In the 2008/2009 season, FC Barcelona appointed Pep Guardiola as the new head coach following a disappointing season under Frank Rijkaard. Pep Guardiola’s appointment was met with skepticism since he was inexperienced having only previously coached Barcelona’s B team. Nevertheless, Guardiola came in and brought with him a style of football that had previously taken FC Barcelona to European glory in 1992 and 4 consecutive La Liga titles between 1991-1994; Tiki-Taka.
Tika-Taka is an evolution of Total Football, a style of football that characterizes in maintaining possession of the ball. Pep Guardiola and his Barcelona side would dominate world football for the next 4 years with his system. But how was this done? what made FC Barcelona so successful? Here are 4 main tactics used by FC Barcelona under Guardiola:
The “False 9”-A creative center forward
A false 9 is a term used to describe a center forward that drops to the midfield to help midfielders create plays and forces the center backs to push forward which creates space for the wingers to make runs inside.
Watch Lionel Messi assume his role 10 minutes into the match as the false 9 for the first time under Pep Guardiola and the devastating effect this tactical move has on Real Madrid:
Position- It is all about staying in your area
Pep Guardiola implemented a system that required players to maintain a high level of positional discipline for the entire system to work. All players needed to maintain their position to take advantage of the space created through long periods of possession. This would allow Barcelona players to pass quickly and confidently knowing their teammates would be there to receive the pass and help transition from possession to attacking once in the attacking third of the field where players were free to do and move as they please to finish the play.
Thierry Henry, Former FC Barcelona striker explains the importance of possession under Pep Guardiola:
Possession- Pass, pass, pass!
Tiki-Taka concentrates in keeping possession of the ball by passing the ball in short and quick successive passes while moving around to create triangles between Barcelona players. The goal is to maintain possession until finding the space to connect with the strikers and forcing the opposite team to chase after the ball and exhausting their energy in the process.
Watch Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo getting caught in FC Barcelona’s possession triangle:
Pressure- The 6 second rule
FC Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka is centered around possession of the ball. However, when the team loses possession of the ball, the entire focus would shift to recovering it. Thus, Guardiola introduced “the 6 second rule.” When the team lost the ball. the entire team would compress their formation to close down any space in the middle and force the opponents to go for the long pass. Additionally, the Barcelona players closest to the ball would rush to the opponent holding the ball to force him into passing quickly or losing the ball in a matter of 6 seconds.
Watch FC Barcelona exercising the 6 second rule against rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico in November of 2010
FC Barcelona won a total of 14 trophies in 4 seasons under Pep Guardiola and since his departure from the club at the end of 2012 FC Barcelona has continued to play this system. Here are some highlights of FC Barcelona’s incredible Tiki-Taka plays and goals:
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