After engaging in various conversations with a multitude of people, every time football was mentioned, one of the main objections to watch football games people would bring up was their inability to understand how the points were awarded and why there was more than one champion in one season. Their inability to understand these basic things would often discourage them from watching the following games despite admitting that they enjoy watching the beautiful game.
In an effort to help people have a better understanding and to finally enjoy football in its full glory, here is a quick, easy, and simplified guide of the two systems used by the Spanish “La Liga”, one of the best leagues in the world.
League System
Cup System
1.- League System
In its simplest form, a league system is composed of 20 teams. Each of the teams must play against each other twice, each plays once as the hosting team and once as the visitor team throughout the season for a total of 38 games. The league champion is decided by a point system. Each win awards 3 points to the team, a draw gives both teams 1 point, and a defeat awards no points to the team. At the end of the season the team with the highest amount of points is crown Champion. The 3 lowest teams at the end of the season are relegated to a lower division and the 3 highest teams from the lower division are promoted to improve the competition the following season.
The cup system involves teams from various divisions within the country. It often involves the lower tiers playing off to reach the round of 32, in which all 20 1st division teams are automatically qualified and the remaining spots are filled with lower division teams. The 32 teams are divided in a draw to 16 fixtures which play a 2 game elimination to progress to the round of 16. This process is then repeated until 2 teams remain to face each other in a single match to determine the Champion.
Once the Champions have been crowned in both competition, they will face each other in the beginning of the following season to determined the ultimate winner in a 2 fixture thriller named “The Supercup”
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In the aftermath of FIFA’s scandals, Newly-appointed President Gianni Infantino seeks to steer the organization in a new direction. Starting by restructuring the World Cup, Infantino’s plan aims to promote football by bringing more countries into the final competition.
In the aftermath of FIFA’s 2015 scandals, newly appointed FIFA President Gianni Infantino has unveiled his plan to steer the organization into a new direction. Titled “FIFA 2.0: The Vision for the Future“, Infantino’s plan proposes a wide range of changes to the game and the organization itself. However, his most notable and controversial change is his proposed restructuring of the World Cup.
Current Format
Under the current format, there are 208 Member Associations, divided into 6 Qualification Zones. 32 Nations take part on the final tournament hosted every four years.
31 nations will qualify to the World Cup Finals, and the host nation will be automatically qualified to make up the 32 . Each zone has been allocated a set number of slots for the final tournament.
Slots allocated per qualifying zone:
Africa- 5 Slots
Asia- 4.5 Slots
Europe- 13 Slots
North America and Central America- 3.5 Slots
South America-4.5 Slots
Oceania- 0.5 Slots
The nations that secure the 0.5 slot in each of the qualification zones must play an intercontinental playoff to secure their spot on the final tournament.
Once the 32 nations have been determined, they are divided into 8 groups of 4. This is done through a draw which ensures the even distribution of countries from all 6 regions.
The 4 countries then play each other once to claim 3 point per win, 1 point in a draw, and 0 points in a loss. The best 2 teams of each group advance to the knockout round to play single elimination games all the way to the final match. The winner is then crowned the reigning world champion for the next 4 years.
Gianni Infantino’s new vision seeks to increase the amount of nations from 32 to 48 starting in the 2026 edition.
The new format would have 16 seeded countries who win qualification as leaders in their zones, and 32 teams who would have to face each other in single match elimination to determine the remaining 16 teams. Once the 32 teams have been determined, the world cup would resume in the traditional fashion.
Infantino’s proposal has been met with some resistance and critics argue that increasing the number of teams will only dilute the quality of the competition. However, Infantino believes that increasing the number of participants will only enhance the experience and it would promote football by getting more countries involved.
These changes are still under consideration and the final decision will be taken by FIFA in January.
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After appointing Head Coach Pep Guardiola in 2008, FC Barcelona adopted what is now their well known Tiki-Taka style. A Style that elevated the Catalan Giants to a level of success never before seen in football. In only 4 seasons, they conquered 14 out of the 19 competitions they participated in. FC Barcelona consistently steamrolled the opposition and blowouts were the norm. The team often seemed unstoppable with results that surpassed the 5 goal mark. Yet, despite their incredible form, a handful of teams manage to defeat FC Barcelona. So, how did they do it? What tactics did they use to stop the attacking prowess of the likes of Messi, David Villa, Pedro, and Alexis Sanchez? How did they block the crative masterminds of Iniesta and Xavi in the midfield? How did they manage to beat the defensive wall of Pique and Mascherano on the back?
Let’s take a look at some of the tactics used by the teams that managed to stop what is arguably one of the best teams the beautiful game has ever seen.
Ultra Defensive Tactics- “Parking the Bus”
FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2010
After having won all 6 competitions in 2009, FC Barcelona was defending their UEFA Champions League crown against Inter Milan in the semi-finals, who were under the command of Portuguese Head Coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho would be the first to exploit the weaknesses in Barcelona’s style and he would later expose them even further with his Real Madrid side in 2011.
On April 20th, 2010. FC Barcelona suffered a 3-1 away defeat against Inter Milan. It was the first significant defeat of the season and it proved an insurmountable score when in the return game FC Barcelona was knocked off the competition despite a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at home with a 3-2 aggregate score.
Jose Mourinho deployed a 4-3-1-2, his default formation during the 2009/2010 campaign. This particular formation would have 3 defensive midfielder sitting in front of the defenders and rely mostly on the counterattack spearheaded by Diego Milito, followed by Samuel Eto’o and Wesley Sneijder. The key to this formation was the 3 defensive midfielder who neutralized the creative midfielders in Barcelona. Likewise, Eto’o and Sneijder would open to the wings to aid in the defensive efforts by blocking Barcelona’s Fullbacks in the attack. Inter Milan exposed that FC Barcelona, while maintaining possession, would often maintain a high defensive line which could be exploited with quick and decisive counterattacks due to the lack of pace in Barcelona’s defense.
FC Barcelona vs Chelsea FC, UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2012
Another significant defeat came in at the hands of Chelsea, once again as defending champions in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2012. Under newly appointed interim Coach Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea had managed to beat FC Barcelona in the first leg of the series at home 1-0. Having the home goal advantage, Chelsea was determined to shutdown Barcelona at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
After having Scored the 1st goal and having Chelsea’s John Terry sent off for a horrendous knee on Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez, Barcelona quickly took advantage of the numerical superiority and scored a 2nd goal to get the clear lead on aggregate. However, Chelsea would immediately recover through Ramirez who chipped Barcelona’s goalkeeper Valdez in injury time right before halftime. It was all Chelsea needed. They could now close every avenue of attack and that’s precisely what they did. In the second half they shifted to a 6-3 formation, effectively “Parking the bus” or placing 9 defenders and shutting down Barcelona’s attack from every angle. FC Barcelona was unable to crack Chelsea’s “Bus” and Chelsea punished them once more in the dying moments of the game when, Spanish international and Chelsea’s 50 million investment, Fernando Torres took advantage of the defensive high line outpacing Sergio Busquets and beating a hopeless Valdez for a final 2-2, 3-2 in aggregate, and ending FC Barcelona’s European hopes.
High Pressure Tactics- “Mourinho Once Again”
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF, Copa del Rey Final 2011
Having been in a trophy drought, caused mainly by archrivals FC Barcelona’s incredible form, Real Madrid would finally win silverware by beating none other than their bitter Catalan foes in dramatic fashion 1-0 in overtime at the Copa del Rey Final. Jose Mourinho implemented an extremely fast pace, high pressure, system which required high levels of stamina which only an elite club like Real Madrid could effectively execute.
Jose Murinho’s Real Madrid fielded his 2010/2011 4-2-3-1 default formation which was design to press high on the opponent. Starting with their main man, Cristiano Ronaldo, the goal was to pressure Barcelona high in their own half to force them into passing the ball while the next 4 Madrid players applied pressure on the Barcelona man receiving the pass. Madrid aimed to never let FC Barcelona get comfortable in the midfield where they were prone to produce their most dangerous opportunities through Xavi and Iniesta. And it was precisely this pressure that led to Xavi and Messi losing the ball between 4 Real Madrid players in the center of the field which immediately transitioned into the attack to cross the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo who rose above left back Adriano and placed his header into the net.
FC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2013
Lastly, after Jose Mourinho had exposed Barcelona’s weaknesses, other clubs began to counteract Barcelona’s system. And the best example, and arguably what made Guardiola’s Tiki Taka a thing of the past, was the 4-0 home trashing perpetuated by German side FC Bayern Munich in the 2012-2013 Champions League semi-final and followed by yet another 3-0 trashing in the away leg at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Bayern Munich, under the leadership of Jupp Heynckes, started with a traditional 4-4-2. The key to their victories was their ability to exploit the already exposed weaknesses Barcelona had. Bayern Munich had a solid performance in their backline and their wingers were successful in tracking Barcelona’s fullbacks the entire time. In the middle, 4 players would pressure Messi every single time and Javi Martinez man-marking Andres Iniesta rendering them ineffective in the first game. And their counterattack was magnificent down the wings with Frank Ribery and Arjen Roben proving the difference makers in the games.
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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:
Jamie Vardy has a particular success story. In a highly competitive sport dominated by naturally talented players, Jamie Vardy is a world class striker who reached his dream by making his way up to the top through the lower divisions of English football.
In a sport dominated by the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, among other great players, all of which have one thing in common; undeniable talent from a young age.
These players went through the academy system (youth development program) in different teams and eventually reached their respective 1st teams. The reality for most young amateur players, is that if they are not talented, or show clear potential for growth, they will eventually get dropped from the academy by their clubs. Such is the level of competition and cruel reality in professional football.
Jamie Vardy, unlike these players, became just another youngster falling short of his dream at the age of 16 when Sheffield Wednesday FC axed him from their youth program due to his below average size. Anyone who has ever experienced this at any level can attest of the devastating effects it can have on a young player’s psychological development.
However, for Jamie Vardy, this would not be the end of his dream but the beginning of a journey that would come to inspire thousands of football fans while destroying stereotypes and defying extraordinary odds along the way.
Following his dismissal from SWFC, Jamie would join Stocksbridge Park Steels youth program. It was here that Vardy would begin his journey to the top. He began by making it to the reserves and eventually the 1st team. Earning £30 per week, Vardy would work 12 hour shifts at a carbon fiber factory to make ends meet. He would eventually help his side win promotion to the 7th division of English football in the 2008-2009 season.
After an unsuccessful trial in 2009 with Crewe Alexandra, a League Two(4th Division) side, Vardy would join 7th Division F. C. Halifax Town in 2010. In his first season, Vardy scored 26 goals and received the club’s “Player’s Player of the Year” award. In the following season, he joined 5th Division side Fleet Town FC. Jamie established himself as a key player and scored and impressive 31 goals in 37 appearances.
Vardy’s impressive form would earn him a £1,000,000 record breaking move to Leicester City FC in 2012. The Foxes were a Championship side at the time and Jamie Vardy was crucial to reaching the title in the 2013-2014 which saw them promoted to the English top flight; the Premier League.
His first season at Leicester City was met with criticism and Jamie was at the verge of quitting football altogether. Leicester’s manager, Nigel Pearson intervened and motivated Vardy to continue. Vardy and the Foxes would go on to reach the Premier League and incredibly fight off relegation their first season on the top flight. In the 2015-2016, under new manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City FC did the unthinkable and won the Premier League on May 2nd, 2016. Vardy was essential to reaching the title by scoring 24 goals and breaking Ruud Van Nistelroy’s record of consecutively scoring in 10 games by scoring in 12 consecutive games at the age of 28.
Jamie Vardy has a particular success story. Less than 5 years ago he was playing in the 7th division of English football, and he is now a champion in the Premier League. He is living proof that hard work and dedication can overcome obstacles and adversities. In a highly competitive sport, Jamie Vardy serves as an example to all young players who seek to one day become professional players of what they too can potentially achieve when facing adverse situations along their journeys.
Watch all of his incredible goals during Leicester City 2015-2016 title winning campaign here
Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has delighted us with some incredible goals in various forms, different styles, and unbelievable angles. But among those goals, there are 5 goals that have immortalized him and carved his name among the greatest in the history of the beautiful game.
5. Barcelona vs Manchester United- UEFA Champions League Final, 2009
In Barcelona’s 3rd European championship, and first under Pep Guardiola, Messi would prove to be one of the world’s best. As a 19-year-old, Messi would come to score an unbelievable number of goals later on in his career, but back in the Champions League Final in 2009 he stunned the world and silenced the critics by leaping into the air and connecting with Xavi’s cross to leave Manchester’s Edwin Van Der Sar out of reach when the ball made its way to the left side of the net. With 20 minutes remaining, Messi’s goal gave Barcelona the insurance they needed and went on to become the European champions for a 3rd time in their club history.
4. Barcelona vs Real Madrid- UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, 2011
“El clásico” is the ultimate showdown in club football. And in this particular match, Messi played exceptionally and single handily destroyed Real Madrid’s defense in a flash of brilliance. After 86 minutes played at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Barcelona had a 1 goal lead provided by none other than Messi and the game seemed to be ending with no further action. However, Messi dashed towards Madrid’s goal after Sergio Busquets set up the ball for him just above midfield. After collecting the ball, Messi headed straight for goal getting past Madrid’s Lassana Diarra, changing direction to his right to evade Raul Albidol, speeding up to beat Marcelo, and soft-touching the ball to beat the goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Sergio Ramos gave chase, but was not able to reach Messi in time and fell flat after the shot by Messi.
3. Barcelona vs Bayern Munich- UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, 2015
After 77 minutes of the match with neither side having scored, due in part by the incredible performance of Bayern goalkeeper and German international Manuel Neuer, Messi placed a shot low and to the left side of the goalkeeper who was not able to stop it. Although it was a beautiful goal, it cannot be compared to what came only 3 minutes later. Ivan Rakitic passed the ball to Messi from the midfield, who then turned to face the defense. In his path he found Jerome Boateng, a world class defender that fell hopeless and in defeat when Messi switched direction right in front of him. After turning Boateng into a meme and an internet sensation, Messi then chipped the ball over Neuer who could not do anything but witness, as most keepers do when facing Messi 1-on-1, the ball finding the back of the net.
2. Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao- Copa del Rey Final, 2015
Having secured their domestic league title, Barcelona had the Copa del Rey in sights. Barcelona would come into this match as a clear favorite. With Leo Messi in top form, it only took the Argentine less than 20 minutes to make his mark in Copa del Rey Final history. In only 12 seconds, Messi carried the ball from midfield all the way to the back of Bilbao’s net leaving 4 players in his wake. It began when Leo received a pass from Dani Alves on the right side of the field. Messi then faced 3 Bilbao players before getting inside of the 18-yard box. Once inside, he cut left, defeating the last defender and then placed a shot to the first post where the outstretched goalkeeper could not reach and secured Barcelona’s lead early in the game. Barcelona would go on to win the game and another Copa del Rey.
1. Barcelona vs Getafe- Copa del Rey Semi-Final, 2007
Arguably one of the greatest goals in the history of the game, Messi received a pass from Xavi Hernandez close to the sideline. After two small touches, he left Getafe’s midfielder Javier Paredes stunned. A final third touched was enough to nutmeg Nacho Perez and aim for goal.
With both Nacho and Javier behind him and hot on his pursuit, Messi faced defenders Alexis Ruano and David Belenguer who were eagerly waiting for him. Messi, with yet again a few touches, ran right through the defense. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Messi made a move to his right to defeat Getafe’s goalkeeper Luis Garcia and touched the ball in with his right foot.
In the aftermath, the crowd erupted in celebration and even Messi’s teammates were stunned with the jewel of a goal they had just witnessed. Barcelona’s strickers Samuel Eto’o and Gudjohnsen , placed their hands on their faces and the back of their heads multiple occasions in disbelief.
Lionel Messi has produced a plethora of goals throughout his career, and he is certainly not finished gifting the football world with his genius. These 5 goals are simply a short highlight to his impressive goal count and footballing god-like ability that has earned him the comparison to the greatest names of the game; Pele and Maradona. Whether he is as good or even better than them is a topic for another time, but one thing is certain- Messi has now entered the football pantheon.
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