CHENNAI: It’s the tactical battle that defines modern football — the pragmatist versus the entertainer, the man who cares about aesthetics against the man who thinks only about the result. The main theatres of war are the football grounds of Europe, while the Jose Mourinhos and the Pep Guardiolas of this world are the men who matter.
While India, a few years ago, would have watched this conflict from afar, the Indian Super League’s mass import of footballing brains and brawns has ensured that it has become a stage for some minor skirmishes of the larger ideological battle.
Take FC Goa against Chennaiyin FC in the second leg of ISL’s second semifinal. No team, not even mighty Bengaluru FC, outscored the free-flowing Goans in the group stages. None of the other three qualifiers managed to score less than Chennaiyin. Sergio Lobera’s team strung together 2000 more passes than their opponents in the tournament.
In the first leg of their semifinal, Goa had 63% of the ball and twice the number of passes as Chennaiyin. Yet it was John Gregory’s men who returned home from Goa with a vital advantage — a priceless away goal that guarantees that Chennaiyin will go through as long as they prevent Goa from scoring.
Gregory’s pre-match press conference on Monday was eerily similar to Mourinho’s defence of his tactics after Manchester United’s win over Liverpool during the weekend. “We were quite content the other night with them having the ball in their half of the pitch,” Gregory said. “We worked exceptionally hard and we were disappointed that we did not take some chances. We should have been ahead on goals but it was a hard-earned draw.”
The Englishman, however, believes that Chennaiyin were able to come away from Goa with an advantage, albeit a minor one. “We’re delighted that we have an away goal but it is a minimal advantage. It is not something we’re going to think about,” Gregory said.
“Of course, if they score, it changes the complexion of the game. My players will be very aware of the situation in case we ship a goal.
“Goa are a team that relies on possession football. To match them, we have to be defensively solid. They will play their way against any team, whether it is Bengaluru or NorthEast. To get the ball from them, you have to work hard and hold on to it when you get it.”
While Lobera has been widely praised for the eye-pleasing style that he has adopted at Goa, he has had to face questions about the effect that it has had on his defence. Those grew even louder after his side failed to come away from the first leg with a tangible advantage.
“We are the top goal-scorers in the league. We have the highest scorer of the league as well. It is also true that our style of play has risks involved and we end up shipping goals,” he said.
“We need to play the way we know to play. We will go out there looking to win the game. We are playing a tough team. But we are going to keep playing our brand of football because I think that makes us the strongest.”
vishnu.prasad@newindianexpress.com