An 8-1 aggregate victory to Bundesliga teams over Barca and Real Madrid could signal the end of the passing game.
After Borussia Dortmund beat Real Madrid 4-1 and Bayern Munich put four past Barcelona in the Champions League semi finals, onlookers think it could be the end of a passing era.
Barcelona have dominated European football for the best part of a decade, winning three Champions League trophies through a style known as ‘tiki-taka’ – passing in triangles and hogging the possession.
The Catalans’ reliance on technically gifted players as supposed to strong units has been praised the world over and it is a style their great rivals Real have aimed to emulate.
Yet after the last two Bundesliga champions put the Spanish giants to the sword this week, it may signal the end of short passes and the preservation of possession.
Both Real and Barca dominated the ball with 56% and 66% of the possession respectively, yet the compact and physical style of the Germans prevailed.
A philosophy that involves high tempo pressure in the opponent’s half did not work for the Spaniards, whilst the counter-attacking of the Germans was lethal and precise.
“On every individual battle on the pitch they were stronger than us, they more aggressive physically, they were more aggressive mentally,” Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports.
Even the great Lionel Messi could not get into the game against Bayern, making just seven passes in the opposition half and looking lethargic throughout.
The mastermind behind the Barca philospohy, Pep Guardiola, is Munich-bound next season to take charge of the Bundesliga champions.
German football has already received so much praise in the last 12 months, but maybe the move of one of the most revered managers in world football could represent the start of a continental shift in dominance.
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