BBZ's post quality has deteriorated massively, evidently the four teams he rooted for going out immediately did a number on him
Historical patterns/mentality of cultures and countries surely exist.
The only thing where I am too strict is that I am talking in absolute terms as in: Germans are always strong and xx are always bad.
The better and more accurate formula would probably be:
50% is based on history/personality traits of countries and cultures/patterns in results vs certain opponents
50% should be based on current crop of players and a coach
So, for example, instead of saying Germans are always mentally strong, the better way would be: Germans are USUALLY mentally very strong, but some of their generations are average.
Or: in 7 out of 10 tournaments Germans will be mentally strong.
And: in 7 out of 10 tournaments Spain will be too soft.
And instead of saying: Spain are too nice guys, the better would be = Spanish are usually too soft, but from time to time, with the right players and a coach, they can reach greatness.
But still, even then, patterns are there and you either see them or not.
About patterns, inteliggence and OCD (lol), you can also analyze my behavior through this article:
The human brain is actually the world’s most complex pattern recognition system. Previous research finds that those who are skillful in noticing patterns tend to earn more money, perform better at their jobs, and take better care of their health. In addition, advanced pattern detection may make one savvier in spotting opportunities and less likely to identify with authoritarian ideology.
“Pattern-matching” helps us to discern the feelings of others, make plans, learn a new language, and much more. The problem is, everything has a downside. Those who have excellent pattern recognition tend to use it to evaluate other humans, making this type prone to stereotyping.
Lick, Freedman, and Alter say that specific advanced cognitive abilities may have a tendency to come with certain shortcomings. Besides this bias toward stereotyping, pattern-matching types are also more prone to OCD-like symptoms and behavior. Fortunately, the study also shows that this type may be the most amenable to bias.
Even if my theories are correct, lots of my behavior and reasoning will be turned towards stereotypes and some of my behavior might be OCD-like, isn't it?
But again, patterns are there. Some just see them, some don't.
I might be too extreme as explained above (not taking the current generation into maths too much) though.
It just so happens that Peps style of football lead to the most successful era for both Barca and Spain in their entire history.
Serious question, did you get any enjoyment out of Peps time as coach of Barca?
I started to watch Barca during a guy from your pic (Romario and Stoichkov).
I liked Barca's possession and attacking game, but I like dribbles, courage, some directness.
I liked a lot Van Gaal's first Barca with Dutch players, lots of crosses, directness by Figo and Rivaldo, long range drives.
That style also had possession and attacking, but in a different way.
My favorite Barca was Rijkaard's Barca, which again had Barca's DNA traits but with more physique, more long balls, crosses, dribbles, long range attempts, less dwelling on a ball and playing safe possession.
Then Pep came and imo, turned some things perfection (possession) but ruined some other things like physicality, crossess, long balls, long range drives, corners.
Players started to risk less under Pep: there was less dribbles around the box (except if you are Messi), less long range drives, less illogical dribbles through 3 players which can act as a surprise sometimes.
I would rate his style as perfectly logical, very safe and somewhat robotical.
His teams are repeating the same things for 90 times until they finally find a hole in defense.
So, even when Pep was here, I had less enjoyement from his football than from Cruijff or Rijkaard.
But the worse thing, is creating Pep's cult since 2012 where everything about him is overrated and overhyped and our life where we are supposed to chase Pep's shadows for who knows how long after 2012.
About Spain from 2008-2012, I hated Del Bosque's 460 formation with 6 David Silvas.
So, I am not a huge fan of Pep, and then it seems that it's ways are not working anymore.
But as you see in your post, for 90% of people the reply will always be: but it was the best era ever and thus we probably won't ever move away from it.
And then, if the theories how his style is not good enough for KO tournaments anymore are true, what is our future?
In short: this is why I cheer against Spain and Pep, in order for them to lose again and again since imo that is the only way for Barca to move to some new, different version of Barca or Pep's football.
I mean, currently we have Busi, Pedri, Puig, and we have just bought Aguero, Eric, Depay, so we aren't moving anywhere, we are still on the same place as 10 years ago (but with way worse players).
So, sorry if my posts sounds weird, but the way how I see it: the only way for Barca's evolvment is = Pep and Spain losing in upcoming years.
If they win, we will stay in the same limbo for the next 10-20 years.
He never got recognition in germany like in spain, most people insult him as side-pass-Toni.