The public approval rating of Spain's national football team has run an entirely predictable course since 2008—the year they began their tiki-taka takeover of the world. At UEFA Euro 2008, the ...

Johan Cruyff was the father of tiki-taka football. He was also Barcelona's most successful coach ever, with 11 trophies, until his pupil Josep Guardiola surpassed that. Cruyff was the father of the ...

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Morocco players fell back on defense and patiently watched as Spain kept passing the ball around midfield during their round of 16 match at the World Cup. Side to side, from one ...

The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox. Hello! No more time for talking. The Copa America’s here — and ...

The mastering of the midfield has been a fascination for managers past and present, the centre-piece of a successful side and the area where domination is so often translated into tangible results.

MADRID (AP) — Desperately trying to break through the Granada defense, Barcelona sent more than 50 crosses into the area in its search for a goal. There was none of Barcelona’s famous “tiki taka” — ...

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Morocco players fell back on defense and patiently watched as Spain kept passing the ball around midfield during their round of 16 match at the World Cup. Side to side, from one ...