Liverpool ace midfielder Thiago Alcantara revealed that he hates the way modern football is headed and also talked about his opposition to VAR in an interesting interview with Guardian’s Sid Lowe.
It causes long delays, and often both officials and players are left confused on which VAR should review decision. Spain international Thiago, who is currently busy with La Roja at Euro 2020, said that VAR removes the essence from football. Players make mistakes during a game, and it’s only natural when referees make mistakes too.
“I have that ‘hate modern football’ mentality; I’m more classic in attitude. And then there’s VAR, which I’ve always opposed. It removes the essence, the picaresque. We make mistakes when we play, referees have to make mistakes too. Lots of mythical moments wouldn’t exist [with VAR]. And when you score, even a brilliant goal from the halfway line, you’re waiting. Thinking: ‘I hope there isn’t a foul in the build-up, I hope there’s no offside, I hope’,”
said Thiago.
Thiago was the lynchpin in midfield for the Bavarian club under Josep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Hansi Flick. He played a major role in leading Bayern to the Champions League title last season before securing a move to English giants.
Thiago thinks that football is losing its ‘magical touch’ and ‘fantasy’ with every passing year, and the game is becoming more mechanical. His words are in line with the recent tactical developments in the sport, with the number 10 role having gone to extinction and faster and mechanical players thriving under specific systems. There’s barely room for flair anymore.
he said.
“It’s taken up a different pace, rhythm: more accelerated, more physical. The figure of the No. 10 has almost disappeared. We see less magic, less fantasy. Footballers do more but faster. There’s no need to dribble because you run. Players are more developed in every sense. You lose that player who’s different, who ‘breathes’; the playmaker who was slower even if he had sublime technique doesn’t get the opportunity to turn. Those of us who are not so fast with our legs have to be faster in our heads. It’s like anything in life: adaptation. Things keep moving. Football changes constantly, expressed differently.”
Spain drew their first two matches at Euro 2020, and they are third in Group E. Luis Enrique-led team need a better result in their last group stage fixture against Slovakia to ensure a slot in the next round.
