Since the rules have changed to really penalize defending, like if you look at the tackles from 2006 (
I'm thinking of this tackle from Stam on Nedved) do you think this has
allowed for the Spanish-style of play to flourish?
I think refs have allowed more tackles and more contact this World Cup (except when it suits them) then they have in previous tournaments, but still, we're a far cry from defenders having the leeway that even existed in the mid-2000's.
Has that allowed for Spain's style to become as dominant as it is? Before the 2000's, Spain had never really won anything, and it's not like this intricate passing style emerged out of nowhere.
The other question is: has Italy's downturn been
in-part to their ultimate calling-card, their specialty, being removed from the game? I am
not saying that this is the "silver bullet" answer, they simply do
not produce attacking talent anymore, but do you think that these two forces (the changing of rules for defense which enables more intricate play) can be at least
partial explanatory factors for the trajectory of Italy and Spain?
When it comes to the failure of Italy's attacking production line, could it be that wingers were never really Italy's calling-card, offensively? They made strikers and 10's, but they didn't really produce wingers--or am I off here?
I dunno, I'm just thinking out loud, and wondering if my theories have any merit or maybe what elements I'm not seeing.