We've only to cast an eye over the past World Cups to see that Brazil and Italy have been the dominate forces. Why so? I can believe that in a country like Brazil, where the capital, trickle down effect has almost dried up, that poor people who embrace the game can see a way to a better life. I don't know what sort of life the average Italians lives, but it has to be a lot better that that of the Brazilian. Yet both play with flair. Why is this so, and the likes of The UK Nations struggle. Germany is pretty much in the same boat. It's an oversimplification, but it's almost like flair v plod.
I wouldn't really say that the Italians play with flair. They're technically very sound, but not really flashy like the South Americans.
What are the French? I'm not a follower of the game, but the impression I get, is that of the Europeans, Italy and France are the two more flamboyant countries, whereas Germany and England are more methodical.
It's because they are catholic countries. Catholic countries are always better at football. They played football to escape the clutches of the catholic church. FACT.
But if that was the case, **** loads of tin pot countries would have to produce great teams, and maybe Italy would win everything.
Cyclonic, Italy are often seen as not having much flair and being well ordered and sound defensively, although they have produced some brilliant forwards so I guess it's a bit of a win win The 2 biggest 'flair' teams in Europe right now are probably Spain and Germany.
Do these countries go through different stages of play. Spain seems to have heaps of great players, Italy and France too. Every second player in the UK seems to be foreign. What is it about these places that seem to make stars that prop up UK football. In saying that, I'm not taking the piss.
Italy and France? Individually Germany and maybe even England have better players (as do Brazil and Argentina although I assume we're talking bout Europe)
Trypsin, if Germany and England have better players, why is England full of overseas players? Why the old lament when England crash, "where are our decent players?"
Not so any more. Germany are probably the most exciting team to watch of the European nations. Tactical nous, good technique, mental attributes. Germany?
Such as? England has some of the most overpriced and overhyped players but I can't think of many that are technically very good.
They all go through phases depending on who the national coach is, and on how well the domestic leagues are faring. Ten years ago, the Spanish were known as a bunch of relatively good players playing for a dead-end national side (much like England), but their real reputation was for having greasy hair, diving and cheating. Nowadays, they bore their way to victories with robotic pass-and-move football. The Italians are best known for the 'catenaccio' of the 50s-70s which was ultra-defensive and all about playing the ball long and beating the opposition with a counter-attack. Nowadays they're still known for producing strong defenders and aren't afraid to play football in their air or on the ground. That said, they've had flair players like Pirlo, Del Pierro and Balotelli (however I'd still say there's a big difference between them, who can mix things up, and Spanish flair players like Iniesta, David Silva and Xavi who are very one-dimensional). And yeah, 'methodical' is a good word to use for the Germans. They've got a new generation of players now though (many of them from immigrant backgrounds) who bring African pace, Polish grit and Mediterranean flair, so these are exciting times for them. The other superpower at the moment is the Dutch. Traditionally about 'total football' (i.e. similar stuff to what Spain play, but with more interchangeable players) they have now started to use pace and power in a more concrete formation. Did very well to get to the WC final, but they do still have some brilliant players, and I'd rate them far better than England at the moment. The French have been **** for ages. Too many egos.
