They have a lower center of gravity, are better able to stay on their feet, and play a so-called tiki-taka style around their ever-taller opponents. On a shrinking playing field, short players are able to navigate the space better IF their way of playing is keeping the ball on the ground. Their technical skills are among the best in the world and their movements are automatized, and their ability to coordinate with one another and create passing triangles is what sets them apart. Second, it also so happened that, at Barcelona, there was a golden generation of young players coming through their youth system who have played together since they were children. First, the Barcelona style of playing relies on lots of short passes that require extremely good ball skills and passing skills. But I think the more prosaic answer is that they benefitted from two things. Why?įor one thing, in a tactical game like soccer, there is always value in doing things differently from everyone else. The effect was that the playing field seemed to be becoming smaller-more athletic giants roaming the field meant less space for players to pass the ball.īarcelona especially-and therefore also Spain-did not follow this pattern. For a number of years, players have been getting taller, and there was a time when midfielders especially seemed to be growing noticeably year by year.
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