In all the years I’ve watched football I don’t think I ever witnessed a match that sent shockwaves around the world quite like last night’s match between the Netherlands and Spain. A defeat for Spain is not completely rare as Switzerland proved 4 years ago, but the manner of this result was utterly appalling in every sense. This was sheer annihilation, obliteration a blood bath – whatever you want to call it.
Tiki taka as we know it is surely dead now? Teams across the European continent and even in South America are deploying much more effective, aggressive and direct styles of play, most notably displayed in the form of the German gegenpressen system, produced by Dortmund, perfected by Heynkes Bayern. This season however we saw a lessening of such influences at Bayern and in place of the rather more thrilling style of play exuded by Heynckes men last year, this year we got something that was ineffective and rather dull. Predictable even, as their 1st leg of their quarter final against Manchester United showed. I think the styles portrayed by Chile and to an extent Brazil (I enjoy their obsession with trying to win the ball back in the attacking third) is a much more progressive albeit aggressive style and I hope it's a style that succeeds and it's a style I'm sure will succeed at this tournament as I'm backing both to go far.
I'd be amazed if this Spain went on to recover and win the tournament. They looked like they lacked the firepower and the drive after they went behind. The mental effort to fight for a 4th consecutive major tournament victory appears to be absent. Their aura has been dismantled in one foul swoop. Looking at the mess that was Spain's defence last night I'm sure Chile will smell blood and have a real opportunity to send them packing when they face each other next week. I'd be all for it to be honest. While I've found Spain admirable these last few years it's been impossible to love them. Even in victory there's always been a robotic even cold element to them. Compared to other great football teams in the past, whether it's the Brazil side from 1970 or even the trophyless Dutch side of the 70s, they lack charisma and character and that was borne out for all to see last night when they went behind. They looked gutless and clueless and no one wanted to take leadership of the situation they were in. That's the worst thing of all about last night - it damaged their legacy.
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