‘To entertain the game or to win…’ In 1982, when Socrates’ team, who flew to Spain with the dream of winning the title, failed to reach the semi-finals, this was the question raised by the fans a thousand times. The style of Pele, Garincha and Carlos, who attacked with short passes and coordinated moves, was criticized by the failure of Sanrana’s team. Although he returned without a trophy, Sanrana had fans in Europe. With players and coaches from Johan Cruyff to Pep Guardiola copying it, there was a clamor for a change in style of play in Brazil.
A section assessed that defeat as a failure of their attacking philosophy. Lusinho, the defensive player of that team, says that the backlash, described by the Brazilian media as the ‘Tragedy in Zaria’, has made a significant change in the game plan of the coaches that came after. ‘Later coaches followed a defensive and counter-attacking style’ – Lucinho’s words are a picture of the Canaries’ changing style of play in the following decade.
Criticisms that arose after defeats in a friendly match against Belgium (5-1) in 1963 and against the Netherlands (2-0) in the 1974 World Cup intensified with Spain’s exit from the World Cup. Efforts by club coaches in Brazilian leagues for more passes, skill performances that take the opponent’s side, defense and counter-attack without wasting time. The setback in the 1982 World Cup was the beginning of a slow break away from the triangular formation in the midfield to fast moves. ‘Jogo Bonito’, abandoned by Brazil halfway through, was later copied to Spain and various European teams as ‘Tiki Taka’.