Cruyff's Children.. Netherlands or Spain?

Cruyff spent most of his career as a player in Ajax and Barcelona.. In Ajax he learned not only to play football but also the “Total Football” emphasized by Rinus Michels. He won 3 European Champion Clubs Cups there.

He moved, then, to Barcelona, following Michels. He influenced the city by his romantic way of playing when he was influenced by the soul of this city.

Being coach, he carried Ajax to another European Cup before moving to Barcelona to create the “Dream Team”. He also won Champions League, and 4 consecutive times La Liga. His students in Ajax and Barcelona (Rijkaard, Guardiola, Van basten etc.) carried the flag of beautiful football.

Both in Netherlands and Spain people adored him as he gave inspiration to many. He was chosen Player of the Year for both countries.

He was also chosen the 6th Greatest Dutchman, highest of all people in sports.

So which team reflects him well…

Players…

Spain… One of Cruyff’s impress was on the youth systems to discover and improve young players. Along the players he touched in the past, Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Pedro, Puyol, Fabregas, Busquets etc. are the product of the system he has built.

Netherlands… Even after the Champions League victory in 1995, Cruyff criticised Ajax management for not applying an effective youth system as before. He was right. After that year, Ajax system could not grow new talents as in 80s and 90s. Sneijder is the only talent grew out of Ajax in new millennium and Ajax has no successes since 15 years.

Idol…

Spain… The Barca players see Cruyff as a father, as their coach Guardiola does. He is the philosophy maker of their club.

Netherlands.. Almost all Dutch players respect Cruyff, since the Dutch football became influential with him. Just before the start of WC they have attended an opening of Cruyff Court, a football park in South Africa’s poor regions, with him and they  played football with young people there.

System…

Spain… They play the Cruyff way. They put pressure on the front. They pass the ball quickly and effectively not to hold the rhythm back. They hold the possession. They do not need major changes, only small tactical corrections.

Netherlands… They also want the possession. But they depend on two talents: Sneijder and Robben. And don’t forget Van Persie, a real team player. But Kuyt is a hard worker without talent and Van Bommel is so close to red card as he always commit fouls in dangerous areas with wrong timing.  And they are slower than 2008 to be sure of possession and this has worked since 2 years.

Philosophy

Spain… They never cease to play this system even if they lose. They know nothing out of this model. 

Netherlands… And they want the result. Robben and some others stated that they prefer ugly wins instead of beautiful losts. This approach is criticised by some of their citizens. On the other hand, the truth is that, Oranges would nearly lose to Uruguay when they played for score and they have beaten the favorites, Brasil, when they played like there is no tomorrow.

The last words are said by Cruyff himself: “Who am I supporting? I am Dutch but I support the football that Spain is playing”.

Of course, he will be happy by any score, but no need to hide that he will be proud of the generation he opened the way, if Spain wins it.