Comments on: Spain vs Italy: a tactical preview!

By: @Arthurcule

@Arthurcule — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:56:57 +0000

I hate @twelvepointcourier, I mean you guys are hateful writers, not in that sense. But, that sucked! 3-4-3, where are you guys wanting to take Spain to, just enjoy the game, please.

By: rubio 9

rubio 9 — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:59:33 +0000

This concern with words is remarkably besides the point. What is great about this website is it analyzes actions and results. Xavi epitomizes a style of play that for club and country has lead to AMAZING results and has been revolutionary in how people see and think about a game that billions have played for decades. He symbolizes taking chaos out of an 11v11 degree of freedom game with incredible volatility and uncertainty. Xavi was especially tremendous today and expanded his approach as was called for in order to win (and entertain). Not only did he attack and look for heart stabbing through balls but he did an incredible job harrying Pirlo in the midfield. It was a master class. For a guy his age who has played so many games he was marvelous today and lead a brilliant counter struggle against a very game Italy (until of course they lost their 11th man).

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:30:31 +0000

it's not only Xavi's opinion that winning is#1, it's all players'. do you believe the lie that there is a player who doesn't want to win using any tool? they are all humans, they -as well as we-think that winning is the most important thing. i'm not saying that you must cheat to win, but every athlete wishes to win, cos respecting beliefs isn't always appreciated in this world!

By: serko

serko — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:18:37 +0000

how do you explain his complaining constantly about opponent playing style being negative and conservative, to kill the game. while spain is "doing the same" with another tool, possesion, where official stats put half of spain's passes as being backpasses. and suddenly Xavi's opinion is winning is #1, and how you win is not important, and even said people only remember winners, and how you won is not the most important. This goes completely against things he often said the last couple of years. It completely takes away his credibility. it's not about truth, it's about being consistent in your so called "beliefs'

By: serko

serko — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:16:06 +0000

that's fine. but the stats don't lie. official stats put half the possesion of Spain at backpasses! backpasses! that, i no way, reflects how Barca played tiki-taka in their best days. Where the road forward was the most important. To me those stats confirm what i and many people see, possesion football as a conservative, defensive tool. Barely anything to do with offensive football.

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:03:37 +0000

What Xavi does is sayin the truth, directly, but repectfully. the only thing i disagree with him is saying that EE weren't respectful or something like that , just before the euros! it was his only mistake on the media.

By: Crospieler

Crospieler — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:56:10 +0000

What else could he say? "Yes, our style of play is boring?" Come on.
The boys from La Masia, Xavi and co. had learned the tiki-taka style since they were little kidds. It is their philosophy, they were indoctrinated to that style. No one and no critic wil ever change their mind on this…especially as long as they keep wining with that style.
The fact that Xavi protected, basically DvB-s decision and playing tactics, shows his comitment to the coach, to the team, and finally, to the style. With this, he tries to keep the team strong.

By: kai

kai — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:55:46 +0000

I am in support of Serko's opinion, if Barca for some reason decides to start keeping the ball for 90% of a game, without creating any clear cut chances and then score one goal in the 85th minute am pretty sure a lot of these so called die hard barca fans will criticize them. What annoys me most about spain's play at the Euros is their total lack of urgency or pace. The ball didn't move fast enough and even when they were behind Italy in the opening game they hardly displayed any urgency to win that game….very unlike them so far, i hope they put on a show today

By: serko

serko — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:49:50 +0000

Xavi is always polite? well, good going sidetracking from the point anyway. let's be honest, if you crack a note that's even somewhat critical here people like you jump on top to thumb down without giving realistic arguments. Xavi has a long history of talking smack about others, hardly polite, i'm calling him on his hypocrisy. Great player, not so good the past year and this euro, but not "polite" or not consequent by his own words.

By: kai

kai — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:47:55 +0000

Giggs has his PERSONAL demons but am talking about communicating like a professional in the media, i don't care what gigs does in his private life, that's his business

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:38:35 +0000

politness is needed here, but seeing as i know that you don't know what politeness is, i didn't expect anything more

By: serko

serko — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:32:26 +0000

the conservative playing style is not Xavi's fault, but him defending it is his choice, and that leaves me with the right to criticize that. Spain could easily field a great attacking side with depth and wingers. but they don't, it's a decision to play conservatively despite having the means to play attacking. so the world is right to complain because they can do much better, they have the talent and the depth on the bench. if they suddenly play great tonight that's nice, but it doesn't change they played not to lose till now
not so much to absolutely win.

By: serko

serko — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:29:51 +0000

strong argument there… but seeing as i know you sorta consider yourself married like a stalker to xavi i didn't expect anything more

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:28:41 +0000

the only thing i can agree with in your comments is that you should criticize where it is needed, and here it is not!

By: Samwise

Samwise — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:20:23 +0000

where does xavi say this? he doesnt always say the best things at the best times but he is always honest. all i have heard him say is defending against the 'boring spain' accusations, but guess you guys may agree with that as well?
everyone entitled to his opinion so fair enough but gotta disagree! xavi knows that you can play attacking football AND win. granted spain are that attacking anymore but if you have to play arbeloa then you're going to be in trouble!