Can Barcelona learn from Stoke City? They were found wanting in both legs against Chelsea, whose more pragmatic style proved more effective.
There has been some consternation coming out of Catalonia about the manner of the defeat which Barcelona endured at the hands of Chelsea in the Champions league semi-final earlier this week.
It is not the fact that they lost, its Chelsea’s negative tactics which they have an issue with.
Cesc Fabregas went as far as saying that despite getting beat, at least Barca stuck to their footballing principles. I think this totally misses the point.
Teams have to play to their strengths. Barca’s passing game is second to none, and when it is in full flow, it is a special sight to witness. Not every team has the players, resources and technical aptitude Barcelona possess.
Arsenal play a good passing game, as do Swansea and more sides are looking to play football on the floor, trying to emulate the Barca model.
Chelsea’s rearguard action on Tuesday was just as much a lesson in how to play football as anything Barca have produced. It was just as beautiful in its own way.
Playing to a team’s strengths is how you win football games, nullifying the oppositions best players and having the right tactics for the right occasion.
Chelsea will not play like they did against Barca very often in the Premier League. They saw an opportunity of how to adapt, and they carried their plan out to perfection. That is footballing principles.
In the Premier League, teams should look to play to their strengths. Stoke City epitomise this ethos. Often derided for their lack of subtlety and direct, physical approach, Stoke know the game that they want to play, a direct high octane combination of strength and skill. Big players making their presence felt.
Their footballing principals may be different to those of Barcelona, but they can be just as exciting. Contrasting styles, playing to your strengths and combating the other team is what makes great games.
It has been proven that you don’t need 75% of possession to win a game. If you are more effective with the 25% of possession you have a more potent team.
Fabregas, in this case is wrong. In this case, Chelsea’s footballing mindset out smarted Barcelona’s. Everyone can see they had no plan B which is why they had to stick to what they knew, and what they were comfortable with.
May be it is time for them to look at how other teams play when they need to force a result. May be, there is something that Barcelona can learn from the Stoke City’s of this world.
image: © jeroen_bennink
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
