A TALE OF TWO TEAMS

Sometimes ago, like many of you, I strongly believed that some teams are "killing the art of football" and hence when team "park the bus" like we use the cliché, against team like Arsenal and Barcelona (teams that play with flair and slick passing), we call them anti-football but we forget that the game in itself is a game and like any other game the main aim is achieving success at the end borne out of out-wighting or counter planning or countering the opponent's plan. Tearing a leaf from the ART OF WAR- winning is about employing a strategy that best suits you to achieve your success being it winning or avoiding defeat. Knowing your own strength and weakness vis a vis that of your opponent and using either to your own advantage. So it's not a team's fault playing to win or avoid defeat as long as it falls within the rules and regulation that guides the game (in this case FIFA's status). Its pertinent to note that rules here does not encourage or involve modern day cheating like violent conduct (see Terry and Joe Barton), Diving (see Ashley Young) and simulation (see Drogba, Busquet, Dani Alves etc). Its important that every coach or team has a repertoire of strategy to draw from. Having a plan B, C or even D if need be is very key, absence of which leads to a wholesome of stale upon which others can counter to conquer. The issue with  F.C Barcelona now is not lack of style or talent but rather they don't have a plan B, they stick to the passing all night till the other team break down strategy (even my team arsenal has the same issue maybe just mixed with a little English flair) its been working all this long while but the truth is that, No strategy is exclusive or void of cracking down. One team can pass all through but another can defend same period... Its all tactical as long as each has the manpower to execute its own strategy. Never seen Guardiola that anxious and worried in a long while. Chelsea on the two nights did what they had to do to get the result they got. Whether they were average, better or as good as  F.C Barcelona  is inconsequential... Winning with your strategy is.  F.C Barcelona  has not played with an outright or masking No 9 since Patrick Kluivert, Eto and even David villa which I believe affects their lack of a plan B. When teams buckle down and 'park the bus' its important you have another route (long balls, set pieces, buy a lottery ticket by taking shots while you hope for a deflection etc). Chelsea did a good job and were also lucky hence, deserved the aggregate win. F.C Barcelona didn't do anything wrong on the premise of their philosophy as they stay true to their style and plan (unfortunately their only plan) do they deserve to loose? maybe not but you don't win them all and....seriously I saw it coming not just against Chelsea but against even stoke or any team carved and disciplined enough to defend and wait for counters. It's a tale of two teams- an artistic passing and attacking team versus a dogged discipline defending and concentration. Is it a case of a gradual end of an era or a temporary blip versus a case of a start of an era of defending to take your chances when they come?
Time and Only time will tell.


Written By:
Seth Ogungbemi