Joseph Guardiola has done it again. Although this time the opponent was not a big club in Europe or South America – but the modest Raja Casablanca of Morocco – Bayern Munich has met the primary mandate of the Catalan coach: winning, but winning well.
This man was always different, both on and off the field.
In his playing days, when most of his colleagues preferred assaulting photographers, insulting rival fans (or their own) and entangled in the skirts of any model, Guardiola enjoyed attending independent film festivals, presentations of books or simply reading poetry in a literary cafe.
In the field, Joseph was not only a born leader but also a player of rare quality.
Beyond its technical attributes what really stood out in the Catalan was his great vision, his tactical intelligence.
Although it sounds strange to say, Guardiola was who started the attacks in Barcelona, his first pass marked the beginning of every offensive move.
Joseph learned that mandate Johan Cruyff (who in the locker room of the Camp Nou was known as “God”): The Dutch used to say to his players “If you touch the ball once, you played very well. If you touch it twice, you have played well. If you touch it three times you played badly”
Guardiola teams are a clear example of this philosophy, every play born and ends with a clever touch, where everything is solved in seconds.
While the action is centred on one side of the court, and opposing defenders try to stop the rate of passes, the important thing happens on the other side: that player, which everyone sees but no one pays attention, is preparing to run, to arrive at the right place at the right time.
Like a good magician, Guardiola’s teams focus attention on “one hand”. And the public (and rivals) watch in amazement as children in a circus, not knowing that actually the “magic” is in the other hand.
When “Pep” decided to leave FC Barcelona, some augured for him an uncertain future. Much was said about whether Joseph could repeat what he has done in Catalonia. Messi was the key factor.
Without his favourite player (which enhanced the same way that Cruyff did with him so many years ago) it would be difficult to win again. But, as often happens, reality plays its own game. Guardiola’s arrival at Bayern Munich ushered in a new era for a winning team.
The Spanish coach took the reins of a multi championship squad and made him take a new leap in quality. Led by a huge Frank Ribery, the German club is heading to repeat the successes of the last season.
Maybe it’s the fans of Barcelona who have suffered more by the departure of “Pep”. Like someone who loses an unforgettable love, today the “cules” look askance at anyone who tries to alter that style of play imposed by Guardiola and followed in due course by Tito Villanova.
Unfortunately, it has been Gerardo Martino who must fight the ghosts of “tiki taka” which are walking in the Camp Nou.
Honourable, respectful, courageous, intelligent, all these adjectives are indicated to describe this great coach who, in a time where all that matters is to win anyway, has chosen the less traveled path but also the most difficult path: winning, but winning well.
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