Comments on: Too slow, too predictable — the Spanish style is past its sell-by date http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/ World Soccer views and news Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:05:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: The Little Club That Could Fights On - UEFA Cup - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337521 The Little Club That Could Fights On - UEFA Cup - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:54:46 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337521 [...] Madrid - and supposedly Spain - has hit the front pages like a hurricane, making it seems as though Spanish football is “dead” and that this year has been an utter failure on the continent for the country. Yet here’s [...] […] Madrid - and supposedly Spain - has hit the front pages like a hurricane, making it seems as though Spanish football is “dead” and that this year has been an utter failure on the continent for the country. Yet here’s […]

]]> By: La Liga: Why the Sky Isn’t Falling in Spain « Center Holds It http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337509 La Liga: Why the Sky Isn’t Falling in Spain « Center Holds It Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:52:01 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337509 [...] there, complaining about the terribleness that is happening in Spain. Reuters Soccer Blog ran a story about how the Spanish game is losing its touch as of late, and cites Madrid’s as it’s [...] […] there, complaining about the terribleness that is happening in Spain. Reuters Soccer Blog ran a story about how the Spanish game is losing its touch as of late, and cites Madrid’s as it’s […]

]]> By: j http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337367 j Sun, 09 Mar 2008 02:10:43 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337367 how can anyone argue that the Italian League is not the best in the world?? world cup holders, golden ball holder, champions league holders. Zlatan, Kaka, Totti....its the best league how can anyone argue that the Italian League is not the best in the world??

world cup holders, golden ball holder, champions league holders. Zlatan, Kaka, Totti….its the best league

]]> By: Daily Dose.: 3.8.08 - Daily Dose - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337360 Daily Dose.: 3.8.08 - Daily Dose - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:57:50 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337360 [...] Spanish footy is a has-been (Reuters Soccer Blog) [...] […] Spanish footy is a has-been (Reuters Soccer Blog) […]

]]> By: Simon http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337266 Simon Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:18:16 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337266 Hi Vincent, The point I was trying to make is not the past performances of Spanish teams, but what has happened the last two years in the Champions league and this season to a certain degree in both European competitions. Two seasons ago, Barca played a far more intense pacy passing game, but now they all too often resort to lateral passes which give opposition defences too much time to get into position. Obviously the individual brilliance of Messi and Eto'o can often make up for this, but the team as a whole has played poorly this season. Sevilla are one of exceptions as they still try to play an intense, quick-breaking style as do Getafe and Espanyol, but too many other teams lack that speed. I'm certainly not advocating the long-ball tactics of some English teams, just saying that the patient possession football of many Spanish teams means that are caught out by teams like Roma who play quality footbal with real pace. And you never know there might just be a Spanish double in Europe again with Barca taking the Champions League and Getafe the UEFA Cup! Hi Vincent,
The point I was trying to make is not the past performances of Spanish teams, but what has happened the last two years in the Champions league and this season to a certain degree in both European competitions.
Two seasons ago, Barca played a far more intense pacy passing game, but now they all too often resort to lateral passes which give opposition defences too much time to get into position. Obviously the individual brilliance of Messi and Eto’o can often make up for this, but the team as a whole has played poorly this season.
Sevilla are one of exceptions as they still try to play an intense, quick-breaking style as do Getafe and Espanyol, but too many other teams lack that speed.
I’m certainly not advocating the long-ball tactics of some English teams, just saying that the patient possession football of many Spanish teams means that are caught out by teams like Roma who play quality footbal with real pace.

And you never know there might just be a Spanish double in Europe again with Barca taking the Champions League and Getafe the UEFA Cup!

]]> By: Vincent http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337262 Vincent Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:53:09 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337262 This argument is ridiculous. Barcelona won the Champions League two years ago (beating Arsenal and eliminating Chelsea along the way). Sevilla won the UEFA Cup two yers ago (thrashing Middlebrough in the final). Sevilla won the UEFA Cup last year in a final contested by two Spanish teams. If the pacey and long-ball tactics of EPL teams is the way forward, how come EPL teams have won nothing in Europe in 10 years except Liverpool? Obviously, the pace of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Middlesborough did not help against Barcelona and Sevilla, respectively. This argument is ridiculous.

Barcelona won the Champions League two years ago (beating Arsenal and eliminating Chelsea along the way).

Sevilla won the UEFA Cup two yers ago (thrashing Middlebrough in the final).

Sevilla won the UEFA Cup last year in a final contested by two Spanish teams.

If the pacey and long-ball tactics of EPL teams is the way forward, how come EPL teams have won nothing in Europe in 10 years except Liverpool?

Obviously, the pace of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Middlesborough did not help against Barcelona and Sevilla, respectively.

]]> By: Mark http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337124 Mark Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:28:56 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337124 While I agree that the slow build up play favoured at Real and Barca has been found wanting, only saved by the brilliance of individual performances in recent times, it doesn't tell the whole story of Spain's problems. When Real were taking all before them in the league a couple of months ago it was when sides had a go at them and Real picked them off with swift counter-attacks. Real then were being criticised for not dominating games and for playing 'boring' football that was very effective. Real pummelled Roma in the away leg with some invigorating attacking play, but were undone by some clinical finishing from a streetwise Roma. Roma did to them what they have being doing to other sides back home. Surely the point is that the Primera Liga is not very strong at the moment. There are only two teams with large enough squads capable of putting together the consistency necessary to win the title -- Real and Barca. Real and Barca are not really tested in the domestic league. They make mistakes and are rarely punished until they meet teams like Roma in the latter stages of competitions and fail. You are right about Real's over reliance on Casillas and Van Nistelrooy. Raul is no number 9 these days and behind him there is only Soldado who is a true centre forward, and he never gets a chance. Higuain and another virtual outcast Saviola cannot lead the line. Real's squad is good enough to win the current Primera Liga, but not to compete in the latter stages of the Champions League. Schuster has been unable to raise the side to play the type of football demanded by fans/media in big games, when the patient counter-attacking style has actually served them well in low-profile league encounters, where they are only occasionally shown up when their opponents make the most of their chances. While I agree that the slow build up play favoured at Real and Barca has been found wanting, only saved by the brilliance of individual performances in recent times, it doesn’t tell the whole story of Spain’s problems.

When Real were taking all before them in the league a couple of months ago it was when sides had a go at them and Real picked them off with swift counter-attacks. Real then were being criticised for not dominating games and for playing ‘boring’ football that was very effective.

Real pummelled Roma in the away leg with some invigorating attacking play, but were undone by some clinical finishing from a streetwise Roma. Roma did to them what they have being doing to other sides back home.

Surely the point is that the Primera Liga is not very strong at the moment. There are only two teams with large enough squads capable of putting together the consistency necessary to win the title — Real and Barca.

Real and Barca are not really tested in the domestic league. They make mistakes and are rarely punished until they meet teams like Roma in the latter stages of competitions and fail.

You are right about Real’s over reliance on Casillas and Van Nistelrooy. Raul is no number 9 these days and behind him there is only Soldado who is a true centre forward, and he never gets a chance. Higuain and another virtual outcast Saviola cannot lead the line.

Real’s squad is good enough to win the current Primera Liga, but not to compete in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Schuster has been unable to raise the side to play the type of football demanded by fans/media in big games, when the patient counter-attacking style has actually served them well in low-profile league encounters, where they are only occasionally shown up when their opponents make the most of their chances.

]]> By: footballfilter.com http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337112 footballfilter.com Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:26:01 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337112 <strong>Too slow, too predictable — the Spanish style is past its sell-by date - Reuters Soccer Blog</strong> A blog on how the Spanish style of play is on its way out...based on Real Madrid's 4th successive knock out in the first round of the champs league - so not Spanish style of play just Real Madrids then.... Too slow, too predictable — the Spanish style is past its sell-by date - Reuters Soccer Blog

A blog on how the Spanish style of play is on its way out…based on Real Madrid’s 4th successive knock out in the first round of the champs league - so not Spanish style of play just Real Madrids then….

]]> By: Spanish Fry http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337106 Spanish Fry Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:29:52 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/06/too-slow-too-predictable-the-spanish-style-is-past-its-sell-by-date/#comment-337106 Nice article - I totally agree. For the last few years Real Madrid have been slow and predictable. They tend to keep the ball well but at the end of the day do very little with it. As an Arsenal fan I'm privileged to watch my team move and play with great verve and pace and Madrid need to change the pace of their style a little bit to match that of Barcelona or even Sevilla. They looked very sluggish against a slicker, more determined Roma. Nice article - I totally agree. For the last few years Real Madrid have been slow and predictable. They tend to keep the ball well but at the end of the day do very little with it. As an Arsenal fan I’m privileged to watch my team move and play with great verve and pace and Madrid need to change the pace of their style a little bit to match that of Barcelona or even Sevilla. They looked very sluggish against a slicker, more determined Roma.

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