The Time Machine
Stone Age
The drive to Limavady was beautiful. Donkeys, a heard of running sheep, a wonderful road side waterfall and, remarkably, sunshine. The match that followed was something less than beautiful.
Brentford faced Strikers USA in the Junior section. Brentford were neat and tidy throughout. They built from the back and looked to keep possession. On this occasion the final ball was lacking but late in the game a chance arrived which was gleefully taken.
The eye catchers in this game were Strikers USA.
From the kick off they shot. The ball rolled across and belted as hard as possible. Unsurprisingly the shot was blocked but my eyebrows were instantly raised.
Smashing and belting became the theme. Strikers looking to hit their centre forward early. From all positions and all angles. The ball pumped into their forward at a variety of heights for him to fight for.
The style relied on power, pace, long shots and set plays. Come the second half Brentford began to dribble at them. Strikers just kicked their opponents. Foul after foul of increasing ferocity. Eventually it was one fierce challenge too many and the referee waved the red card.
Yesterday technique and short passing dominated. The style of Strikers came as a culture shock. Even when compared to the grassroots football dished up on a Sunday this was brutal on the eye.
The Bronze Age
France vs Mexico. Vendee vs Club America.
This Premier section game showcased higher technical levels and contrasting philosophies on how to score a goal.
For the first time at this Milk Cup I witnessed a team play with two strikers. Club America, like their North American compatriots, looked to get the ball into the forward’s quickly. The big difference was the quality of the service, aimed at the feet or chest to allow for swift combinations. The two wide players tucked infield. This made the game narrow but provided extra support to the front two.
The Vendee wide players stayed wide. Crosses provided the threat from the French. Particularly from the left hand side. The Vendee method worked the ball to that side where the wide player would beat his full back on the outside and deliver into the box.
Club America enjoyed more of the possession but the crosses always gave Vendee a threat.
As the game continued it became apparent that Club America wanted to isolate opponents and create 1v1 opportunities. Looking for the chance to display individual skills. That individualism became the hall mark of the second half. The final 4-1 scoreline completely deserved. Two memorable moments underlining Club America’s individual technique.
The first was goal number three. The ball fizzed into one of the strikers. Into his chest and controlled sharply. The striker had his back to goal on the edge of the box. As the ball bounced he pivoted, swivelling to shoot left footed. The ball crashed in off the underside of the bar. A fantastic goal reminiscent of Drogba at his Chelsea peak.
The second moment was not a goal. It began with a Vendee free kick from wide on their right side. The ball curled in and the Club America goalkeeper caught the ball cleanly. Immediately one of the strikers started to run towards space and a solitary defender. His goalkeeper spotted it and kicked from his hands into the striker’s path. The 1v1 had been created. The Club America player beat the defender only to be faced by recovering defenders. Two of those were beaten. Just inside the Vendee area the shot came. A left footed clip that kissed the crossbar on the way over. Electrifying play.
Club America and Strikers. The same continent but light years apart.
The Digital Age
The grand finale of this day. Malaga and Partick in the Premier section. High hopes programmed into my brain for this game. The reputation of Spanish development methods had heightened my expectancy.
I was not let down.
The passing was as sharp and snappy as one might imagine. The two Malaga central defenders split wide, a midfield player filled the space in between them and another midfielder formed the upper point of a diamond. This created a 4 v 2 rondo in which these players merrily kept the possession until a better option presented itself.
Often this option came from left back. The Malaga full back rampaging in his attacking intent. Making runs in behind the Scottish opponents which the rondoing team mates could pick out once they felt satisfied enough of the other team had been sacked towards them, creating more space.
As wonderful as the passing style was to see in action the most striking thing about Malaga was their decision making. Whether to pass. Whether to dribble. When to retain possession. When to penetrate. Never did it feel like they forced the issue yet it never felt like they had possession for possession’s sake. Always they seemed to be in the right places at the right times. It felt as if Malaga’s players had learned the game by playing the game. Gathering a vast amount of game intelligence at an early age. They looked like a group of players for whom the learning had been completed and are itching ton take their final exams.
Malaga dominated Partick with a 5-0 scoreline. The football they showed belonging to a different time line.