Tiki-taka with a twist
This is not tiki-taka any more, but nor is it not tiki-taka either. Luis Enrique has applied a twist to the identity that made Spain world and European champions rather than seeking to change it entirely. The
still usually line up in a 4-3-3 formation, and may even do so with a false No.9, while the commitment to having the ball and pressing higher up the pitch remains.
And yet there has been an attempt to break from the predictable, academic approach that saw Spain knocked out of World Cup 2018 having completed 1,000 passes, and that fell early in Brazil and France prior to that. Indeed, that was part of the reason he was employed initially, driven by the idea that the way he had rethought Barcelona’s identity could be applied to the national team too. He has sought to mix possession with pace, occasional directness and greater intent, more determination to go for the throat.
Luis Enrique has been keen to bring younger players into the side too. Expect something familiar, but expect one of the midfielders to break from the mould and break for the box, while at least one of the two wide men to be encouraged to run straight at defences.