I WILL VOTE NO, BUT MAYBE WE HAVE TO VOTE YES

From Monday (1-20-2014), when I wrote the last post explaining my reasons for voting "NO" to reform the Camp Nou, the facts have been at breakneck speed. Rosell resigned as president on Thursday and Friday, the new president, Josep Maria Bartomeu explained odds Neymar contract that, after all, and tell us what they tell us, has been the reason for the resignation. Beyond that, it is not acceptable under any circumstances, the threats that Rosell and his family have received. Violence can never be excused .

Rosell and Bartomeu have castled on the 57.1M€ as final price of the sale of Neymar to Barça. Of these, 17.1M€ are for Santos (the team Neymar played) and 40M€ for a company owned by the parents of Neymar (N&N), which has the rights to decide, as we were told, where should Neymar play once his contract with the Brazilian team is over.

Paint as you want, but the 10M€ "signing bonus" and 2.7M€ of commission for the Player Agent (father, are part of the transfer. That is, the direct price of the transfer of Neymar price is 69.8M€. Translated, it means that the Board has cheated us. So clear. But there's more. There are a number of contracts with different companies of Neymar's family that if the player had not signed for the club they would not exist. In a few days I will talk about one of them (400,000€ per year for scouting). All this means that the final price of this signing goes into the environment of the € 90M, you say it the way you want to say it.

According to what Bartomeu explained, the player will get 8.8M€/year (44 in total), including awards for titles (Guaranteed they are won or not. In which company are you objectives payed even if you don't get them? Wacky and embarrassing), with a prize additional of 2M€ if the player is a finalist in the FIFA World player awards.

All this means that, like it or not, Neymar will get, for playing for FC Barcelona, ​​an amount close to 100M€ for the 5 seasons he has to play. 20M€ per season. They can explain it as they want it. Because nobody swallows beyond the legal issues of whether the 40M€ received are reportable tax in one way or another, that this money, plus the signing bonus, will go, in one way or another to Neymar .

And this is where the show begins. Messi has to renew his contract and, as it  has been repeated and logically, he should be the highest paid player in the squad. 12M€/ season? 15? Or maybe 25? Because obviously, I guess Messi 's father, after seen what we all have seen, will also asked these 40M€ that N&N has received. Or perhaps 50. Have no doubt.

And Iniesta will come later, who was told it would be the second best paid player. If Messi, one way or another, will take 25M€ and Neymar around 20M€, it is logical to expect that Iniesta will be on the 22-23M€ mark. This means that these 3 players will get around 70M€, and this is more than 10% of the GLOBAL budget of Club. No jokes.

More things. There is a pending lawsuit over the issue of the facade of the new Masia. Demand is 100M€, according to what I have been told, it should be provisioned for accounting, ie, include at the annual balance sheet as losses.

To make it a little bit more complicated is the issue of "civil responsibility action" and the fact that Directors are required (by agreement of the same Board), to respond for the debts that they can have at the end of their term.

This could make that losses this year, maybe next one, can very high. And, the Board completes its mandate in 2016. This means they must make quick actions. And, to balance these losses there are only two options: either put the personal assets of the directors to cover the deficit or to sell. In the first case, I do not know if all the directors have (or want to spend), the money (we're talking at least about 150M€) to cover this debt. And if they do not want to put it out of their pockets, they will have to sell. And the easiest to sell are two things: the name of the Stadium (which, as you know, is already included in the planned reform) or, ... Leo Messi. If they sell Messi they will have as unique star the one they wanted and that they brought to the Camp Nou. How can you sell Messi without a "civil war" in the club? They will do it. They will sell us what is so appropriate: if the offer is impossible to say, that if we save so much money, that if we guarantee the future of the Club, etc. Do not worry that together them and the press that follows their "game" they will find a way, as they have found it to make us believe what they want.

Another thing is, in a few weeks, the referendum/consultation about the reform of the Camp Nou. A few days ago I explained my reasons for voting NO to this reform (I will vote NO). If the query is negative , the Board will be forced to resign, much to speak of that consultation is not binding. You can not say that is the most important project of the past 50 years and, if lost, continue to lead the Club. They must leave. And, as we said before, with a very high possibility of losses to be assumed.

But of course, with what money will this reform be done if, the first to do is to cover the debt that will be generated by what we said before? Impossible to do. Moreover, they can not do the query , then due have insisted again and again that will.

So, I 'm afraid the only solution is to vote "yes" to the query so that it wins. The "yes", wins, but that reform is not made. This would allow the current Board to get to 2016, have largely settled this debt, looking for other solutions (which, honestly, I do not see anywhere beyond these sales we have spoken), but they can always appear.

We can only hope that the trial MCM is not done, almost impossible. Or that Messi and Iniesta lower their claims. Even more impossible.

Therefore, I fear that if we want the club does not become ruined athletically and without the name of the Stadium, we will no other choice but to vote "yes " to the query reform, that also entails having a surname at Stadium. But at least enable the Board to seek solutions to avoid putting money from its pocket and still have Messi, which is something. Voting "no" will mean the Board leavein on a balloon, which could perhaps be the most interesting for us, if they do fast enough to have no time to sell anything or make any nonsense.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

I WILL VOTE NO

Finally, the Board of FC Barcelona has said its word on the subject of Reform/Enlarging of the Camp Nou. Beyond staging, very poor with that table where not fit all and it seemed that someone would come out at any time, that cocky fixation ("Next Question"), when they were questioned about the case of the signing of Neymar, Club representatives (Rosell, Faus, Moix, Freixa) , gave their reasons for voting in favor of reform.

They got theirs. I have mine, but to vote against it, as I guess you can also do the day of the consultation.

The first thing to be clear is that I am in favor of a reform in the Camp Nou. As I once said, I've seen a few stadiums in Europe, and the standards they have and, in most of the case we are talking about Clubs with lower level than Barça, are much higher than we have here. At all levels: Wi- Fi connections, Restaurants, Shops, etc.

That said, I will vote NO, because I have no more options to choose from. The Board dismissed a number of options. Why them? Why not we, the Partners, the owners of Club? On what basis they decide which options should we vote? If you have more than one, show them and then we'll decide what we want to do. And if you want to make easy, 3 options: New Stadium, Reform, Do nothing. And with the one that wins, we will decide what type of action. Now, this of "or this or nothing" does not seem the most appropriate.

I will vote NO, because the purpose of the reform (said by the same officials) is to increase the hospitality (VIP seats, so we understand), at match days and thereby make more money. That is, the most important thing is not the comfort of the fans, assumed that in a reform of this type should be the starting point, but cash on hand. No matter if the share-holders have more or less space to sit. Important that there are people on match days, that I bet what you want, what matters is to do business and not supporting the team.

I will vote NO, because the day of the vote you will have not seen any plans or diagrams or anything. There will be a model, it will be very nice, I guess, but we will not know how we will be distributed, who will change place due to works (temporarily or permanently), or who will have better location at no cost. I mean, first say YES or NO, to a work of 600M € and then we'll see how we do. Can anyone imagine ordering a house without a Project from an Architect? Well that's what we'll do. And think one thing. There must be a project for the Stadium, one for the new "Palau Blau Grana", one for the Annex to the Palau, one for Spatial urban environment, one for each building to be done, etc. Obviously, this will not be done for the 5th or 6th of April, neither 1 month earlier, which is the period that the members should have, at least, to watch and discuss. We will not see nor be no debate. Let us be clear .

I will vote NO, because it means the end of the Club as manager of its assets. It was said yesterday. Concessions for 50 and 99 years!!! All life. I think that nobody of us will be here to explain when these concessions are finished. The Management Club becomes external. Right now, you have the season-tickets, or Bar or services, catering at the Honor Box. Now, they will sell all new beverage services, and what isneeded. In fact, one of the companies responsible of the Reform Study (or rather, the one that made the study) is AEG, a specialist Sports facilities management company. For those who do not know, AEG is owned by the same sponsor that we carry in our shirt (part of the deal at the time?).

I will vote NO, because the Camp Nou can not have "surname ". Moreover, the figures given seem very out of market. Allianz pays 30M€ to have, for 30 years, its name in the stadium of Bayern. Here, 150M€ only for the "surname" ? Nobody believes it. And let no one confuse sentimentality with realism. Because they have said the Heritage Club is not sold and that all would be financed with own money. That is, the name of the stadium isn't Heritage, is it? The money obtained from the sale of the "name" is own money? I have not studied at ESADE and no place of these, but my knowledge of economics tell me that this is NO own money.

I will vote NO, because when Sandro Rosell ran for the presidency, said that the so called "Foster Project" was economically unfeasible (it was estimated around 300M€) and said that with an investment of 70M€ he could make the needed reform to adapt the Camp Nou. It turns out that the investment will be around 600M€ and that this amount is acceptable. Does anyone believe it? So much have been arranged for club finances that we can now afford this expense?

I will vote NO because the Board has no credibility. We have been fooled at all and they are cheating. The signing of Neymar is the latest episode. How can a journal go saying like "El Mundo" siad on Monday (20-1-2014) and did not go to the courts to quickly add a complaint? I just comes to my mind a solution: what they said was true and, if not, you must respect your name and the entity that you represent and act accordingly. And they have not. Maybe because they can not.

I will vote NO, because it does represent much more than a reform of the Stadium. It represents everything I 've said before, and much more. It represents to sell our soul and the club is not a Corporation. Barca is something ( much) more than that and, you can't play with feelings.

A final consideration. I am neither "pro" nor "anti" anything or anyone. In 2003 I voted Bassat ( He had Pep Guardiola as Technical Director). In 2007, I voted Laporta, because I understood that he was doing very well. When the non-confidence motion, I gave support to it , because I thought that the image he was selling was too far from the one that the President of Barça must show. I voted Rosell when he submitted, because I thought he was the best of all candidates and, if tomorrow we have a new motion of non-confidence to vote (something almost impossible with the new By-Laws, but that's another story), also I would support it. So clear.

Let's be clear. I will vote NO to this reform because we do not deserve it.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

P.S. By the way, does anyone remember if yesterday there was any comment about the kids?

THE REFORM OF CAMP NOU

Tomorrow, Monday, January 20th, 2014, the Board of Barça will meet and, apparently, there will be a decision about the future of Camp Nou: Reform or New Stadium. So far, the arguments that have appeared in the press could be signed by a 4 year old kid: "If San Mames was demolished, why not the Camp Nou", "It will be much more comfortable", "This is very old " "The renovation work would be an inconvenience for the Socis (Share-holders)", etc.. The fact is, however, nothing has been said about this reform: what will be and, or how it will. All we know is the approximate price: Reform: 600M€; New Stadium: 1200M€.

I shall not value what the Board said when elections on reforms and similar. Not my idea. I'm much more on what and why, in my view should be made to adapt the Camp Nou to the current requirements .

The first thing to consider is that the "letitmotiv" of Football stadiums were to watch games. Nothing more. This has changed: now, they are places to do business or, bring the family to spend the day. Therefore, what is needed is for people to be 1-2 hours before and to leave 1-2 hours after the game.

I've been in some stadiums in Europe. The first thing about the Camp Nou in favor is the immense space around what is the building itself. Neither Alvalade XXI, nor St. Jakob, nor Old Trafford, nor Aviva (Dublin), etc. have it. The esplanade behind the area "Lateral" (opposite the Main Grandstand), does not exist in any of these venues. And, this should be exploited. I recommend that anyone who can, go to Oslo, at the National Stadium, where, incidentally, Barça played this summer, and you can see that even there is a Hotel behind the stadium, which communicates with it and is used for the concentrations of the National team. It was a place to have a very clear idea of ​​the things you could do with the space around the stadium.

Then we have the lower side of the Stadium. In all these places, this area is full of shops, bars and restaurants. But, at Camp Nou, the area is just to access the seats and many of the doors are closed (for this about saving money). Couldn't they reorganize these spaces? The non-used gates are removed, 4-5 gates are put together and the remaining space can be used.

Let's go inside. The "Lateral" area (which is the one I know best), historically had 22 seats per row. It was right. The previous Board (Joan Laporta ), decided to put one more seat per row. They are 23. Now it is quite uncomfortable (tight). The worst thing is that the current Board (Sandro Rosell ), has not changed it. If you want commodities, 21 would be a suitable number, 20 would be more than fantastic. Today, you can not even move without taking a hit to the neighboring seat .

Then there is the whole area inside the Camp Nou, under and behind the stands. Today (and always), there are only 4 bars with exorbitant prices, with quality and quantity of a product that are not up to what the modern stadiums need. In all these places we have said (and many more) , all these areas are closed, with Restaurants and Bars with chairs and seats, where people can talk freely before and after the game. Where you can eat (snacks, meals, etc.), sitting comfortably and with prices (taking into account the difference in living standards between most of these countries and ours), far more affordable than here. But far more. And they remain places of passage to go from one part of the Stadium to another. That is, that the function of corridor is not lost. This is the more wasted space in the Camp Nou and the most exploited elsewhere. Given that the Camp Nou has three levels (rings), imagine the amount of dead space at the stadium. By the way, taking advantage of this, you could make a much more suitable toilets. Some 3rd Division stadiums have them much better.

At the time of Núñez, some "VIP Boxes" were built in the area of ​​the 2nd level. In many of these stadiums we have said, these areas for Sponsors and similar have a previous space where this people can sit quietly and do business or talk about what is appropriate. As we are saying, is about taking profit of all the spaces. Do we have to demolish some stairs or change them of place? Let's do it. Rearranging interior spaces is, as already stated , the great problem of Camp Nou.

In the main stand behind the bench, there is a kind of " VIP Box", since the capacity of the "Honour Box" is not very large. In every stadium that I know, these areas are located on the back, not in front. Basically, for two reasons. One is that, if it rains, people do not get wet. The second, that they have access to the Bar where they can take a drink quietly and watching the game if appropriate. Again, use of interior spaces.

There is a point that has also been discussed many times: Cover or not cover all the stands of the stadium. I support it. First, when it rains or is cold is much better. And if we are talking of commodities for the people who will watch the game, this is one. It is true that we do not have the weather they have in all these places located farther North, but to be under the rain, when you can not even open the umbrella because you are annoying your neighbor (back to the 23 seats)... The second reason is the sound effect. Any of these stadiums I have said have an incredible sounding. One of the reasons that makes listening to "You'll Never Walk Alone" at Anfield or Celtic Park, and the songs of the supporters of Borussia at the Westfalenstadion put the willies is the wonderful sound effect, as the cries of the people bounce off the deck and back into the field, multiplying the effect. At the Camp Nou, much of the noise is going to air. And surely, the neighborhood  would also appreciate, as it would a lot less of noise going outside.

All of this, however, nothing has been explained at all. Only that the reform will bring inconvenience for the fans. We already know all. But if it is not explained why and how you want to do, it seems that this is the excuse for a new stadium.

And if it is really needed to do it, let's do it. But it seems that there is no interest in adapting the Camp Nou to European levels. It seems that it has to be new, yes or yes, and I do not buy that. They have to show us all drawings, studies, etc. because after all, as I have said many times, the "owners" of the Club are we, the Socis.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

STILL LYING. AND STILL TAKING US FOR IDIOTS

A few days ago, when I made the previous post, I dind't think about making a sequel. In fact, I overlooked to mention the "journalists" because I thought that  they did not deserve a half line. I still think the same, but the degree of cynicism and servitude that I detect (and I 'm not the only one), is so outrageous that maybe they do deserve something more than good night and have fun .

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots. They have lied, by action or omission, when they do not explain everything that happens. If you do not know, do not say anything, but do not throw the stone and hide the hand. Because the first thing they do with this is to degrade and denigrate their work. Their first job is to report and then give opinions, if that is the case. But there are a lotr that just give opinions, withou giving any information. And, this is not right .

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action), when they want us to believe that we play as always, and, if not, it is because they had to do a transition that the "Demon" in Munich didn't do. And I wonder: Was it raised to the Board? Did they let him to do that? If you know, say so, but do not say things by halves. Are you sure everything will be fixed when Messi is back again ?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots  (by omission), when there is no a half line of concern about the actual cost of the signing of Neymar  The clauses do not care. The money difference between what the Clubs says and what is said in Brazil do not care. What kind of " journalism " is not investigating this? Was the issue of Neymar's Foundation in the deal? We know nothing. Thank you.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action) when now is dangerous that you have children without ticket into the Stadium. A few months ago, were all congratulations at the match against Getafe . Now, they say this is dangerous. Because there is a Regulation. Regulation that existed that day. Not new two months ago.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots ( by omission), if they say nothing about "Viagogos" and the established parallel resellers. Is this not important for the "share-holder" that they defend with such spirit? That we don't have to know where it goes all that money?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by omissions), for not to report about the agreements on advertising on the shirt and the stadium. The Board said that it explained at the time the General Assembly. May be they weren't there that day , because we read/watched/ heard very little about it, if anything.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission), when they talk about potential signings and players leaving. From the famous cover of Valdés, they have signed a handful of goalies, some of them for the simple fact that they played well against Barca. Now, it seems to be one determined to come. What is the reason behind? To be their friend? Or someone tells them to do advertising for all we believe is the ideal? (And I do not get into any assessment of him. It is not the case) Why no articles calling minutes for the youth players of the squad? Or, to say that they do not deserve it, if that's the case? Why are there so few reviews about the campaign of Barça B?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission), when they talk about building a new stadium. How you can let out one of these saying that "if San Mamés was demolished, you can also do it with the Camp Nou "? What argument is that? Is it time to defend a new stadium because the Board says it? Investigative journalism.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by action and omission) , when they say that nothing happens with Messi. Nobody has missed the rise of Juanjo Brau. Paulorrosso is in Argentina and nobody asks why. Is not he the responsible for the physical preparation of the team? Why is he leaving? Is it true that Messi is upset because Neymar gets more money than him? Is it true that he does not want to leave, but with everything that happens is he in doubt ?

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots (by omission) when they blame the LFP schedules. Clubs (their Boards) have sold their rights and have failed to negotiate this issue. Look at England, Italy or Germany. They get more money and have better schedules. But no, the fault is not theirs. Like the "FIFA virus" . The Clubs are the ones who decide in each Federation and these Associations that decide on FIFA. If 150 Federations choose to say the same thing  (whatever), and make it public, I shall count and what will come out when the song takes FIFA.

They are still lying and, also they are still taking us for idiots ( by action, by omission, and all together), because they have to explain what is happening and not what the Board says. We, the share-holders, are Club's owners and we deserve respect from their part, because we are (everyday less, and there must be a reason ), consumers of their product. If the Board does well, they must say it; if wrong, too. Not to silence the wrong things, because, in the end, we end knowing everything .

Do not continue lying. And do not continue thinking we're idiots .

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

THEY ARE LIYING. AND THEY TAKE US FOR IDIOTS

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots. Between what they say and what goes in newspapers, television, etc. it seems that the redemption of our sins is getting closer. And, it's not true.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we are led to believe that the way of playing that made the team by the now "demonized" was boring. 14 out of 19 with unanimity around the world, from China to the United States and from Finland to South Africa is boring? The same "Demon" that has made Jurgen Klopp, the latest victim, to say that he does not want to coach the best team. He says he now coaches to beat the best team.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that the way of playing is not important. What matters are the titles. It has nothing to do one thing with the other. We always want to win. Always. But we always want them to play well. And of course, we all accept that you can play poorly and win someday. It is clear. Perfection does not exist. Now, get closed in the back playing at Nou Camp against a Granada with 10 players to go on the counter ... What can I say.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when there are 40M€ (about 6,600M pesetas, to get an idea ), for the signing of Neymar that nobody knows where they are. Confidentiality clauses, they tell us. Commissions, they tell us. Everything is very clear. The problem is that in Brazil they say something different. Santos has gained 17.5 M€ and the club has paid 57.5 M€. 40M€ confidential?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say it's dangerous to have children without entry at Camp Nou. This has always happened. Now, it may be that the Holy Spirit has appeared and, therefore, there has never been any disgrace. It shall be unlawful, sure, because there is a law that says so. Illegal is not the same as dangerous.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say they do not know how to stop the "official" resale (not talking about the one on the street), of " Viagogos " and similar. How can it be that there are no tickets in the "Seient lliure" (Free seat system), and there are in these places ? How can it be that these people is selling tickets within not know how many games ? How can it be that a "Tribune seat" that costs 150€ or 180€ is sold for 1000€?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, with all the mess of advertising on the shirt and the stadium. When did they said that there would be a private company on the shirt ? When did they say that the company logo would be put on the seats of the North Stand? When did they say that the mural gallery with all Club players would disappear to make way for advertising of the sponsor of the shirt?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that everything is going well and that the Technical Secretariat is doing a great job . Why is Valdés leaving? Why is being so long the renewal of Iniesta? Why Bartra and Montoya are they thinking about it? Why Sergi Roberto wants to leave in January? Why Sanabria not want to renew? Why Muniesa left, or Thiago? Will Deulofeu return? Why the signing of  so "old" players for the  "B" team, when it should be used to promote youngsters?

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they talk about building a new stadium. One of the officials goes saying to media that there are no specific studies, but that a new venue would generate 30-40% more revenue than the current one. How do you know if you have not made ​​any study (this is what the same official said)? Why is not good now the " Foster" project (which, if I remember correctly, was ordered when when Rosell was Vice President)? Didn't they have seen Stadiums in Europe? Allianz, Dragao, Alvalade XXI, Galatasaray, etc. All of them, with structures very similar to the Camp Nou. Both inside and outside. Why is it so important ? Who's going put the name? One thing is clear: if a stadium can cost 1000M€  and it's free for the members ("socis"), there is something else.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when they say that nothing happens with Messi. In summer there were 2% of people who were dissatisfied with the Argentine star. Now, it's a rare day that there is something that praises Neymar (which is fine,  do not confuse things), but at the expense of Messi. That if the "megaoffer" of Adidas, that if Juanjo Brau, if this, if that.  They have to explain what is, if anything, and if there is nothing, they have also to say , because he is a player of the Club. And the best in the world.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, when we say that these are the timetable for the matches and nothing else can be done. What if the Chinese, Japanese or American market. They deserve all the respect in the world. The ones that go to the stadium are much closer and also deserve respect. Rain, cold or heat, rain or snow trips, morning or late at night. And we are the ones that went to Basel, Seville, Wembley, etc. by bus, car, plane, losing hours of study and work. Or to Geneva or Paris to attend the basketball "Final -Four". To return with the tail between the legs, but thinking to be back next year.

They are lying and, also, they take us for idiots, because the owners of the Club are we, the partners ("socis"). Those on the Board is because they have been chosen for that. They haven't bought anything . And as much they think and they believe it, they can't buy are "shares". We have no shares. Barçaa is not a Corporation. As much as we are anonymous and we aren't  in newspapers or television.

Stop lying. And stop thinking we're idiots.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

ORTHODOXY

The original of this entry can be found in the following link:

http://www.martiperarnau.com/tactica/la-ortodoxia/

Thanks to @martiperarnau

ORTHODOXY
A few days ago, following an article by Martí Ayats (@martíayats) on "Control", he, Martí Perarnau (@martíperarnau), and myself, we had a little debate on twitter about the subject of orthodoxy in football and, if IT was well regarded . Martí Perarnau asked me if I was able  to write an article and, here.
Today it seems that, to write about whatever topic, you have to look for difficult words or award different namesto things that already have one. If you don't do so, it seems that your are "old" and that your ideas are outdated.
Many of us have been using, in Coaching Course, the books by Mariano Moreno when he was the Director of the Coaches School of the RFEF. You can liket it more or less, but the truth is that the books include a definition of Principles of Football (Offensive and Defensive) and, a Terminology, which is lacking in many countries. In England and in the United States, there are many differences between what some consider principles and for others not. This, as is often said, is neither good nor bad. This is true. From there, sure you can open a debate about if what you have there improved or renamed, and sure it can be.
Guardiola's Barça received compliments and congratulations from around the world of football by playing so showy, which obviously accompanied the results. If not, hardly, they have reached such a high degree of unanimity. Beyond the "positional play" , the "false 9", the "lavolpiana" building-up and a whole lot more, for me, in the strict sense as Coach, what characterized this team was the application stricter of the Principles of Football that we talked about before.
We saw the "delay" of Xavi , saw "uncheck" (breaking, with Villa getting behind the defense to receive a pass from Iniesta, and support, with Messi "falling" to join Xavi and Iniesta to have a 3v2) , we saw "support" with Busquets dropping between the Center Backs for playing form the back with the ball, but also what we were saying about Messi. We saw "ball conservation" (Of course!). We saw "changes of direction " (from right to left and vice versa) and "spaces" and "walls" ( hundreds of them) (N.A: wall is 1-2 combo).
And this, in attack. In defense, we saw the "pressing " (And what a pressing!), the "cover" and "swittching" between Alves and Pedro or, between Pique and Puyol, we saw the "anticipation" and, together with it, the "interception" (How many balls per game stolen?) . The "delay" (also defensive). We saw "charges" and "tackles" (Mascherano, Keita and Yaya Toure scraping balls is a "classic") .
We saw all that in that team. And much more. All this I just put are Principles of Football. Those which are explained in the textbooks of Coaching Courses in Spain .
I keep putting some stuff, literally, of these books :
- Switching between retention and accelerated ball game. The hability to change the pace is an important factor for the effectiveness of a team.- Although the game of attack must always be oriented in depth, in no way excludes lateral and backward passes, to open gaps within the opposing defense .- Pressure and speed is one of the essential principles of an effective attack .
I could spend hours putting more things from these books. I don't think it's needed. In the same way, I don't  think anyone should hide to follow, and use, these principles. You can be great or creative doing things in a "regulated" way. Does the winger comes in and the full-back overlaps him? Well, okay. Does the full-back go inside and the winger outside? Also worth. 1 central midfielder. A double pivot. A "big" center forward. A "false 9" . Three "Shorties" in midfield. A Center Back with 1.75m. Classic wingers. Wingers with "switched side". Anything goes, as long as we apply the concepts, except to have the team split in two, while we know what to do with and without the ball .
All this (which Pep did at Barca) is pure orthodoxy. It's what the books say. No more. No less. That is already a lot.
Let no one be afraid to be orthodox, to follow the canons. Cruyff said the hardest thing was to make things easy. And I think that he was quite right. Invent what we want, that creativity is always good, of course, but do not confuse the terms (N.A. literal translation is "to mix bacon with speed") or orthodoxy with immobility, which are different things.
I just hope that if one day Guardiola read these lines, he forgives me for calling him orthodox. The geniuses, geniuses are.
Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

THE DEBATE

It was enough that Piqué said that Barça, basically at Guardiola’s era, was "slave of tiki-taka" to ignited the debate about the club's playing style. Pautasso (Gerardo Martino's assistant), said in the previous of Rayo-Barça on Saturday that sometimes you didn’t have to be so offensive, that if Barça was leading 2-0 against Sevilla, you could be more or less close at the back and go to the counter. What's more, Barça, after a lot of official matches, had less possession than his rival, precisely against Rayo.

First consideration: has anyone explained to Mr. Pautasso in which Club is he? What do the members and fans of the club want? Has anyone said him that here is not enough to win, much less at the Camp Nou ?

Second consideration: precisely those media that have been more considerate "Barça" (ie, very close to the current Board), are the ones that have given more reason to Piqué, that it is enough of such possession and passing game, that you need to play in another way. Interestingly, those media that charged more against Pep Guardiola at that time. Coincidence? I do not think so. And the nonsense I'm reading lately on the newspapers is confirming that many talks for not being silent and that many write because they have to fill pages, no matter what they say.

Third consideration: the "tiki -taka" was born with Maguregui, as I have said more than once and he referred, ridiculing, this game touching and passing. The current problem is that many of those who criticize this kind of game do not even know what it is and, above all, how it is worked (trained). It is not to touch for the sake of touching, or to pass for the sake of passing. The first thing to consider is what Cruyff said: If I have the ball and you do not have it, and you have two problems to score a goal. The first one is to have the ball The second thing to consider is what Guardiola said : Do not touch (pass), if you are not pressed . That is, FIRST running with the ball than passing.

Fourth consideration: the basic for the possession game is the position, but not the position of the players. It is the team's position. It is that the team keeps the shape wherever you have the ball and whoever the player who has it, and it is what Guardiola said also, that I have said many times: The ball give us order. Depending on where it is, the players have to be. Whatever you do, whether playing with "false 9”, either the cross comes from the full-back or the winger, either you have one or two players arriving from second line, etc. everything depends on the positioning of the players. Whether players are poorly positioned, the attack is bad and causes the turnover many more options for the opponents. Maybe people should start looking at this, before we talk about changing the style.

Fifth consideration: Any Club must have a structure where everyone plays the same idea. The same game is impossible, since players are not the same and, therefore, every team will have variants depending on the type of players. There are not two equal right full-backs, or not two equal central midfielders, and there are no two Messi. It's that simple.

Sixth consideration: With everything I've said before, it can be a debate about the style, obviously. Now, this debate has to be clearly about football ideas, and not poisoned with "politic ideas" on the issue (the newspapers are full on this and other: just remember that cover about Valdes saying "leaves us on the floor" or Racionero’s writings about Valdés or, what Vehils said on Iniesta about selling the “cracks" or, everything that has been said about this "change of style" ), and that is a debate that affects the way FC Barcelona plays. All teams, not the first team. Why to make the left back of U -14 or U -16 to play in one way if, when they arrive to the first team they play in a different way? Does anyone see any sense on this ?

Final consideration: Barça has got the respect and admiration of football’s world because how they won in previous years. About this, no debate.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP