A change is needed once again to galvanise and revive this team
It may sound ludicrous to think that a title winning team which reached 100 points in the league didn’t need drastic changes. And yet something was needed. The 7-0 aggregate demolition by Bayern Munich in the Champions League pointed to many issues which Barca have failed to address. This 'decline' was coming since early 2012 yet many would not believe it. Now pretty much everyone agrees that Barcelona need to evolve in terms of personnel and style. As The Whitehouse Address discusses, the change which needs to happen is to move on from the Guardiola era.
It may sound ludicrous to think that a title winning team which reached 100 points in the league didn’t need drastic changes. And yet something was needed. The 7-0 aggregate demolition by Bayern Munich in the Champions League pointed to many issues which Barca have failed to address. This 'decline' was coming since early 2012 yet many would not believe it. Now pretty much everyone agrees that Barcelona need to evolve in terms of personnel and style. As The Whitehouse Address discusses, the change which needs to happen is to move on from the Guardiola era.
The new stage of Barcelona’s future has begun. Neymar, the
most marketed young player in world football has finally moved to Europe. The
jury is still out on the Brasilian wonderkid with several performances against
Barca and England particularly making some ascertain that “he can’t do it
against Europe’s best”. This myopic and ignorant judgement sums up the English
media yet there are doubts that Neymar has not ‘progressed’ these past two
years.
His reluctance (or that of his advisors) to move to Europe earlier has certainly affected his development. Nevertheless we are now going to witness week in week out Neymar’s ability. With many making comparisons between him and Ronaldinho who was a revelation when he moved to the club a decade ago. However are Barca in 2013 really the best place for a player like Neymar?
His reluctance (or that of his advisors) to move to Europe earlier has certainly affected his development. Nevertheless we are now going to witness week in week out Neymar’s ability. With many making comparisons between him and Ronaldinho who was a revelation when he moved to the club a decade ago. However are Barca in 2013 really the best place for a player like Neymar?
What Sanchez learnt
Alexis Sanchez appeared the brightest prospect in world
football a few years ago. Sought out by some of Europe’s top sides he could not
resist the allure of Barcelona. This was just after the 2010/11 season which
saw Barca as arguably the best side in football history. It was a hard task to follow
that season, the decisions of whether to attempt to ‘evolve’ and alter the
style in order to keep it fresh was a difficult one.
Guardiola however took ‘tiki-taka’further, filling the side with even more midfielders and affecting the team's balance. Although initially successful, after the World Club Championship in Dec 2011 it started going downhill for Barca and Guardiola.
Guardiola however took ‘tiki-taka’further, filling the side with even more midfielders and affecting the team's balance. Although initially successful, after the World Club Championship in Dec 2011 it started going downhill for Barca and Guardiola.
The new signings of Fabregas and Sanchez who had started
quite well were now struggling to adapt to the rigid tactical expectations of
Guardiola. Their performances started to suffer because as Sanchez has said playing for Barca “is like learning football all over again.”
Due to these new additions struggling somewhat an overreliance grew on LionelMessi, particularly in David Villa’s absence through injury. And although Barca were ‘unfortunate’ not to get passed Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final, Barca confirmed their issues and growing predictability and one-dimensional style.
Due to these new additions struggling somewhat an overreliance grew on LionelMessi, particularly in David Villa’s absence through injury. And although Barca were ‘unfortunate’ not to get passed Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final, Barca confirmed their issues and growing predictability and one-dimensional style.
That summer Guardiola left and Barca' board wanted to make sure the Pep 'legacy' lived on. Vilanova was promoted to head coach and it was supposed to be seamless transition. This was the wrong decision. Although Barca looked strong at the start of the season, the SuperCup loss to Madrid pointed to those same issues again. Vilanova needed to make good signings to bolster the squad and 'evolve' the team, instead they bought Alex Song who was not what was needed.
When Vilanova was diagnosed again with cancer the team was visibly affected and when he left for treatment it coincided with the toughest schedule of the season. Those games in Vilanova's absence made Barca’s issues more pronounced however the truth was that teams like Madrid, PSG and ultimately Bayern had learnt how to play and defeat Barca. Even Milan got it tactically spot on in the first leg. As strong as the quality on the pitch for Barca, the reliance on which some of the world's best players put on Messi made the team one-dimensional and predictable.
When Vilanova was diagnosed again with cancer the team was visibly affected and when he left for treatment it coincided with the toughest schedule of the season. Those games in Vilanova's absence made Barca’s issues more pronounced however the truth was that teams like Madrid, PSG and ultimately Bayern had learnt how to play and defeat Barca. Even Milan got it tactically spot on in the first leg. As strong as the quality on the pitch for Barca, the reliance on which some of the world's best players put on Messi made the team one-dimensional and predictable.
It's the system, stupid
Neymar’s arrival was a necessity because it promises to
offer Barcelona something different and not since Zlatan has their been this
kind of ‘difference’ brought in. David Villa was perfect for the left forward role yet started to
feel sidelined which affected his morale and relations with certain players.
Neymar promises to fill this position and give a new dimension to the side.
However, the lesson of Alexis Sanchez and to an extent
Zlatan (who is a different sort of player) point to a problem which is
necessary to address. Sanchez and Fabregas have both struggled to adapt to the Barca
‘system’ which has made very good players look lost and abject for much of the
time.
These are not bad players at all yet the system which they are being told to play in is not working for them. In fact the continued and growing reliance on Barca youth products which although is admirable highlights the issue Barca currently face. Their tactics are too complex for many players to fathom without them affecting their style and even 'world class' foreign players struggle to adapt. This is not good for Barca's future.
These are not bad players at all yet the system which they are being told to play in is not working for them. In fact the continued and growing reliance on Barca youth products which although is admirable highlights the issue Barca currently face. Their tactics are too complex for many players to fathom without them affecting their style and even 'world class' foreign players struggle to adapt. This is not good for Barca's future.
As Puyol, Pique, Xavi, Villa, Alves and Valdes all come to the end of their peak at Barca, a new generation is needed to fill theseplaces. This group were effectively Guardiola’s core discounting Messi,
Busquets and Iniesta which he moulded perfectly to suit his needs and style. However changes are needed now and yet in this 'system' it makes you wonder how easily ‘new’ players can fit
in.
With any team, evolution and change is a positive. No change means standing still and standing still means going backwards. And I cannot help but think Barcelona have been standing still for two years now.
With any team, evolution and change is a positive. No change means standing still and standing still means going backwards. And I cannot help but think Barcelona have been standing still for two years now.
Neymar represents change yet he alone cannot improve the
teams style. In fact he promises to be as detrimental to the Barca way (or more
like Guardiola way) than Fabregas was. Neymar enjoys freedom of movement, and although
he has shown an ability to drift left and drive inside (which is where he will
play) he likes to roam. This may be great for Barca's unpredictability yet will he be afforded this kind of freedom at Barca? It may be just what Barca need at this moment.
When Ronaldinho arrived to Barca he was a breathe of fresh
air after several difficult years for the club. He galvanised the fans and the
club and in a matter of years made Barca successful and enjoyable again. Much
credit must go to the Brasilian for the decade which Barca have enjoyed.
Neymar represents a similar beginning. A more dynamic, indulgent and skilful player is exactly what Barca need. Post-tiki-taka needs to go back to the more Dutch 4-3-3 of attacking totalfootball. A change of system is required and this means a change of coach.
Neymar represents a similar beginning. A more dynamic, indulgent and skilful player is exactly what Barca need. Post-tiki-taka needs to go back to the more Dutch 4-3-3 of attacking totalfootball. A change of system is required and this means a change of coach.
Time for a change of coach
In order for this to happen Tito Vilanova must step down as
coach. His illness alone means he should not be coaching and working in such a
high profile, highly stressed environment. Yet in terms of football and his
philosophy, unfortunately he is too much like Guardiola.
When Guardiola
resigned it was probably best for the club, however those years of success had made
him so valuable that if they couldn’t have him they’d take his assistant
instead. It was the wrong choice.
Since Cryuff, Barca's success which although not always consistent, has come from the club being in constant flux and change. It was an evolving beast which has seen different coaches come in to instil their philosophies and styles. These new coaches have most often respected the Cryuff way but brought their own stamp to it.
The Guardiola/Vilanova era was the pièce de résistance of Cruyff’s vision. Yet even the greatest period must evolve. This is where Barcelona are now and which is why change is necessary for the club to progress.
Since Cryuff, Barca's success which although not always consistent, has come from the club being in constant flux and change. It was an evolving beast which has seen different coaches come in to instil their philosophies and styles. These new coaches have most often respected the Cryuff way but brought their own stamp to it.
The Guardiola/Vilanova era was the pièce de résistance of Cruyff’s vision. Yet even the greatest period must evolve. This is where Barcelona are now and which is why change is necessary for the club to progress.
There are two candidates who would be perfect for the new
period of Barca’s history. Firstly Frank De Boer, the Ajax head coach. The
ex-Barca defender knows the club and knows the Ajax/Cryuff philosophy better than most in world football.
His Ajax side has done exceptionally considering their resources and he has
proven capable to coaching in the modern game. De Boer would be perfect to move
Barca forward.
As too would Michael Laudrup. By all accounts Laudrup has been
viewed as a future Barcelona coach for many years and although his managerial
career can be seen as 'patchy' it has seen him coach and experience football all around the world. At Swansea he has proven that he clearly possesses the credentials
and style which makes him a perfect choice for Barca coach. Of course an
ex-player under Cruyff he was the majestic playmaker of the 90’s and a Barca
legend. If anyone could follow Guardiola it is his old teammate.
Now these two men know the club and the culture yet importantly
they have been away for many years. The problem concerning Vilanova is that he
was a major part of the success Barca have had since 2008. Yet that was five
years ago, this will be his sixth as part of the management team. For many teams
that is too long, for Barca that is a lifetime.
It is time for Vilanova to step aside and allow a new coach to come in and evolve the team and style. A move back to a more conventional 4-3-3 would allow the talents of Messi, Neymar, Sanchez and Fabregas to shine more. Iniesta would be the heir-apparent to Xavi and with the additions of new central defenders the team could be freshened up for a new period in their history.
It is time for Vilanova to step aside and allow a new coach to come in and evolve the team and style. A move back to a more conventional 4-3-3 would allow the talents of Messi, Neymar, Sanchez and Fabregas to shine more. Iniesta would be the heir-apparent to Xavi and with the additions of new central defenders the team could be freshened up for a new period in their history.
A change is needed once again to galvanise and revive this team. Neymar offers the first glimmer of change, yet a new coach would be the answer for Barca’s success in the coming years.
The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address
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Excellent article, which makes some fair points. Personally, I feel it's only a matter of time before Frank de Boer becomes Barca boss. Tito's health and wellbeing is the most important thing and I'm sure the club would understand if he were to step aside.
ReplyDeleteBut can you really describe Andres Iniesta (at 29) as "heir-apparent" to Xavi? They're completely different players as Iniesta enjoys finding the space between the lines further up the pitch. This allows him to make those intricate passes into the likes of Messi and, this season, Neymar. The perfect "heir" to Xavi would be Thiago, whom Barca would be mad to let go, he's the most complete midfielder to come out of La Masia in the last decade and has shown for Spain U21 that he can control the tempo of games from a similar position on the pitch to Xavi. They need to sit down with his agent and Father and prevent a move to Man Utd or anyone else.