Javi Martinez: The difference maker?

Having returned from a tiring game of football, I decided to take a nap to be fresh for some late night Champions League football. My alarm was set for 10:45 pm Dubai Standard Time. My alarm rang, but only for me to wake up glaring at the sunlight coming from my window. I pinched myself, but could do nothing to escape the reality: I had missed one of the most anticipated match in the history of the Champions League – Bayern Munich vs Barcelona. I didn’t make a quick dash for the newspaper in eagerness to see what embroiled at the Allianz Arena. Instead,  I phoned my cable operator to find out when the repeat telecast of the match would be aired.

With Pringles and Sprite at my service, I sat on my couch, waiting for kick-off, only 13 hours after the actual kick-off. At the end of 90 minutes,I couldn’t believe what the scoreline read. Not that I wasn’t expecting Bayern to win, but the extent of their win made me want to rephrase the term ‘domination’. Barcelona, as usual, dominated possession. But even with the mere 37% possession, Bayern amassed a humongous 14 shots on goal. Barcelona fans can complain about Robben’s goal or even Gomez’s goal; but if you are a true football fanatic, you’re going to have to admit that Bayern were the better team on the night.

For years, the ‘tiki-taka’ sorcery was applauded by the pundits and tacticians. But last night might have just provided the world with a  cure to this hitherto unstoppable force. Apart from Robben’s trickery and Muller’s determination, another man stood out from his counterparts – Javi Martinez.

While FC Barcelona decided to sign Alex Song as a possible competitor for Sergio Busquets‘s holding midfield position, Bayern Munich managed to sign Jave Martinez, who was referred to as the poor man’s Alex Song. His arrival at Bavaria was seen by many as unnecessary, especially given his hefty prize tag of  €40 million. In his time at Athletic Bilbao, he was at the receiving end of heavy defeats courtesy FC Barcelona, and this was his sweet salvation. Jupp Heynecks struck a tactical masterclass with Javi Martinez indulging in what’s believed to be called ‘fake pressing’.

Barcelona played with their usual formation of a 4-3-3, and with Lionel Messi passed fit for the encounter, Dante and his defense finally had worthy opponents by whom they could finally be tested. Bayern Munich opted to go for Mario Gomez in place of Pizzaro. Playing with a defensive formation of a 4-2-3-1, it was all but certain that possession of the ball would be a rarity on the night.

The opening few minutes saw passes being exchanged by Gerard Pique and Marc Bartra, who had all their forward passes blocked by a system of man-marking which Jupp has used this season. Gomez was chosen ahead of in-form Claudio Pizzaro, and the main motive behind this move was to man-mark Barcelona’s holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, providing Muller with the chance to free his legs and seize the attacking initiative when provided with the opportunity.

And that’s where the protagonist of the tie, Javi Martinez, came into the fray. His role was primarily to hinder the passing and quick movement of two of the best in the world, Xavi and Iniesta. With a very confident back four behind him, and with the nullification of Sergio Busquets, Javi Martinez revelled in his role.

He charged forward, snapped heals and drew fouls from the agitated Barcelona midfield. Tireless running, nosy interceptions and closing down the minute gaps so as to block new avenues for passes from Xavi and Iniesta all contributed significantly to the victory. He executed the ‘fake pressing’ to near perfection. To those of who wondering what it is, it’s basically pressing, only without actually making any physical contact. Hence, your opponent is given less time and space on the ball, and doesn’t get time to think and pass the ball, which results in loose passes and lapse in concentration.

Bayern’s strategy was all about striking a balance – they found a happy medium between patience and directness, between physicality and technique and between playing their own game and reacting to exploit Barcelona’s weakness. Javi Martinez tracked back Iniesta and Xavi’s runs, and this resulted in Busquets panicking whenever he had to distribute the ball.

In fact, Martinez played a broader role. He hustled and harried with anyone with the ball in midfield, imposing his physicality in the game. He repeatedly dispossessed their midfielders and stormed forward with the ball, which was quite unexpected given his positioning in the Bayern midfield – all demonstrating precisely why the Catalans were after him. While the Barcelona midfield has earned plaudits this season, Javi Martinez’s all-round performance may be beyond those of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.

Disrupting Barcelona’s fluent play is considered as the key to beat them, and Javi did just that with regular soft fouls that wouldn’t earn him a yellow card. He gave away 5 free-kicks before finally getting a yellow card, after which he had to change his tactical plan to ensure that he drew fouls from his counterparts.

Even during his spell at Athletic Bilbao, he was the sheet-anchor of their youthful and exciting midfield. Having the chance to play under Marcelo Bielsa is a privilege for every footballer and Javi Martinez benefited greatly from it. Looking at the impact he’s had on Bayern’s games this season changes the way we look at his price tag – from over-priced to a bargain.

He provided that extra man during set pieces and his height was sure to intimidate the frail Barcelona defenders, who were clearly missing Puyol and Abidal’s aerial prowess. Bayern had just one thing on their mind – try and win as many corners as possible, which they did. This didn’t seem to be another ‘dirty’ performance by Bayern Munich’s midfield, as the term was prominent before Mark van Bommel ceased to be Schweinsteiger’s midfield partner.

As the second half went on, Javi and Bastian were beginning to tire, but their job was already done; and having the required strength in depth, Jupp introduced Luis Gustavo to provide renewed energy and continue with the ‘fake pressing’.

Bayern, on the night, were clinical and tactically sound. With such a performance, you only begin to wonder as to what might happen with Pep Guardiola at the hot seat. With that being said, is the baton of power being passed from Barcelona to Munich? Only time will tell.