Latest news with #Cruyff
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Barcelona – back to playing football that is happy, happening and hypnotic
Two numbers define the season of Barcelona, even if the figures barely capture the essence of them this season. A) They amassed 171 goals across all competitions with a La Liga week more to boost the number, the runaway best in Europe among the elite leagues. B) They caught their opponents offside 289 times, no one has mustered even half as many. Equally, a staggering 38 goals against them were ruled out for offside. The numbers capture some of the striking aspects of their march: First, the prolific form of their forward-line. A revived Robert Lewandowski netted 40 goals in 50 games, Raphinha was involved in 59, Lamine Yamal stroked 18 and conceptualised 25. Then, the tactical intelligence of their dangerously high back-line to pull off the great off-side trap. But they don't depict the thrilling role-swap of their wingers, the artistry of Pedri, the ruthlessness of Lewandowski, the vision of Frenkie de Jong, the dribble gnome that is Fermin Lopez, the creative zest of Dani Olmo, or the cohesion of the back-line. Or the sheer joy of watching a gifted group functioning at the outer reaches of their verve and trickery, a blend of smarts from the alleys and structure from academies, football as an expression of joie de vivre. Barcelona fans should not be strangers to glory and joy. But this was not as they had experienced in the era of Johan Cruyff or Pep Guardiola. But closer to the spontaneous and uninhibited delights that marked the days of Ronaldinho, the Brazilian wizard who inspired unadulterated joy, who smiled and put a smile on the face of the beholder. It is unlike any Barcelona iteration in recent times. The methods of Hansi Flick are similar yet dissimilar to the principles of Cruyff and Guardiola. The fixation with possession is a common thread. Barcelona have enjoyed an average possession of 68.9 percent in La Liga. The defence maintains a high-line, the midfield is manned by supreme passers with a wide range of passing. But Flick's Barcelona is faster, more direct and vertical. Positional discipline—the soul of Guardiola—Cruyff manual—is not as adhered strictly to. So is the efficiency of through balls. The preference for homegrown talent, even though it is a consequence of financial strain, is another strand of commonality. The opening game featured three 17-year-olds. Throught the season, 13 academy graduates featured in different games. It's not death by a thousand passes, but murder with a single bullet, cowboy style, precise and piercing. He has instilled the gegenpress from the German school, making them a feared transitional side in Europe. When they lose the ball, they unflinchingly hound the adversaries and reclaim it. Young legs help—they have the youngest squad, the average age being 24, despite the presence of two poles in the mid 30s, Lewandowski and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, the latter cajoled back from retirement after captain Marc-André ter Stegen was ruled out midway through the season. Once the ball is retrieved, they don't construct the goal with elaborate build-up play, but quick, sharp passing. Guardiola loathed such an approach in his Barcelona days, though he is experimenting a similar style with City these days. His Barcelona was akin to poetry that conformed to syllable-perfect rhyme schemes. Every note, tone, and accent was placed where it should be. Every individual had a specific role that he performed to near-perfection. Apart from the uncontainable genius of Lionel Messi, few had the liberty to act on his own whims. It worked, like the London Symphony Orchestra. Flick's Barcelona is a fusion of orchestra and heavy metal. A team strumming to the synchronised chords before breaking up for a quick bass guitar solo. It's both Mozart and Jimi Hendrix. It's a triumph of both the collective and individual, both the system and individual coexisting in a harmonious union. Lamine Yamal embodies the idea of individualism. The 17-year-old is of such riveting talent that systems can't stifle him. He is a breath of fresh air in the system and structure obsessed modern-football. His game is born in the streets, which honed his ability to glide along tight spaces, and nurtured at the La Masia, smoothing the rough edges. His wondrous strikes, often at the most opportune moment, are a treat, each goal reel-worthy. But more delightful are his one-twos with Lopez or wing-swapping with Raphinha. Lopez, only 22, is a trickster with the stealth of an alley cat. In the latest El Clasico, he and Yamal combined to produce scintillating sequences that left Real Madrid's defenders running circles. Raphinha was almost deliberating on exiting the club, before Flick revived him and gave him spatial freedom, unlocking his multifaceted skills. He can whip up pace like a conventional winger, break the lines like a modern one, score like a centre forward and assist like an inside forward. Barcelona, thus, could rattle opponents in many ways. THE MOMENT! 🏆 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 18, 2025 Similar to Raphinha, Flick revitalised the ageing Lewandowski, deemed surplus by Xavi and who seemed a yard slower than he was in his prime. Flick, though, utilised his aerial prowess by encouraging more crosses, hold-up play and clever movements. He was utilised as a classical striker, a false nine and a withdrawn one like Jurgen Klopp used Roberto Firmino in Liverpool. Like the fellow German, he infused togetherness too. 'The most important thing is you feel like a family. The atmosphere in the dressing room is so great; I've never seen this before. They really take care of each other,' Flick said. Pedri too has been notched up a few upward gears. 'I feel liberated,' Pedri said. 'Flick has told me to play without pressure. He's very good with us, close to us, giving us confidence. Of course when you have to take things seriously he does. He has that touch of a sergeant major but he's lovely really.' The last reference was to Flick's emphasis on punctuality (for practice and team meetings) and the attire of players (no designer clothes, only team tracks in the club premises). But it's a happy team, and the happiness pours on to the field of expression too. Whether they would scale the heights of Guardiola's Barcelona is uncertain, but they have rekindled the joy of watching the Spanish giants. It is a tale of two numbers as well as the smile they put on the beholder's face and the sheer uninhibited thrill they spark.
Evening Standard
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Best FC Barcelona shirts: Iconic kits & achievements
The era of Cruyff's so-called 'dream team' was played in mid-90s dream shirts. Anyone of a certain vintage will remember the eye-catching Kappa logo, emblazoning the legs of the secondary school elite, up and down the land. They might also remember the same logo adorning the arms of Cruyff's men in the first shirt since the end of the Meyba era. They won another two Liga titles in this strip, making it four on the bounce, including one that went to the final day of the season, edging rivals Real Madrid at the 11th hour in 1993.
New York Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The unpredictable Leandro Trossard: Perfecting the art of ‘fake' shots and Cruyff turns
Leandro Trossard loves a dummy. Whether it's a fake shot or a Cruyff turn, Arsenal's Belgium international forward cannot resist a quick change of direction to outwit an opponent. The impact of such a sharp and subtle movement can be seen in his three most recent goals, which all came in the space of four days. Advertisement Even if defenders research and know the fake shot is coming, they will instinctively jump to block an incoming shot, leaving space to exploit either behind or through them. While the dummy shot is one option, the sharp turn through the player's own legs, popularised by Johan Cruyff against Sweden in 1974, is just as dangerous. Cruyff later discussed the turn that accompanied his name: 'I never did tricks. I saw something and it just came out. There was an opponent there and I had to outplay him. That was the easiest way.' The simplicity is what makes these movements so effective. Trossard is not known as a trickster, but he is similar to a puppet master when he pulls them out. One instance caused the Emirates Stadium to erupt in January, when the forward left Pedro Porro on his backside needing treatment in the north London derby. Stop it, Trossard 🥵@Arsenal | #ARSTOT — Premier League India (@PLforIndia) January 18, 2025 Of his three most recent goals that all involved sharp turns, the first was away to Ipswich Town on Sunday. He shaped to shoot while falling — which prompted an attempted block from Sam Morsy — before poking the ball through Dara O'Shea's legs. The second goal was in the same 4-0 victory as he finished a short-corner routine by dummying an initial shot before slotting the ball through George Hirst's legs and in. The latest was against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, as he shaped to shoot with his right on the edge of the box before shifting the ball on to his left and having his effort deflected in through the legs of Jefferson Lerma. His goals against Ipswich and Palace have taken him into double figures this season, making him the third Arsenal player to score 25 goals for the club since the start of last season after Bukayo Saka (31) and Kai Havertz (29). The 30-year-old's output since his January 2023 transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion has made him one of Mikel Arteta's most valuable players, whether he starts games or comes off the bench. With Arsenal's Champions League semi-final on the horizon, the last week should serve as a reminder of what a unique option Trossard is compared with others in the forward line. His technique off both feet was a clear standout attribute on signing. There was a dip in how often he made decisive actions with his left foot in 2024, but that left/right foot balance has improved in 2025. The ability to go both ways is what makes his dummies so effective compared with others. 'For defenders, it's so hard to defend,' he told the Premier League in January. 'Especially in the box because they don't know what foot you're going to go (on to). You can put them off balance quite easily and that makes my game.' Advertisement It might appear to be a coincidence, his fourth most-recent goal also went through the legs of the defender marking him. This was Arsenal's opener away to Everton, and Jake O'Brien was the man tasked with stopping Trossard. Compared with other defenders, O'Brien kept his legs fairly closed, but he was a victim of human nature. The quick movement of Trossard's body to the right and the ball to the left put O'Brien off balance, and he reacted with a desperate lunge back across himself. It was a reaction he had to make, but one that opened the gates for Trossard to shoot through his legs and into the far corner. Those double movements and shoulder drops are what undo defenders. They are left to make split-second decisions on whether to make an attempt for the ball or hold their position, with both choices leaving them vulnerable. When Manchester City visited the Emirates in February, Trossard enticed Matheus Nunes with shoulder drops to the left and the right. The midfielder took the bait, making a challenge and opening himself up to be another victim of a Trossard nutmeg. As was the case with Porro weeks before, the Emirates boomed with joyous applause. These are often moments that people watch football for, but they are even better when they have a tangible impact on games. That has been common in the case of Trossard. His first assist for Arsenal was for Gabriel Martinelli away to Leicester City in February 2023 after baiting Harry Souttar with a stepover and nutmeg. Weeks later, he became the first player in Premier League history to record a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game as Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0. His second assist, again for Martinelli, came after another Cruyff turn away from a defender with his right foot before crossing into the six-yard area with his left. It has not just been in recent weeks when he has taken the responsibility of finishing after getting the better of a defender. He started the 2023-24 season coming off the bench to equalise against Manchester City in the 100th minute of the Community Shield. As Saka set the ball to him on the edge of the box, he feigned to cross only to drag the ball across his body into the box. Julian Alvarez jumped to block a cross that never came and Trossard was free to shoot with his left foot — it was deflected in off Manuel Akanji. Later that season, he was played in by Gabriel Jesus against Palace. Instead of twisting his whole body with a Cruyff turn, he let the ball run across to his left and used the outside of his right foot to cut back. Nathaniel Clyne was the defender, and all his momentum took him the other way, forcing him to fall similar to Porro. All Trossard needed after that was a touch to set himself before finishing calmly. The important thing for Arteta when it comes to choosing whether to start Trossard against Paris Saint-Germain or bring him off the bench is that he is not a one-trick pony. These dummies, fake shots and turns make him dangerous in the final third, but they are not the only aspect of his play to do so. Advertisement Fourteen of his 28 Arsenal goals have been first-time finishes, which has helped build his reputation as one of the club's most clinical strikers. His previous four league assists have also all come from not feigning one way or another, but simply going on the outside and crossing with his left foot. Arsenal's past two games have also seen him used slightly differently, which could help get more out of their right-sided players as well as Mikel Merino if he is available. Arteta has this weekend free to plan how he will approach PSG. He navigated past Real Madrid without starting Trossard, but there is no doubt the Belgium international can offer something different to his team-mates that could help swing the tie in Arsenal's favour.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Remembering the iconic Johan Cruyff on the anniversary of his death 🧡
Has any one person had a greater impact on football than Johan Cruyff? World class player. World class manager. Innovator. Genius. Nine years on from his untimely death, the Netherlands, Barcelona and Ajax remember their favourite son. Cruyff was the personification of "Total Football", helping Ajax to three European Cups in a row, and inspiring the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final. Not even a striker, he is the top scorer for the Amsterdam giants with 257 goals, and was also the first player to ever win three Ballon d'Or awards in a row. ♾️ @JohanCruyff forever 🧡#NothingLikeOranje — OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 24, 2025 At Barcelona, he transformed the club, blending Total Football and Catalan spirit to create the style that has become synonymous with the club. As a player, he helped them win their first LaLiga title in over a decade, while as manager, he won four titles in a row and secured the club's first-ever Champions League title in 1992. Thank you for teaching us to love the years without Johan. Always in our memory. 💙❤ — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 24, 2025 Known for inventing the turn named after him and being the first player to start the tradition of squad numbers - famously 14 in his case - he was ahead of the game in every single way, including from the penalty spot. That @JohanCruyff-Olsen penalty 🎗#OnThisDay 𝟒𝟎 years ago... — AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 5, 2022 For all his goals, it was his creativity that perhaps he is best remembered for. 9️⃣ años sin Johan Cruyff. 💫 Siempre en el recuerdo.#LALIGAEASPORTS | #LALIGAHistory — LALIGA (@LaLiga) March 24, 2025 His spirit lives on with both of his most famous clubs and throughout the Netherlands, with Ajax's stadium being renamed in his honour. There was no one like him before, and there may never be another again. 📸 COR MULDER - 2007 AFP
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Soccer Indonesia name Cruyff as technical adviser in national team revamp
JAKARTA, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Indonesia appointed former Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff as the national team's technical adviser, the soccer federation said on Tuesday, in a revamp that has already seen former Netherlands forward Patrick Kluivert named coach. A passionate soccer country, Indonesian fans are hoping the expanded 48-team World Cup will give them a chance to make the finals for the second time, where they would hope to do better than in 1938 when they travelled to France as the then-Dutch East Indies in the days before group stages, lost 6-0 to Hungary, and went home. Indonesia are third in their group after six of 10 matches, one point behind Australia in the battle for the second automatic qualification spot. If they finish third or fourth, they could still reach the 2026 finals through further rounds of qualifying and an intercontinental playoff. Indonesia's soccer federation chief Erick Thohir said Cruyff, who was Barcelona's sporting director from 2021 to 2023, would come in March. "I'm very excited," Cruyff said in a statement on the federation's website. "I can't wait to share my experience and knowledge to further the level of Indonesian soccer." Erick said Cruyff, the 51-year-old son of Barca great Johan Cruyff, embodied Barcelona's philosophy of play. "What are Jordi's most important tasks? Giving technical input and also developing our soccer philosophy, including by finding us a technical director," Erick said, adding Cruyff had signed the agreement with Indonesia earlier on Tuesday. Cruyff is the latest hire after Kluivert and his assistant coaches, Dutchmen Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat. Kluivert had replaced South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong as Indonesia said it needed stronger leadership. Shin had benefited from a federation policy of enticing members of the Indonesian diaspora, mostly born in the Netherlands, to play for the national team.
