was often into a closed corner.
If Barcelona are going to claim themselves adherents of attacking football, then they better embrace the whole enchilada. For one, use the counterattack too! Fully exploit ball turnover with explosive counterattacks, even launching with the long ball when prudent. Play the counterattack for all it's worth, practice the varieties. Also, play more directly with even greater dribbling at times. Tiki taka is impressive to watch, but can be predictable after awhile. A defender expecting a pass is easier to beat on the dribble. And, for pete's sake, take more shots! Work the keeper, force him to make the save. As long as the shot's on target that means the goalkeeper must respond, and if he does, then the chance exists for a favorable spill or redirection. Not even the best organized defense can anticipate chance. So take it!
I don't think I've said anything Pep and his players wouldn't know, but sometimes people know so much they tend to forget a lot more. Reality is that there's a place and time for everything, the trick is in knowing when to exploit it. The only way to know that is to practice. Tiki taka is fine, but it's only one aspect of attacking football. Knowing how to apply the full spectrum of attacking football is an art form all its own.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
Hey Greg, nice to see about ur blog , just just a few things. Its not a good idea mix FCBarcelona flag with spanish flag. THere has been a sad and long story of repression of spanish stablishment against FCB for long long time. Even they killed one of the FCB presidents during the civil war. I mean, its ur blog, of course, but believe me, its not a good idea at all. Just try to find one single spanish flag on FCB stadium on a match day.... Not even one... think about it!
I know the history of Catalunya, search, so the banner wasn't done in ignorance. Consider the Spanish seal and how it relates to FCB's badge. Spanish seal on one side, FCB badge on the right. They aren't together, but they are on the same banner. FCB plays in La Liga, so it follows there should be the Spanish seal. I'm no fan of Real Meh or the Franco era, but the histories of Spain and Catalunya stretch much further back than a dictator who came to power prior to WWII. Spain and Catalunya have benefited from one another on many occasions throughout the centuries. Indeed, they have even profited from the relationship. Catalunya may not be Spain, but it has been entwined with the other cultures of the Iberian peninsula so long that to act as if suddenly there is no significance between the two is, actually, an act of ignorance. Personally, I feel once the 'olor' of Franco has dissipated with sufficient time these sentiments held by more than a few Iberian cultures may not be quite as fervent. And, while one should revel in one's cultural identity, it's cultural diversity that makes for a more sensible and pragmatic polity. And as you must know, 'seny' is a good thing, no?
4 Comments · Add yours
Perhaps Barcelona have the "so-called" greatest players in their squad but i don'think they can gel together well and produce exquisite football.They should accept and embrace criticisms for the opening loss coz just ain't good enough!!
Just look at Arsenal and learn how they play football,their fast moving,great pace and technically well techniques just exceptional and fantistic to watch!!
It's a different league where Arsenal dwell, but I've admired their play under Wenger. Barça need to get out of this one-trick pony attack deal and explore all the ways of disorganizing an organized defense. I do agree a little pace wouldn't be a bad thing for the Blaugrana.