The Decline & Fall of Tika-Taka?

[MWHIBBIES]

I really hope that Barcelona side isn't remembered by calling it "tiki-taka"...

I think if you went to Spain and talked about those teams (Spain 2008-12 and Barcelona 2008-12) and used the words "tiki-taka" youd get laughed at. It's a silly name that means nothing, like calling the German national side "die mannshaft".

[WeeRussell]

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****ty patter? The play in Spain is mainly rather plain? Diva Espana? Boreusrepublik Deutschland? Don't play a false No 9 for me Argentina?That's all I've got.

Glad to see the back of it. I always found it monotonous to watch. It seemed to work quite well though, until it suddenly didn't.

Even the genuine tiki-taka styles mentioned above?

[Dan Sarf]

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I really hope that Barcelona side isn't remembered by calling it "tiki-taka"...

I think if you went to Spain and talked about those teams (Spain 2008-12 and Barcelona 2008-12) and used the words "tiki-taka" youd get laughed at. It's a silly name that means nothing, like calling the German national side "die mannshaft".

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[One Day Soon]

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Genuinely anyone who didn’t enjoy the football Spain and Barcelona played between 2008-2012 and saying they’re glad to see the back of it is away with the fairies. Mental.

The two greatest sides you’ll ever see, club and country. If you don’t enjoy watching that then I’d suggest finding a different sport.

Cruyff era Holland, Pele's Brasil (esp 1970), Cruyff's Ajax, Gullitt's Milan and - though it pains me to say it - the Real Madrid of the late 50s. All at least as good and probably better than Barcelona/Spain. The Dalgleish era and onward Liverpool should probably be included too. Maybe you need to take a slightly longer historical view?

It is, as they say, all about opinions.

[MWHIBBIES]

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Yes, it's a daft publicly name being used in that photo for daft publicly.

[Famous Fiver]

My abiding highlight is when we tikka takkad through the Gorgie rearguard seven times in the one afternoon.

Unforgettable.

[My_Wife_Camille]

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I really hope that Barcelona side isn't remembered by calling it "tiki-taka"...

I think if you went to Spain and talked about those teams (Spain 2008-12 and Barcelona 2008-12) and used the words "tiki-taka" youd get laughed at. It's a silly name that means nothing, like calling the German national side "die mannshaft".

Really? Not saying you’re necessarily wrong but the first time I ever heard the term was when Xavi used it in an interview about 10 years ago. So much so that I’ve always associated the phrase with him specifically

[Pretty Boy]

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Really? Not saying you’re necessarily wrong but the first time I ever heard the term was when Xavi used it in an interview about 10 years ago. So much so that I’ve always associated the phrase with him specifically

I think it was a Spanish commentator who 1st used the phrase bit you're right that Xavi and Iniesta have both referenced it in interviews.

[wookie70]

I can't stand it so hope it is on its way out. At least a hump up the park can lead to some excitement.

[Bishop Hibee]

The rise of the set piece as championed by Liam “the deliverer” Henderson 🇳🇬🏆

[J-C]

It was never about just keeping the ball for the sake of it, it was ball retention to carve out an opening, Barca did it with pace and guile, their players were quite simply fabulous at the time, controlled build up and precise defence splitting passes and attacked with pace on the counter when opponents lost the ball. Look at Man City right now, the new Barca similar style, 65-70% possession, are they boring jeez they were outstanding this year at times, Guardiola instilling the same style as he did at Barca.

[DJ HIBBY]

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That's the one Still thoroughly enjoy the highlights every time they appear on the wee sky sports programmes to this day.

I had the pleasure of being at that game, was unbelievable and amazing to see masters such as Iniesta and Xavi make Real Madrid looks like hearts! Barca fans were giving it tight to Mourinho all game

[WeeRussell]

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Really? Not saying you’re necessarily wrong but the first time I ever heard the term was when Xavi used it in an interview about 10 years ago. So much so that I’ve always associated the phrase with him specifically

And he's probably the player that epitomises the understanding and performing of that style of play.... for all I favoured Iniesta as a midfielder.

[jacomo]

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Cruyff era Holland, Pele's Brasil (esp 1970), Cruyff's Ajax, Gullitt's Milan and - though it pains me to say it - the Real Madrid of the late 50s. All at least as good and probably better than Barcelona/Spain. The Dalgleish era and onward Liverpool should probably be included too. Maybe you need to take a slightly longer historical view?

It is, as they say, all about opinions.

But that’s the point though, isn’t it? Some successful football teams are so dominant that they don’t just win trophies but they define a style of play, and everyone else either copies them or works out how to spoil their game.

Tiki taka absolutely belongs up there with the best. By any standard, the 2008-2012 achievements of Barcelona and Spain were exceptional.

The haterz have it wrong.

The 3-3 game between Spain and Portugal at this World Cup is widely regarded as one of the best matches of the tournament, and Spain were in proper tiki taka mode that night.

Football tactics are about innovation and reaction. No one style can dominate forever. Yet tiki taka still has a huge influence a decade on.

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

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But that’s the point though, isn’t it? Some successful football teams are so dominant that they don’t just win trophies but they define a style of play, and everyone else either copies them or works out how to spoil their game.

Tiki taka absolutely belongs up there with the best. By any standard, the 2008-2012 achievements of Barcelona and Spain were exceptional.

The haterz have it wrong.

The 3-3 game between Spain and Portugal at this World Cup is widely regarded as one of the best matches of the tournament, and Spain were in proper tiki taka mode that night.

Football tactics are about innovation and reaction. No one style can dominate forever. Yet tiki taka still has a huge influence a decade on.

Also overlooked, is the importance of high pressing and counter pressing that Barca really brought to prominence in that era. Tiki taka used in a derogatory way suggests stale and boring, but that team were anything but and styles like that used by Liverpool now have a link back to the high press that Barca used. It's just evolved slightly.

[IberianHibernian]

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I think it was a Spanish commentator who 1st used the phrase bit you're right that Xavi and Iniesta have both referenced it in interviews.

It was first used by a Spanish commentator who usually commentated on American basketball but also worked with football when his channel covered WC . His channel La Sexta had 2006 WC as an opening event to promote the channel and expression stuck when Spain team changed style after WC and defeat in Belfast in a qualifier . A very original commentator in all sports who sadly passed away not long after his expression became famous .

[monarch]

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I can't stand it so hope it is on its way out. At least a hump up the park can lead to some excitement.

Welcome to Hibs.net Craig.

[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.

[we are hibs]

I've never enjoyed watching a team that wasn't hibs as much as Barcelona when Messi iniesta and Xavi were at it. Some of the quick passing and one two's were out of this world. I remember watching arsenal doing to Barcelona what Barcelona had done for so long to others. Wilshere ran the midfield against Busquets, Xavi and iniesta that night.

[snooky]

I think England's biggest asset is that they play with energy and directness. With a bit of luck, they could win it, although I still fancy France.

[Eyrie]

Tika taka done correctly is very watchable, with quick passes and incisive movement to create openings combined with close pressing to immediately recover possession if the ball is lost.

Tika taka done badly becomes possession for the sake of it with no threat to the opposition, and about as exciting as having a non-restricted view seat in the half-finished stand at the PBS.

[MWHIBBIES]

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Really? Not saying you’re necessarily wrong but the first time I ever heard the term was when Xavi used it in an interview about 10 years ago. So much so that I’ve always associated the phrase with him specifically

It is just a daft name created by a journalist to describe Spains passing years ago, before Peps Barcelona. It doesn't actually mean anything. It is nothing to do with the actual philosophy that Barcelona implemented when Pep took over.

[McrHibee]

You're definitely right there pal, with the journalists' mantra... for me, living in Spain at the time following Rayo Vallecano, watching the national team or Barca was just the fruition of Johann Cruyff's perception of Total Football. And it was beautiful to see. Even when the team you were following became the victim.

[hibsbollah]

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It is just a daft name created by a journalist to describe Spains passing years ago, before Peps Barcelona. It doesn't actually mean anything. It is nothing to do with the actual philosophy that Barcelona implemented when Pep took over.

It does mean something, its the word used to describe the style I'd get your irritation if the word was in some way pejorative, but it's not. Good a word as any other.

[CropleyisGod]

Surely both short passing in tight spaces and long passing, to take advantage of big spaces, are both about speed of thought, speed of action and control in execution? I. Cathro

[GreenOnions]

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But that’s the point though, isn’t it? Some successful football teams are so dominant that they don’t just win trophies but they define a style of play, and everyone else either copies them or works out how to spoil their game.

Tiki taka absolutely belongs up there with the best. By any standard, the 2008-2012 achievements of Barcelona and Spain were exceptional.

The haterz have it wrong.

The 3-3 game between Spain and Portugal at this World Cup is widely regarded as one of the best matches of the tournament, and Spain were in proper tiki taka mode that night.

Football tactics are about innovation and reaction. No one style can dominate forever. Yet tiki taka still has a huge influence a decade on.

Yep. Approaches evolve and the opposition responds. Teams passing too slowly have struggled at this world cup. It will be different again in 2022. The good news is: quicker football is quite exciting! Bring it on :-)

[MWHIBBIES]

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It does mean something, its the word used to describe the style I'd get your irritation if the word was in some way pejorative, but it's not. Good a word as any other.

Its more of a lighthearted term, like hoofball, used by a commentator to describe it. It doesn't really mean anything. The actually philosophy goes back well before that and has evolved far beyond it.

Doesn't bother me at all, just giving my thoughts.

[Bristolhibby]

Who can forget this piece of sporting art?

https://youtu.be/COe5Y29-BZY

[Haymaker]

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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.

Correct. That team and style was a perfect coming together

[blackpoolhibs]

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It was never about just keeping the ball for the sake of it, it was ball retention to carve out an opening, Barca did it with pace and guile, their players were quite simply fabulous at the time, controlled build up and precise defence splitting passes and attacked with pace on the counter when opponents lost the ball. Look at Man City right now, the new Barca similar style, 65-70% possession, are they boring jeez they were outstanding this year at times, Guardiola instilling the same style as he did at Barca.

Exactly, when its done right its a joy to watch, having teams try it with players who cant control the ball as well as the Barca team, or the Spanish sides that won the Euros and world cup is admirable, but daft.

If you are not good enough to play this way, then play a different way.