SPAIN DOWN AND OUT BUT "TIKI-TAKA" IS NOT DEAD

D. Ray Morton, 19th June 2014.

Sergio Busquets with his head in his hands after missing a sitter in Spain's 2-0 defeat to Chile

Defending world champions Spain were sent tumbling out of the World Cup yesterday evening thanks to a 2-0 defeat against a relentless and energised Chilean side. Goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aránguiz were enough to see off la furia roja which leaves them eliminated and having to face Australia in the Group B "rubber spoon" match. The football world has been shocked and many people have announced this as the death of "tiki-taka", the possession-based style that has seen Spain triumph in the past two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

This is not the death of possession football, however. This is the end of an era for a group of great Spanish players. A generation which may not be seen again in a hurry but certainly not the death of a specific playing style. With Carles Puyol, a key defensive figurehead, having retired from the international scene, and a bunch of other main performers such as Iker Casillas, Xavi, Xabi Alonso (and arguably, Andrés Iniesta and Gerard Piqué) going into decline, perhaps it is only natural that this winning cycle should come to an end.

The style entrenched in the Spanish side will not change all of a sudden whether Vicente del Bosque stays on or not. Throughout their youth teams, the same 4-3-3 possession-based football is played. The heirs to the Xavis and Xabi Alonsos will not be that different. A player like Atlético Madrid's Koke, who maybe should have started both games, will come into the team in the build-up to the 2016 Euros and will be expected to blend into the side's philosophy and not rock the boat with a totally different style of play. Perhaps del Bosque hung on to the old guard for too long. How is it that a player like Koke's Atléti team-mate, Gabi, was not even considered despite having the season of his life and winning the Liga BBVA title against all odds. Gabi is no spring chicken at 30 but would he have wilted as easily as, say, Sergio Busquets?

Possession is not dead though. It just needs to adapt. At times this season in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola's attempts to make Bayern Munich the "Barcelona 2008/09 2.0" drew many sighs from viewers. Perhaps that particular brand of possession football is based on having that perfect midfield duo of a Xavi and Iniesta firing on all cylinders with a genius, i.e. Messi, playing ahead of them. Bayern did not have that and ran into trouble when facing top opposition.

Italy's master class of possession against England discussed here demonstrated how important intelligent use of the ball has been, and probably will be, in this World Cup. Their pass accuracy of 93.2% was the highest seen in this competition since 1966. It was not just the heat of Manaus that allowed them that much space either. Croatia hammered Cameroon 4-0 in the same venue last night but only had 51% of the ball. The Italian game has abandoned catenaccio since Cesare Prandelli took over and they may become the new international pass masters for the time being. Legendary Italy centre-back Alessandro Nesta chipped in with his thoughts earlier in the week: "Tiki-taka is perceived as a Catalan invention, but I’ve seen many teams in Italy play tiki-taka style in my career, even before Barcelona" he said. "I remember playing for AC Milan with a midfield composed of Rui Costa, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Rino Gattuso, where we played this style of possession football. Many people say the Spanish are masters of tiki-taka now, but we arrived first" he continued.

Alessandro Nesta insists that AC Milan played their own version of "tiki-taka" well before Guardiola's Barcelona or Spain from 2008 onwards

So Spain will be scampering home with their tails between their legs but do not expect possession to become unfashionable all of a sudden. With most teams having some weakness or another, maybe it will be the side that keeps the ball, provided enough attacking precision is included, that will be lifting that big gold trophy on July 13th.

IVAN RAKITIC IS RED HOT PROPERTY

D. Ray Morton, 2nd June 2014.

Ivan Rakitic was the star of Sevilla's Europa League triumph and was named player of the competition

Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic may be one of European football's hottest properties right now. Having guided his side to Europa League glory, the Croatian international is on the radar of several major clubs in need of a creative midfield presence. Rakitic offers the characteristics of a classic Balkan playmaker in spades. His playing style has been compared to legendary schemers like Zvonimir Boban and Dragan Stojkovic. According to his father, Luka, the top three Spanish clubs of Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid are hot on his trail and hinted that Barça may be his preferred choice should an offer materialise.

His buyout clause comes to about €40m though it is believed that his contract features a reduction of that price were an offer made by a "big club" which could mean reducing his cost to about €25m. With Cesc Fabregas being put up for sale and Xavi now 34 years old, Barcelona will be looking for quality to add to their midfield options. Atlético's Koke may be their number one choice but the Croat would be a fine alternative. Rakitic has a good head on his shoulders, genuinely loves the game and would fit into Barça's possession-based, communal philosophy. This is a guy who owns a minor Swiss club, NK Pajde (Croatian for "Buddies"), as a hobby such is his passion for football.

Many eyes will be on his exploits at this month's World Cup. His Croatian midfield link-up with Luka Modric should keep Brazil on their toes in the tournament's opening game on June 12th. He brings a lot to the table tactically. He can play anywhere across the midfield, in the hole or even as a second striker. He is deadly from long range, retains the ball very well and is highly technical. Last season, in 41 starts, he scored 13 goals and made 12 assists at club level between league and European appearances. At 26 years of age, he is just coming into his prime and, given the right push, can be one of the Europe's best playmakers in the years to come.

Premier League clubs will cast glances at him but there does not seem to be a realistic deal to be made there. Chelsea are already stacked full of attacking midfielders and a manager that distrusts players without defensive priorities as mentioned here in yesterday's article in regards to Eden Hazard. Though Rakitic is versatile and adaptable, he is not exactly a player that excels in the nitty-gritty side of things. Very much an artist as opposed to a destroyer. Manchester City can offer riches but this alone would not interest Rakitic one would think. The allure of a Barcelona or a Real Madrid cannot be matched by Sheik Mansour's wheelbarrows full of cash.

BIG MONEY COULD ULTIMATELY CRUSH ATLÉTICO'S DREAMS

BIG MONEY COULD ULTIMATELY CRUSH ATLÉTICO'S DREAMS

D. Ray Morton, 10th March 2014.

After five games, four draws and finally a win, Atlético Madrid have toppled Barcelona on Europe's grandest stage with last night's 1-0 second leg win at the Vicente Calderón. Manager Diego Simeone has performed miracles with limited resources and a domestic duopoly to contend with. They now join three elite European superpowers in the semi-finals: their local rivals and nine-time winners Real Madrid, the holders Bayern Munich and 2012's winners Chelsea. Atlético are set to battle amongst the giants no doubt.

They shouldn't fear any of the three sides on strictly footballing terms, that is but for Chelsea partly for what I outlined here yesterday, though they will take the rest of the competition in their stride knowing that getting to this stage is an adventure far beyond what they could have imagined at the start of the season. There is, however, the grim reality of what their refreshing football makes us forget, and that is money.

Should Atlético be put with Chelsea in tomorrow's draw, they will be hit with an immediate disadvantage. On-loan Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not be selected should the rojiblancos have to face his parent club. Not that they are contractually forbidden, but because they, according to club president Enrique Cerezo, would have to pay the London club an additional €8m for his services if he were to feature in that specific fixture. Such a loss could be catastrophic considering Courtois' brilliance this season which has left many rating him as one of the finest keepers on the planet.

Courtois' brilliance would be sorely missed were they to face Chelsea

Atlético are cash-strapped. The club are thought to be several hundred million Euro in debt and cannot afford to shell out any payments beyond their extremely limited financial structure. They are not in the position to reject lucrative transfer offers, as evidenced by Radamel Falcao's big money departure to Monaco last summer. This team and its successes so far have not been bought. They have been willed on by Simeone's sheer motivational drive, man management skills and sound tactical knowledge. Not many managers could have set up a side to stifle Lionel Messi in the manner he was last night.

Indeed, Diego Simeone could be one of the most sought after managers in the world come next summer. What he has managed on such a limited budget is simply remarkable and although the Argentine has stated in the past that he would only like to manage teams he has played for, big money offers would surely roll in. There would be temptation in taking over a club with massive resources, a team capable of challenging in Europe season after season without having to deal with loan sharks.

 Simeone's impressive managerial skills will be in high demand next summer

It's not only Simeone who could leave as well. Midfielder Koke has come on in leaps and bounds this season and has attracted the interest of several big clubs capable of vastly increasing his salary. Manchester United are one name that have been repeatedly mentioned. Striker and talisman Diego Costa will almost certainly end up in the Premier League after the World Cup. The core of the team could be completely dismantled with Atlético trying to chip away at their massive debts by having to sell to any prospective buyers with big wallets.

It's sad in a way that Atlético and Simeone aren't in a position to really grow together and see this project blossom the way it would for a more fiscally secure team. Their following in Spain is formidable, probably the country's third most supported club, especially with the demise of Valencia. That was the same Valencia that made it to two Champions League finals before having to sell their stars as the debts racked up. Atlético's coffers are similarly empty. Enjoy this year's vintage because the likelihood is, unfortunately, that it won't be repeated.