Spain showed in a fantastic way how a team can change the rhythm, how you have phases where you suddenly have to play forward, how you have phases were you slow the game down, where you stifle your opponent. They also did that in the final, where they played the football they needed to play to win and are, therefore, world champions for the first time in their history. I think this tournament showed that the developments that started in 2006 continued. What we have seen is that the 4-2-3-1 system continues to dominate, teams are continuing to play very defensively, with two defensive midfielders that are always used. Strangely, teams only opt to play offensively when they have to win: In the last games in the group stage or in the knock-out rounds. The World Cup has also shown that fast football alone is not sufficient. Fast football only makes sense if it is played in phases. The Spaniards have shown how best to combine the two elements of holding back and of fast football. This change of rhythm is, I think, very important.

Spain showed in a fantastic way how a team can change the rhythm, how you have phases where you suddenly have to play forward, how you have phases were you slow the game down, where you stifle your opponent.

Spain's change of pace in attack, defence was special

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Spain's change of pace in attack, defence was special

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