Argentinian passport: Lionel Messi. Photo: Carlos RMSpain’s failure to convert talent into entertainment has gathered criticism after the dire semi-final draw against Portugal. Considering the underlying links to Barcelona, that was always inevitable.
The accusations of Spain as ‘boring’ are both ridiculous and understandable. Tactically, a set-up of six playmakers without a striker is simply not structured for progressive football. Its emphasis on ball retention is defensive in nature, designed to control without taking risks.
Yet the ill-wanted tag is also understandable. Not because Spain’s players can do much differently, but because the underlying expectations of ‘tiki-taka’ football are nearly impossible to fulfil. Spain are essentially Barcelona with reinforcements from Real Madrid, and are expected to perform thereafter. When they do not, the gap between expectation and reality creates reactions.
Can this attitude be justified? Analysing the player positions bar the lone forward, Spain are as strong as Barcelona. If you accept that view, the front position effectively becomes the difference between the sides. Does this mean Lionel Messi is the difference between tiki-taka being ‘boring’ and ‘beautiful’?Spain v Bar?a
While Vicente del Bosque has created a similar system to that of Pep Guardiola, the forward role remains unresolved. Cesc Fàbregas and David Silva have tried to emulate Messi? – without success. The alternative, a more direct striker, has often lead to isolation – Fernando Torres is hardly involved in Spain’s build-up play, while del Bosque’s decision to start álvaro Negredo against Portugal brought us the dullest game of the tournament.
While the two sides’ tactics do vary – Barcelona deploy wingers/forwards in David Villa and Alexis Sanchez – it is doubtful whether a trio of Pedro, Jesús Navas and Fàbregas would have the same effect for Spain. Replace Fàbregas with a striker and you lose the numerical midfield advantage. In short, Lionel Messi is unique in being able to overload midfield while simultaneously threaten the back-line like a centre-forward. Neither Fàbregas, Torres nor Negredo can.
Cesc Fàbregas: is not Messi. Photo: thesportreview.comMissing ingredient
This is fundamentally the reason behind Spain’s ineffectiveness. A regular possession-based 4-3-3 system can work without Messi if the passing tempo is higher – from the time opponents lose the ball, the gaps will be larger and easier to exploit, thus posing lower demands to technical ability. However, with Spain’s exceptionally low tempo, the opposition is always organised. They can shuffle, stay narrow and condense space.
Such working conditions can only work with a special player like Messi. The lack of space means you need exceptional agility and rapidness. The slow tempo means you need an element of genius and unpredictability to unsettle opponents; something à la Andrés Iniesta’s dribbling qualities, but with an added goal threat. While Messi may not be unique in possessing this (though none as obviously as good), it is clear Spain do not have this kind of player.
Conceptually, this gives Vicente del Bosque a dilemma. Given Spain’s midfield talent, keeping a possession-oriented style is a no-brainer, yet the absence of that distinctive forward to convert domination into clear-cut chances makes Spain’s attacking balance flawed – the team creates conditions for itself in which it habitually fails to produce chances. In contrast, the system of Barcelona can justify its uniqueness because it is built around a unique player. It is adapted to Messi. Without him, it loses its sting.
Summary
It is difficult to blame del Bosque for his set-up – it is fundamentally pragmatic, emphasising the strengths of his players while countering its lack of a suitable forward with patience. Yet with the awareness of Barcelona’s influence on the national team, there seems to be an expectation – unfairly so – that the Catalans’ glittering football should be reproduced automatically at the international stage. Spain may be boring but, compared to a team containing Messi, who wouldn’t be?
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Pictures
Lionel Messi: Carlos RM
Cesc Fàbregas: thesportreview.com
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