Monday 11 December 2017

Guardiola v Mourinho



There is no doubt that Guardiola and Mourinho are two of the best managers in this generation, but their differences in style are something I find really interesting, and something I felt like writing about. They both have a winning mentality, big personalities and have an aura about them that is intriguing to watch. 

It is clear that Mourinho has a win at all costs mindset that shows through his mindgames before matches, his antics on the touchline and his tactics. Guardiola on the other hand is more of a purist, demanding the team plays a certain brand of football and ensuring that nothing will stop his team playing a passing game.

I have always had a bit of an agenda with Mourinho and never enjoyed watching his teams, but when you have a direct comparison with their city rivals now it is clear to see in my opinion that his ideas and tactics are inferior to his counterpart. City are playing the sort of football that every football fan dreams that their team would play. Passing from the back, one touch passing and quick transitions both offensively and defensively are making them thoroughly enjoyable to watch. As a player it must be a dream come true to play for him as you get to play football the way it is supposed to be.

When you watch both teams the big difference I can see is the freedom to express themselves being given by the manager, and also the confidence to do it knowing they won't be blamed or outed in public for mistakes. This is the single most noticeable difference for me from the two managers. 
The United players look paralysed with fear on the ball and in their attitude towards attacking football. That comes from the manager and his constant demand for defensive work from his attacking players. Players like Martial, Rashford, Mata and many more before them are employed as defensive wide players, and often find themselves in full back areas. They know if they don't do a job defensively they will be blamed publicly by their manager, much like Hazard was at Chelsea when they lost against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in 2014. This cripples them in terms of their attacking intent and ultimately bleeds them of their confidence. 

I am not saying that attacking players shouldn't defend, because actually if you watch City their players all work extremely hard off the ball, but in different areas. The transition to defense happens up the pitch, as they try and win the ball back quickly in high areas and force opposition teams to play through them or go long. This means they will always be high up the pitch and when they win it back the transition to attack happens immediately as they are already in a dangerous area. This is the type of defending that attacking players can actually enjoy, on the front foot and going after the ball instead of worrying about players running in behind them and defending 1v1. Is is much easier for them to defend like that, and means they can use their energy high up the park instead of tracking back and doing the job of the fullback. As a former wide players who tried defending at times, I can confirm 1v1 defending is harder than pressing high up the pitch, and I will never have a career at right back as a result!

In terms of the public blame game that Mourinho plays, I know a lot of fans like that honesty and think players are wrapped in cotton wool. But as player that can never work and it turns the squad against the manager and creates a divide that will never really come together. When you compare that to how Guardiola handles similar situations, for example with Claudio Bravo last year, it is a much easier environment to flourish and keep confidence up. I'm sure he knew Bravo was having a poor season, but he always defended him publicly and same goes for when Stones made mistakes, or Sterling was low on confidence. Although privately he would I'm sure be harsh on his players at times, publicly he always defends them and as a player that is important to gain trust in your manager. It also gives you the confidence to make mistakes, which in turn results in less mistakes as you can relax. At the level these guys are playing at, when they can relax they can play football that is a joy to watch and I am glad is it reaping the rewards so far this season as hopefully it makes people realise that Mourinho is not the genius he thinks he is, and that the way Guardiola goes about his business is the model for all future managers to take note of.

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Messi

I've made it no secret in the last few years that in my mind Messi is better than Ronaldo, and that for the rest of his career we just need to enjoy watching him and feel privileged that we are alive when this man is playing football. There is absolutely no doubting the goal scoring prowess of Ronaldo, but Messi is so much more than that. If you take away his goal records for Barcelona you would still be watching an artist on the pitch, capable of picking a pass out from 5 to 80 yards no problem. Capable of dribbling at defenders and going past them with ease, time after time. He isn't as quick as he used to be, but he still has the burst of pace, that first 3 yards is as quick as anyone. His awareness of where opponents and teammates are at all times is just incredible, it is like he is watching the game from the stands. He is often compared to a computer game, his close control and dribbling almost as if the ball is stuck to his foot, and when you add in that he is the best finisher in the history of the game, you have someone who I think we will never see the likes of in our lifetime.

Now that he will be 30 this year, it is time to just forget about records and comparing his goals to Ronaldo, or whether you think he could do it in the Premier League and just enjoy watching him and be happy that footage of him will exist to show your children and grand children. He is a once in a generation player that we will be lucky to see anything like again.

Ronaldo is probably the greatest goalscorer of all time, but I am convinced we will see someone like him again not too far away. An athlete with an incredible attitude and willingness to improve and try to be the best in the world. A goalscorer with a mentality that he is only happy after a game if he has scored, no matter how the team plays. Someone so driven to win and achieve greatness they will do anything to get it. Yes of course he is blessed with natural talent, but you can see and admire how hard he has worked to get where he has.

One thing that is not said enough with Messi, because he is so good at dribbling is just how calm and composed he is in front of goal. Anywhere inside 20 yards he passes it in to the corner. It should be easy, if you were passing to a teammate 20 yards away with a side foot you wouldn't even think about it, but the mental aspect of it being the goal makes it tough for your average player. Messi makes it look easy time and time again, no matter how much pressure he is under, when in the game it is, what the score is, he slots the ball in the corners, top and bottom, both sides. He also does it from free kicks more regularly than most, which makes it strange that he has missed so many penalties. I always wondered why he doesn't just run up and place it top corner, I'm sure he could if he wanted to 99 out of 100 times. It is the only part of his game that is in line with the average footballer.

I have never seen Messi live, but I have to do it before he retires. It might be a good 6 or 7 years away yet, but his decline will start soon because his genius can't last forever unfortunately. It is an absolute joy to watch him on the television, and we will never forget him as long as we live, I know I will be telling any grandchildren about him, the greatest footballer that has ever lived.

5 x Ballon D'or winner, should probably be more