In
the France – Germany semifinal, Germany had 68% of the possession and five
shots on goal compared to France’s six. Let us remind ourselves: this at a big
international tournament’s semi final. It would be easy to assume that Germany
was playing at home. With the fantastically skillful footballers at their
disposal, Germany bombarded France with their precision passes and cross-field
balls whipped in and controlled with admirable skill. The hosts were quite
content to neutralize Germany’s attack, concede ball possession and hit on the
break with their own impressive arsenal of international football stars.
Deschamps’ ploy worked. Germany played their possession attack but couldn’t
find a way past Lloris. Germany playing their game allowed France to play
theirs (not much of a game, really, but you get the drift).
Being
in the small minority on the ‘Portugal will win’ side in my WhatsApp group of
football fans was not a bleeding underdog’s bet. It was simple analysis. Senhor Fernando Santos wasn’t the manager of an immensely talented squad, and has rich
experience in making a fist of just that – ask Greece football fans. He wasn’t
going to set up Portugal to dominate possession, he was going to set up
Portugal to survive. When two teams, even the one with the superior arsenal,
set up to survive the football match and not to adorn it with attacking
splendor, we get a battle of attrition. At that battle of attrition, Portugal
always had a good chance.
What
happened? Portugal had 48% possession to France’s 52% - not bad for a team that
wasn’t ‘supposed to be there’. Was it incisive possession leading to lots of
goal mouth action? No. Portugal played out one or two dozen passes on average
across the back four every time they got the ball. This is not beautiful to
watch and won’t keep you awake early on Monday morning when you are already
worn out, battling Monday blues. These passes are meant to wear out and/ or
irritate your (supposedly superior) opponents. They are supposed to award your
team mates some well earned seconds of rest from all the running they do to
ensure no chinks open up in the face of an opponent’s mesmerizing skills. They
are supposed to test your opponents’ resolve and desire to win the match by
playing better football. They are meant to test what your opponent will do with the 20% extra possession they have in comparison to the semi-final. Each pass is, on television, an easy task. But say
that to the defender whose passes got intercepted.
Well,
on the day, unlike Germany or Bayern or Spain or Barcelona or Atletico or RMA,
France never really applied the pressure that high up the pitch. At best, this
was out of respect for Portugal’s skills at making the killer pass. At worst,
it was terrible tactics and a callous attitude in a big final. Whatever the
reasons were it is unbecoming of a home favorite to be so dreary and formulaic.
The dreary and formulaic have been defended stoutly as ‘what was needed to win
the trophies’. Deschamps brings that (lack of) spirit to French football like
Dunga did to the Brazilian game. Lets us not forget that after initial
successes, Brazil now don’t win matches. Neither do they play good football. Nobody
mourns when they lose. France, sentimental favorites when they step on the
field, will soon lose that status if they already haven’t.
By convincingly outplaying France, Senhor Fernando Santos has thrown
international football a lifeline. Perhaps, he has hastened the day when French
football will have to stare the devils down and begin playing football. They
have the players. It is only wishful thinking what this group of players, or
perhaps the core of this group of player with other selections, could have
achieved under Domenech (or might under ZiZou). On the other hand, it gave me a
chance to enjoy what Pepe (that permanent persona non grata) brings to a team
and to the game of football. He marshalled that back line which not only
resisted the few French thrusts but also held the ball for long enough for the
game to drag into extra time. Of course, we all know when the ‘Ugly Duckling’
became a ‘Beautiful Swan’. To be favorites in a football match is a
responsibility that this German team, erstwhile Spanish outfits, 80s Brazil and
possession proponent clubs fulfill. Football matches may not always be about
the results. In any case, it is better somebody mourns at your demise!
Let
me summarize. Football is struggle. It cannot really ‘unite countries’. Some football
matches may ask basic questions that challenge our worldview…individuals and
groups may take that introspection and do great things – like uniting
countries. It is not enough for the favorites to show up. They need to take on
the responsibility and be the fundamental ingredient of a great game of
football. Any team that is capable of struggle can win a football match. Pepe
can do things nobody may notice, but greatness is often simple things executed
over and over with belief and resilience. Every now and then, a coach and team
show us how it is done. Senhor Fernando Santos & Portugal – chapeus fora!
Thanks!
