For years, fans and media portrayed La Liga as a boring championship, without any suspense as Real Madrid and Barcelona fought every year for the title. Teams like Getafe and Cadiz popularised the usage of so-called ‘deep blocks’ that prevented fans from enjoying the game. As the Premier League collected elite managers (Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Roberto de Zerbi, Mikel Arteta, Ange Postecoglou), whatever La Liga was doing, it wasn’t evolution. Ex-Villarreal manager Unai Emery also joined (and to this day has remained with Aston Villa), while Andoni Iraola (ex-Rayo Vallecano) is also enjoying life in Bournemouth. But today, fans complain about another problem…
Before, there was no fun. Is there too much fun? Many complaints from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fans claim that their team is not good enough, and unable to defend. Barcelona indeed gave up on their defensive record that saw Xavi lifting his first La Liga as a manager and, indeed, Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone have given up their defensive principles (for the most part). It teaches us a valuable lesson: the problem was never the style, it was the result.
The concept that “the customer is king” is widespread in today’s industry, but football has shown that customers, sooner or later, prove to be unconscious of their wishes. The sport is a never-ending cycle where trends come back and forth, under adjusted details. In the last Clasico, both teams seemed to disregard pressing, instead preferring to go back and forth. The score (3-2) is a great reflection of the general trend of the game.
All of this comes to say that what fans should be looking for is fun, instead of perfection. While it is natural for fans to seek perfection in their team, too many look into the details instead of having an enjoyable afternoon of football. Most of the recent complaints (including during Sunday’s Clasico, but not only) concern the team’s out-of-possession (OOP) methods, lacking in intensity or structure. However, the fan first watches the game out of enjoyment – football, as business-oriented as it has become, remains an entertainment industry. When fans enter the stadium, they expect their team to entertain. When did a bad OOP structure stop fans from enjoying great football?
Younger fans tend to be the generation that (over)criticises the teams, often claiming that it was a terrible game. But it entirely negates entertainment as a valuable quality. Previous generations never complained about the lack of pressing structure, and they saw thrillers. While it is normal for times to change, and the nature of the game has rendered all phases more sophisticated, there rarely are comments saying “what a game”, despite La Liga becoming more high-scoring on average in comparison to previous seasons.
This is not to claim that intellectuals are destroying the game – but they have their place. Before picking holes in goals, should the cathartic burst of noise, technique and emotion not be enjoyed? Perhaps it is a product of the increase of the instant coverage, which never speaks to a fan in a stadium about whether they enjoyed a game or a goal?
Maybe fans should reconsider their position when it comes to what matters to them the most. Of course, anger when conceding is normal, provided it doesn’t take on a malicious form, particularly online. All fans want the best for their teams – but it should not prevent fans from enjoying ‘the show’. Instead of worrying about the details, which can be snacked on throughout the following days, pure passion should take over. Intellectualising (especially on social media) is great after the game, each finds a discussion on those details ranging from savvy to shouting match, but there should be a time and place for it. During the game, instead of complaining about imperfections, football fans should concern themselves only with being entertained.
Obismart
0
This la liga is messed up.real Madrid and la liga management want to destroy the league and if they continue this favoritism nobody but only Real Madrid will waste their time watching the league.league 1 is going to be better than la liga soon.
Yitdemop
0
[image]
De jong’s fault, should have been more careful.
NeoFlow11
3
My Lovely Barca. I hear lots of Barca fans cry foul and complain about why the other clubs both at home and abroad works together to hurt Barca. But I pause a little to think, 🤔🤔🤔🤔 have you seen a ripe fruit 🍓🍓🍑🍑🍑🍓 that doesn't attract attention whether positive or negative? Have you seen a very beautiful girl that doesn't call for attention from both men and women alike for diverse reason? Or will you pack a car that is not seen around often and not want people to know the brand from the beauty that emits from it? Talk of young talent, Barca produces the best season in season out, talk of tradition, Barca has a unique tradition, they are almost a nation inside of Spain, they have players that can represent Spain as a nation. To the point madridstas are complaining that only Barcelona young talents are called up for national team duties. Gavi, pedri, yamal, cubassi, ferran, all young players that drops old men on the bench. Inside a financial mess, we are building one of the most expensive and largest stadiums in the world and signing players on top of that. Only someone that has the fear of whatever God he or she serves can love Barca if they are not a fan. For players some player, they might have thought we will go down the drain without Messi, Busquet, Alba, and others like Dembele, but we won the league last season. So, I think when they want you dead, and you are still breathing, it becomes more threatening to them. Visca barca. For the love of Barca... I invite your replies, for I will not attend to them. FCB for life
sadik2
4
One of them makes it 8-2 One of them make it 6-4 There achievements are something else
sadik2
2
Boys started cooking as soon as they heard about that rematch thing
gazi_sagar
0
inter Milan goal
gazi_sagar
2