Originally Posted by
McrHibee
The football played by Barca and Spain during that era was, literally, second to none. With your Xavis and Iniestas proving flawless, it was a joy to behold watching them in full flow; the problem was that every coach in the world thought football could be won on percentages of possession, and teams imitated the style without the substance of your Iniestas, Xavis and Messis. The problem for Spain, and Barca - and every imitator under the sun - is they don't have Xavi and Iniesta at their peak pulling the strings any more, and so the show's over. What a midfield pair they were, though.