by Badger » Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:15 pm
The Inferior One
Since the Bayern v Chelsea match, I have heard several people trying to give Mourinho some credit as a tactician – or some sort of master of defensive play. I can only agree with them to a very limited extent.
The perspective that says a lot to me – if somewhat speculative – is that if Guardiola had played with a similarly defensive formation, Chelsea probably wouldn’t have got anywhere near the Bayern box. Last year with Heynckes’ approach, opponents rarely scored. Add another couple of Bayern midfielders to the edge of the box now, and it becomes an even better parked bus than Chelsea’s. Guardiola could have played it without much thought or planning. Such defensive-counterattacking approaches are an easier option for managers who haven’t got the players or tactics for attacking football. Chelsea has the players, but Mourinho hasn’t the tactics. It is an indirect admission of inferiority.
At the time Barcelona were considering candidates for a new manager for the first team, it was eventually narrowed down to Mourinho and Guardiola. Two board members met with Mourinho and he described his style and the plans he’d implement, if he were to take over at Barcelona. This included an admission that antagonising the opposition during pre- and post-match conferences was part of his strategy. The board members disliked that in particular – it was beneath the dignity of Barcelona to behave like that – and the choice swung towards Guardiola. Yes, there may be exchanges between managers, but most great managers will speak respectfully of good opponents, and it is an indicator that a manager isn’t sure that he can deliver on the field, if antagonising the opposition is an essential part of his strategy. It is another indirect admission of inferiority.
The worst of all is Mourinho’s tacit approval of dirty play. The game on Friday night showed an ugly side of Chelsea. Players tackled recklessly, and the tally of Chelsea yellow cards should have been considerably higher. Aggressive play is one thing, but Mourinho’s teams seem to produce a lot of thuggish players and ugly incidents. This is a despicable element of Mourinho’s tactics, in seeking an advantage through abusing the opponents rather than matching them on a skilful level. It is another indirect admission of inferiority.
I could go on about Mourinho, trying to bolster the case that he is inferior and possibly isn’t capable of winning on the pitch, especially against top teams, with straightforward open attacking football, but I’d rather turn it into an appreciation of Guardiola. I’m very thankful that Guardiola is never likely to play that way; I couldn’t watch even Bayern, week after week, playing 85 minutes of defensive football and 5 minutes of smash-and-grab counterattacking, with Guardiola spouting barely-credible antagonism towards other teams and managers, and promoting thuggish play. Moreover, all that should be beneath a great club like Bayern. Bayern’s winning the of Supercup, in spite of the team’s remaining flaws and inadequacies, was a victory for both attractive and dignified football.
"Wherever that man went, he went gratefully."
--------- Attributed to Seamus Heaney ---------