This success is exemplified by Spain's European Championship victory, Real Madrid's Champions League triumph, and Rodri's Ballon d'Or win. However, Pep Guardiola, a key figure in developing this dominant style, is facing challenges at Manchester City.
City's recent struggles are linked to the inherent risks of their high-pressing, high-line approach, which can leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Additionally, Erling Haaland's playing style, while effective, clashes with Guardiola's preference for controlled possession, further contributing to City's defensive vulnerabilities.
This situation mirrors historical examples like Ajax under Stefan Kovacs and Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish, where stylistic shifts led to initial success followed by decline. Haaland's arrival, while boosting City's attacking options, has potentially disrupted their tactical balance and exposed defensive weaknesses, especially in the absence of Rodri.
Interestingly, the widespread adoption of Guardiola's possession-based style has created a new challenge. With many teams employing similar tactics, simply adhering to the Guardiola model is no longer a guarantee of success. This has led to a resurgence of pragmatism, with coaches like Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola, and Unai Emery adapting and modifying Guardiola's principles to gain an edge.
This trend extends beyond Spain, with successful managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Lionel Scaloni demonstrating the value of flexibility and adaptability. Even Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, under Arne Slot, is evolving towards a more possession-oriented approach.
The current era in football is characterized by a synthesis of ideas, with coaches drawing inspiration from both Guardiola's possession-based style and Klopp's high-intensity pressing, but adding their own unique variations. This tactical evolution, with its emphasis on pragmatism and adaptability, is currently being spearheaded by Spanish football.
