This Euro 2024 as presented a number of teams with a clear Playing Philosophy – Possession Football. These teams are: Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Croatia, England, Belgium or France (at times). Italy and France also presented (Italy mainly at their first match) an attacking Philosophy based on the ball possession, but perhaps less marked or efficient. For example, against Spain or Croatia, Italy was OK with the fact of not having so much possession, just as France varies their approach depending on who is playing at that time.

My thoughts on the theme comes also following a Season where the same feelings arises when watching majority of big-teams. Here I found that there’s a need for a greater alignment between the culture of the Club/National Team and the Philosophy adopted to face the Game.

Therefore, my first question is: does the Culture has impact on the Playing Philosophy?

‘If you don’t play counter-attack then it’s because you are stupid’

José Mourinho

Culture becomes very important in National Teams, specially in these Tournaments, where there’s a reunion of players coming from different Clubs, countries, tactical approaches and philosophies. Therefore, probably even greater than Clubs, National Teams need to assimilate their own Philosophy in a record-time. And if this is not already rooted within the squad, the chances of disruptions arise at the first challenge. 

I believe this is what we have been seeing at this Euro. Spain seems to be the most prepared team for this kind of Playing Philosophy, even when most wouldn’t prioritize them to be crown Champions. Germany, just as Portugal or England, create an environment within the team where the ball possession is the most important thing when attacking, with different movements and levels of aggressiveness on passing options, progressive passing and 1v1 situations, but all seem more fragile in the moment of losing the ball – Defensive Transition.

Here, as we have seen with teams that are capable to create dangerous counter-attacks, Germany and England faced great challenges in the most recent matches, just as Portugal exposes significantly their retention players (ie. Palhinha, Rúben Dias and Pepe).

Consequently, what should Coaches do in this case? Approach the most convenient Style/Philosophy or create a different one? More significantly, how can they train a team to approach the different matches if training Sessions are so reduced and at these competitions are significantly made of recovery ? 

The great José Mourinho once said “If you don’t play counter-attack then it’s because you are stupid” and there’s definitely room to understand this statement.

Let’s see what happens next, after this trial-stage.

Qualifiers are now gone.

Group-stages are close to be gone.

Knockout-games are around the corner and the big-teams need to show the level of preparation for all Moments of the Game.

Possession Football Vs Counter-Attack: who wins?

Let’s sit down and enjoy the show!