From: waring@max.physics.sunysb.edu (Martin Waring)
Subject: Re: The State Of English Soccer
Organization: Institute for the Theoretical Physics
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 19:36:02 GMT

In article <1993Jan21.172101.10523@bnr.uk> philipn@bmdhh202.bnr.ca (Philip Nortey) writes:

>We have been getting live coverage of Italian soccer in England for the
>last few months and I have been disturbed at the lack of technical ability
>and skill that the vast majority of players in the English league have
>compared to their Italian counterparts.
>

On Long Island here in the great US of A we have also just begun to get
Channel 4 (I think) coverage of Italian league matches in their entirety.
They are weeks old methinks but I never follow Italian soccer much anyway.

However a very pleasant change and a welcome addition to our English soccer
(1 hour highlights + a full game about every other week) & our Scottish
soccer (used to a a full game every Sunday) & our European highlights
(1 hour every week). I'm just trying to make soccer fans in the South
jealous :-).

My impresssions :

The first game I saw was A.C. Milan beating someone (I cant even remember now)
but it was 4-1 or 5-3 or something (Lazio, perhaps).
The football was STUNNING -- tremendous passing and movement off the ball.
I was quite impressed and would then have definitely agreed with 
the above post.

However, last week it was Napoli vs Juventus and I couldnt believe how
bad the defending was. The Italian style is obviously to allow everyone
as much space as they want in the Midfield.

Indeed, both commentators I heard (Ray Wilkins, who was excellent) and Paul
Elliot both commented on the poor marking and general overall sloppiness
at the back.

>It seems as though the superior skill of the European clubs is beginning to
>tell against the 'lob the ball into the penalty area' philiosophy that is
>the scurge of English soccer. 

It only seems like everyone lobs the ball into the penalty area. This is
rather a sweeping generalisation based on certain clubs who used thay style.

English soccer is characterised by the earlier ball and the direct method.
If you ever play against Italians and S. Americans and Spanish I have
noticed they do love to hold the play up in midfield when a good early ball
will split the defence. The reason they do this is that the early ball is 
harder to play and thereby there is more danger of losing possession.
In England the "hustling" style of play will more often regain possession
so it is not so important.

As we all know every club in any country usually has a different style
of doing things -- the key to winning is to adopt the best style to suit
the skills of your playing staff (or suit your playing staff to the style of
the club aka A.C. Milan).


>My fear is that unless things change soon, English soccer could go downhill
>when judged on a European and worldwide level. 

I think it has been going downhill for the last 20 years.
And for the very reasons you outline -- not a good enough ball skill level
for youngsters who get away with playing a physical game.

>It is already very difficult
>to beat so called 'weak' teams such as Cameroon. 

This is not a good example -- remeber any team (good or bad) can have its
day of glory (or days), elevating its game above its normal standard due to
some external influence (playing in the World Cup finals for instance).
Thus if England played Cameroon 10 times how many times do you think they would
lose ? (Alright 5).

> Those of you who watched
>the 1990 world cup closely will remember how the Endland defence was cut to
>ribbons by some very skillful play .....
>
>- Phil 

Any defence in the WORLD is cut apart by the right sort of skillful football.

Anyway, my idea in this has not been to start an "is Italian style better than
English style" argument.
I still find The English soccer more entertaining but this is probably cos:
1) know more players
2) better TV coverage
3) Im a defender at heart so I cant stand watching Van Basten (of all people)
allowed the space he gets INSIDE the penalty area.
4) games are more even

Best wishes to all
-- 
Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer