Sudáfrica 2010 - FIFA.com

76 Trends
Trends
1) A “new” generation of players
Thanks to FIFA’s development programmes, which were
launched by then FIFA Technical Director Joseph S. Blatter in
1975 before being expanded upon by the confederations
and associations, there are no longer any “small” or “weak”
national teams.
The success and the breakthrough of young players has
been clear for all to see. Altogether, there were 123 players
under the age of 23 (born on or after 1 January 1987) at this
World Cup, and 99 of these players were actually fi elded.
Many teams had a number of U-23 players in their ranks.
Germany used nine such players, whereas Ghana fi elded
eight, Argentina used seven, Spain, Serbia, Cameroon and
Mexico all had six, and Chile boasted fi ve such players. All
of these teams played a successful, refreshing brand of
attacking football. This “new” generation of footballers are
technically excellent, they have a good understanding of
tactics and they are mentally well prepared.
2) Creativity
To break down compact defences in modern football,
teams are increasingly turning to players who:
• can dribble
• can catch opponents off guard and sell dummies
• excel in one-on-one situations
• can dribble their way into the opposition penalty area
before shooting (e.g. David Villa v. Honduras in the group
stage)
• can read the game well to make a darting run or to
play a quick pass to bring their team-mates into play.
Take Brazil’s Felipe Melo in the quarter-fi nal against the
Netherlands when he released Robinho, for example,
or Germany’s Schweinsteiger in the quarter-fi nal
against Argentina when he set up a goal for Friedrich.
Such players have football brains, are quick to
read the game and can outfox the opposition
defence with an outstanding piece of individual
skill.