gers1978
Well-Known Member
Saw the above question on Quora and was impressed with this answer:
"He was a weak 10 transformed into an incredible 6.
His vision and technique made him trained as a typical playmaker. But as he grew up, he had a weak physique. In 90’s Spain was very, very different. They value physique and duels. The national team was nicknamed “la furia roja”. The red rage. Players have to be aggressive and go to duel.
So Guardiola was an anomaly. He couldn't play pro in this context as a 10. Johann Cruyff saw the potential, and decided to place him as a 6 in his 3–4–3. As Cruyff system need to play high, and with intense rhythm, he absolutely need every player to be a good footballer before a warrior. So he positioned Guardiola in front of his defense, far from agressive midfielders. So he could have time to pass and impulse attack patterns.
Cruyff favored his strong point. An incredible vision and spatial cognition, coupled with a sure pass, short or long. In order to be effective he needed to be in front of the game. Always watching his partners runs and position.
In fact, Cruyff killed the traditional playmaker. He shared the role. The 6 would be the builder, and the forwards would also move a lot, sharing the creative tasks according to their position and the runs of their partners. With players like Guardiola, Stoichkov, Laudrup and Bakero, you didn't need a 10, in fact, everybody was a 10.
Cruyff built his team according to the strong points of his players. He acted in almost total improvisation. In opposition with a Sacchi or a Lobanovsky, where every movements were pre defined, theorized, and almost became reflexes. Cruyff favored a total liberty for his players. He just imagined and give his tactical orders according pure instinct.
That is why he could loose games by being litterally crushed, or have goal fest, the system was not balanced. Even if he knew it, Cruyff would favor his philosophy anyway.
That's why he absolutely need Guardiola. Someone who could decide and act in an almost total free system. Covered by Koeman, Guardiola act like a manager on the field. A quarterback deciding the playbook.
It it thanks to Cruyff that a player like Guardiola could play and revolution the role of defensive midfielder."
"He was a weak 10 transformed into an incredible 6.
His vision and technique made him trained as a typical playmaker. But as he grew up, he had a weak physique. In 90’s Spain was very, very different. They value physique and duels. The national team was nicknamed “la furia roja”. The red rage. Players have to be aggressive and go to duel.
So Guardiola was an anomaly. He couldn't play pro in this context as a 10. Johann Cruyff saw the potential, and decided to place him as a 6 in his 3–4–3. As Cruyff system need to play high, and with intense rhythm, he absolutely need every player to be a good footballer before a warrior. So he positioned Guardiola in front of his defense, far from agressive midfielders. So he could have time to pass and impulse attack patterns.
Cruyff favored his strong point. An incredible vision and spatial cognition, coupled with a sure pass, short or long. In order to be effective he needed to be in front of the game. Always watching his partners runs and position.
In fact, Cruyff killed the traditional playmaker. He shared the role. The 6 would be the builder, and the forwards would also move a lot, sharing the creative tasks according to their position and the runs of their partners. With players like Guardiola, Stoichkov, Laudrup and Bakero, you didn't need a 10, in fact, everybody was a 10.
Cruyff built his team according to the strong points of his players. He acted in almost total improvisation. In opposition with a Sacchi or a Lobanovsky, where every movements were pre defined, theorized, and almost became reflexes. Cruyff favored a total liberty for his players. He just imagined and give his tactical orders according pure instinct.
That is why he could loose games by being litterally crushed, or have goal fest, the system was not balanced. Even if he knew it, Cruyff would favor his philosophy anyway.
That's why he absolutely need Guardiola. Someone who could decide and act in an almost total free system. Covered by Koeman, Guardiola act like a manager on the field. A quarterback deciding the playbook.
It it thanks to Cruyff that a player like Guardiola could play and revolution the role of defensive midfielder."
