Over the years, soccer has undergone significant transformations, particularly when it comes to tactical systems. Soccer tactics have evolved with time to conform to the dynamics in the soccer realm, influencing almost every aspect of the beautiful game.
From how people bet on soccer matches to game analysis to how the beautiful game is perceived globally, tactical changes have transformed football in many ways. Here are some significant transformations that have taken place in the soccer world over the years.
In the early days, soccer mainly revolved around running with the ball with minimal passing. Teams formations were built for a more rudimentary style of football.
One of the prominent tactics during this era is the “Route One” approach, a playing style involving direct and physical playing. This approach was akin to modern-day rugby, whereby players were much stronger, with physicality being more prominent than the tactical approach.
In the “Route One” concept, players would focus more on running with the ball rather than passing it to a teammate in a better position to score or make a tactical move. They would try to get the ball toward the goal quickly and get past the defence to score a goal.
The “Route One” approach in England was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It was the practical way for teams to play the game and win matches. In those days, teams like Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers would attribute their success to this playing style.
In the 1920s, an Arsenal manager known as Habert Chapman would disrupt the footballing scene after transforming the “Route One” approach. Chapman introduced the V-M formation, a playing style similar to modern-day’s 3-5-2.
His system would feature two forwards, three inside-forwards, two wing halves, and three defenders. This way, his side could maintain a defensive focus while fiercely attacking the opponent at the same time.
However, it wasn’t until the mid-1920s that a change was made in the offside law. It required strikers to remain with only two opponents and the opposition goal between them instead of three opponents and the opposition goal.
This led to Chapman introducing new training drills and tactic boards to adapt to the new offside law.
Perhaps the most revolutionary concept in footballing history, “Total Football,” would grace the Dutch football scene in the 1970s. It was made popular by Rinus Michels, who hailed from the Netherlands.
The “Total Football” Approach was a more tactical style of play that emphasised fluidity, interchangeability, and collective responsibility of the entire team. The idea was to create a system where individual players could play in any position, allowing the team to switch between attacking and defending seamlessly. This helped Rinus Michels to expose the limitations of man-marking.
Liverpool FC adopted the “Total Football” approach in the 1970S and 1980s, which helped them win several European and domestic trophies. Their tactical approach involved playing high-pressure attacking football to dominate their opponents.
Ajax Johan Cruyff became the poster child for the “Total Football” philosophy. Theoretically, Cruyff would assume a completely free role and lay deep in the centre forward but also take much deeper positions across the pitch to allow him to influence the game as much as possible.
Tiki Taka, which is basically an enhanced version of “Total Football,” is another revolutionary playing style to grace the footballing scene in the 2000s. It was introduced by Cruyff when he moved to Barcelona. Theoretically, Tiki Taka is based on short, quick, and constant passing between players to tire and confuse the opponent to make a mistake and create a goal-scoring opportunity.
Barcelona’s and Spain’s modern football can be traced through this tactic. It is best exemplified by Iniesta and Xavi, who relied on it to win the World Cup 2010 and the European Championships.
It should be noted that, for this style to work, a team must have a brilliant striker who can take shots at the opponent’s goal. Otherwise, passing the ball alone will only be a waste of time.
A good example is Spain in the 2010 World Cup, where they won the trophy by scoring only eight goals in seven matches, including one in extra time in the final. That means they relied on Tiki Taka as a defensive tactic.
As you can see, modern football has come a long way to what it is today. In this era, players must specialise in specific positions, unlike in the past, where there were no sophisticated tactical systems.
And since the evolution of soccer tactics is an inevitable part of football, analysts, players, coaches, and gamblers must stay attuned to the latest developments in the soccer world to remain competitive in their fields.