Barcelona-Inter 1-0. The adaptation theory and the defeat of Spanish "tiki taka.

Italy
April 29, 2010 6:07am CST
After the first Champions semifinal leg, when Inter won 3-1 against Barcelona in San Siro, I asked whether it was an Italian soccer lesson. Answers generally agreed with the fact that Inter played well and deserved the victory, despite referee's decision to validate a goal in offside. It was indeed an Italian lesson performed by 11 international (not Italian) players and a Portuguese trainer! :-) Inter attacked Barca from the very beginning and counter attacked in a very efficient way, thus scoring three goals. Yesterday, I saw a very wonderful/awful game (a quite boring, tactical defensive masterpiece) where Barca couldn't play as usual. For the second time the Italian team didn't allow Barca to play as usual, the first time through extensive pressing, the second time defending with 1+9 players, with a so-called "catenaccio". In nature, those that are more adaptable to their environment have more chances to face unexpected natural adversities and higher probabilities to reproduce themselves and preserve their population. Soccer teams should be adaptable as living beings. The more they can change and adapt their way of playing to other teams, the easier it'll be to survive and win. Mourinho has shown to be a great adaptable trainer, able to better understand in the two semis legs Barca's way to play soccer and adopt the best measures to win. Inter has won because it's way of playing soccer is the natural evolution of the Spanish "tiki taka" (fast lateral passes), which is very nice to see against weaker teams that do not press or leave very huge spaces in the field, but isn't good anymore against killer teams like Inter, that either press and do not allow you to play fast and vertically or leave you completely the "tiki taka" game, but only and completely outside the penalty area, without allowing players to enter it. Bayern is a team that is very similar to Inter. It'll be a very boring/tactic final where the most adaptable team will win. Will it be Inter?
4 responses
29 Apr 10
I can only really see Inter winning the cup now, they were far superior to Barca over both legs and whilst Bayern have had a great run in the cup, i just don't see them offering the same value across the pitch.
• Italy
30 Apr 10
Is it because they have an inferior technical-tactical skill or what?
@suman680 (25)
• India
29 Apr 10
Inter Milan defense was the main power to beat the Barcelona FC and reach the final of UCL.
• Italy
29 Apr 10
:-) This is for sure a good and concise starting point!
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
30 Apr 10
hm, sometimes i feel inter is lucky in this game.and unlucky punish barca. and the situation is make inter can do what they feel.but inter is still winner even i think barca is more deserve to be in final in santiago berneabeu
29 Apr 10
i think barca should have won this game on the nite by more han 1 goal but u must give credit 2 inter and the worked very hard 4 60 mins with 10 men