Forget Tiki-Taka, Play Samba Style!!!

Tiki-Taka

Football, the beautiful game was earlier considered by many only as a physical game then welcomed a new style of play in 1988. Johan Cruyff, during his tenure as  FC Barcelona manager propagated and implemented tiki-taka style of football to keep possession of the ball. The tiki-taka style of football requires more of a technical skill, movement on and off the ball, vision, passing skills and excellent touch.

Barcelona stuck to that style of football and enjoyed huge success under managers who came after Cruyff like Rijkaard, Guardiola etc.

Tiki-Taka Tackled Hard

Even though it took some time for the top teams in Europe to tackle this style of Football by Barcelona and Spain, eventually they found few methods to counter it.

Chelsea during 2009 champions league semi-finals followed a solid and compact defensive which is called by few as "parking a bus in front of the goal". Luckily Barcelona entered the finals that year with the help of the referee.In 2010 semi-finals of the champions league, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan team double-marked Messi and Xavi from achieving a passing rhythm.Inter went on to win the trophy that year.

With their style of play,Barcelona were able to beat the teams in their league convincingly until Jose Mourinho became Real Madrid's Manager. Barcelona were not able to taste 100% success against Mourinho's men and also lost the league title to Real Madrid in 2011/2012 season. After Celtic FC 's 2-1 defeat of Barcelona in 2012-13 champions league group stage,the fear that the opponents once had to play Barcelona has gone. 

Change of the Guard???

Tiki-taka style of football faced criticism for the fact that sometimes it is boring to watch that style when they are not able to find attacking alternative against the teams with strong defense.

Tiki-taka 's weekness were exposed fully by Bayern Munich in last year's champions league semifinal. Bayern completely outplayed Barcelona in both the legs and they with their physical advantage they didn't allow Barcelona to play their style. 

The Guardian proclaimed that "some suggested Bayern would attempt to outplay Barcelona at short passing football, but ultimately it was a perfect recipe of Barcelona's traditional problems: physicality, counterattacks, ability to defend against a balanced play and as well and ability to create chances against communicating defenses". Bayern's elimination of Barça had Sports Illustrated suggested that "the changing of the guard has begun".

Spain's 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup final once again proved that it is time for Barcelona and Spain to start looking for attacking alternatives.

It is good to see Brazil back to their best with their Samba Style of Football and now Brazil is certainly the favorites to lift the Trophy next year.

"Forget tiki-taka, It's time for Samba".