Football is Becoming Boring. 

I miss the days when flair players like Mustafi made football entertaining

Players no longer shot from outside of the box. Every team is playing the same, either spamming endless crosses from wingbacks or trying to walk into the goal with ball. Its almost like players aren't allowed to shot at the goal anymore.

The pace of the game has slowed so much and i rarely see one-touch football anymore.

Liverpool feels like the only top 4 Club that actually just doesn't pass the ball around with that slow build up nonsense when we have Trent who needs slow build-up when you can just yam the ball 40 yards and it's gonna be a goal

real madrid started to play relationism this year that's why im enjoying watching them

For me it’s not boring it’s just become too robotic, like the players are like robots and they play like robots. I haven’t seen any genuine creativity this season very much, it feels like the game has become too cautious

I don’t think Football is getting boring, is European football that is getting boring, a random match of Copa Libertadores brought me more entertainment than the Lazio-Bayern match from the Champions League

It’s crazy how Pep managed the most entertaining side to watch (Prime Barcelona) and has also managed one of the most boring sides to watch (Man City)

THANK YOUUUU, I’m not going crazy then. Feels like I’m watching robots now. No original play styles and flairs. Players being too restricted to a certain pattern or else risk being dropped.

Analytics in sports tends to make it less enjoyable to watch. NBA 3 pt, drive and dish, etc. . . In football analytics frown upon long shots. We’ve got less and less over the yrs, and now barely any. Barca in 2010’s was great football, but after a while it was boring entertainment. Same is true of Man City now. Tough to watch unless you are a fan of them or unless they are loosing. Arsenal will always be “class on grass.”

I agree so much. Its actually most of the times PAINFULL to watch teams these days. Im considering quitting watching football because of it and i have always been a big football fan. No risk taking, time wasting, only about winning. Its not great to watch.

Football has basically become the real life version of that nike world cup 2014 ad Except theres no game between the players and clones....its just clones vs wannabe clones

Heres the thing. Whatever your intrested in take time off that ...enjoy your life and move on to soemthing else then come back to it when u feel like it

This is the only reason i also started watching women's football... At least a breath of fresh air there... Even Spanish women's team don't pass at each other that much like men

I disagree in my opinion, it is extremely rare for football to be boring if you understands the inate beauty of the game. I think there are always new and entertaining forms of football being played you just need to know where to look and what to look for

Bro, I have not seen the video yet, but YES, football is becoming BORING and also toxic. Been thinking about that for a few days now.

Football has indeed become boring, the major factor is the fact we don’t have real skillets, or players who are skilled and play with flair, the Neymar’s, even Messi in his prime was super entertaining to watch since his faints made defenders look like fools. We don’t have that, obviously we get it on occasion, but players are scouted based off their metrics, football is about winning ofc, and the most straight forward way to win is by playing boring with the best players. The best xG, the best dribblers etc. there’s no giving the ball to a player who can make some magic. Those guys are retiring, and the ones trying to imitate them are really bad copies. Idk what happened, hopefully I’m not become like those old basketball heads where I say my era which is the best, which honestly they are the best (2010’s) But there’s no joy, there’s some fun teams actually, but theres almost no fun players. The worlds best players in the best form, are just route one players. They score a lot of low to the ground tap in goals, which isn’t bad, but it’s boring.

7:45 described Darwin perfectly people hate him because they look at his XG and his stats and as a striker he's not scoring as many goals as he showed but if you look at as he really should be doing but if you look at the way he plays he opens so much space for a jota or a salah or a Diaz to run in and grab a goal

I became a massive football fan watching arsenal, even finishing 6th consecutively you'd always find joy looking at Arron Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez, Iwobi!

No lies told this is why I am so thankful for players like Vini Rodrygo even Arda Guler as few as minutes as he plays for giving us some creativity and entertainnment to watch otherwise I still watch edits from the nineties and 00s because back then footballers were way more technical and were allowed to use more skills

huh i dont find football boring and never will because for me I can never get tired of football.

Facts players aren’t encouraged to be special anymore. We will never see another Neymar, Ronaldinho, Zidane or even Messi/ Young CR7

It’s not peps fault, this new football is played like robots because no team wants to concede and at the same time you have better, faster and more physical players than before. Good players nowadays are ok with going to a worse team to get minutes and that wasn’t there before

What I find boring is teams like Sheffield United, Burnley, Notts Forest, etc all park the bus for a 0-0 draw which makes the game really dull.

I wanna see Pep actually win something without a super team

Ur best video yet ...great analysis and definitely echo's my thoughts ..there's no room for instinct or creativity now

Imo i just like the possesion based style of pep its kinda somehow satisfying to watch for me :/

i honestly ramble about this too much for my own good but it is becoming boring, and we all know thanks to who. Dickhead Guardiola showed the world that you can play low risk - "medium" reward playstyles ( but VERY high reward if you have money to buy the best players) if you minimize the amount of tasks a player has to tackle. Why bother having someone expose the defense and having another player cover that space while his mate is doing runs all the time if they can keep it tight in the back and pass the ball ? every team will eventually want less and less individuality and more devotion to the system. it isn't to say his style is unbeatable, is just the PERFECT style for modern football because of the pace of the game, managers can't afford to let players RISK more by trying to generate more individual impact. Reduce the natural chaos football can generate (and in that chaos lies the beauty of it) and you won't be the victim of circumstances. To make matters worse, FIFA and UEFA seem to like it that way, they enforce stuff like that with more subs. Rich clubs have deeper benches, they can essentially mitigate the effect fatigue has on their systems by subbing in MORE players than they would in the past, thus reducing the chances of a player choice impacting the game negatively. This mentality allows the "team first" players to flourish more, and you can see he scouts these like a madman, and has the means to buy anyone that fits that criteria, but other teams not so much, so you have players who DON'T have a lot of individual resources playing low risk playstyles, essentially making the game much less unpredictable and mostly boring.

Even with a whopping 6% less of shots coming from outside the box, the goals coming from that area are the same, it’s less hey don’t shoot it long and more defensive adaptation coupled with good ol “hey, don’t shoot a random belter over the net and ruin all this progression we made, but if you get a good look you’re confident about, let it fly”.

It's been a while since I'm imagining the future of football relying on the capacity of every player to do every function. It will be not very different of what happened in the 70's, when speed and physics were found as weapons to change the game. If all players can execute all functions, then a team can move in such a way that will be extremely difficult to defend. It's like when a fullback carry the ball into midfield: since the fullback doesn't have a specific marker, it will come a moment when the opposite team will have one of their players displaced to tackle this bold full back, otherwise he will end up inside their goal, and that's a first crack on the opposite team defensive system. Teams will still have their formations on attacking and defensive phases, but any of the players will be minimal fit to develop the role expected from where they are on the pitch. Fore sure Fernando Diniz tactics are the dawn of this.

In what world are Man City boring, I’ll never understand it, yes we are very structured as a team but we also pass and move, create overloads, all the things you say have sort of become less frequent, I believe attackers play with way more intent now, it’s just teams also defend with way more intent too, players run more which forces them to cancel each other out more, cos they’re actually trying now, go back and watch how lazy the defending was in the prem just 10 years ago Peps style has changed rules within the league it’s that significant, the league is a massive franchise and peps style was seen as a huge boost to the entertainment value of the league full stop, greatest and most revolutionary manager of all time

The perfect thumbnail Oil City play the most boring foootball there is 💀🙏

blud doesn't watch real madrid

I agree. I no longer get excited or feel the need to keep up with every game. 10 years football/soccer was worth keeping up with.

Personally dont feel that football is boring as such, its just getting robotic, and there are no great players like kaka, ronaldinho anymore

I honestly do like football I find it very boring yeah sure football might have its moment but after a while it gets boring

Didn’t Nike make an ad about this a few years ago 😅 we need to risk everything

Pep is a control freak. He hates randomness in football, he tires the opposition into running around chasing the ball untill a certain player who's already chosen is free and thus a goal happens. Pepball pre meditates that, and in turn it's boring.

Has been boring for years now the quality of the players has significantly decreased over the years most likely due to how overpaid they are. Bang average ballers are on 100k+ a week it’s ridiculous.

great video, I've been telling my friends mainstream football is on the decline. hopefully relationism becomes more popular in football!

Sometimes it's hard to imagine being a Footballer as a livelihood. We all go through anhedonia which means lack of enthusiasm in those things which once made us feel happy. This happens to professional players as well. Once upon a time we used to be so excited about the matches, we used to pre plan our weekend schedule considering the match. But now we don't feel much pleasurable about it. Anhedonia is the main cause. We can't force enthusiasm, it has to be self-generated.

I don't see it. Watching football is entertaining because of the emotions you attach to your favorite club. That never goes away no matter how tactics change.

Bro when someone’s team loses once they blame it on football and think it’s boring 😂

What about Simone Inzaghi' style from Inter Milan team?

IMO. You have 5 subs. Use them all at half time. Play something crazy like 4-2-4. Majority of teams play possession out of the back. Stabilize a tactic for the front 4 on CONSTANTLY pressing the oppositions defenders as a unit to where they have to play a long ball. Exhaust the front 4, and sub them out at half for 4 fresh legs. Long ball gets played in a panic and either you win the 50-50 air ball, or it goes straight back in your possession because it’s a poorly placed ball due to being rushed to play it. If they’re able to break the half-line the 4 attackers stay high, while the 2 in the mid play deep as coverage centrally. Ball gets forced wide for a cross because the middle is crowded. Win the ball and get it to one of your 2 CDMs who can play direct to one of the four attackers for an overwhelming instant counter attack. If the counter isn’t there you have 4 players already stationed in the opponents half to hold the ball up and wait for support. Far too many teams sit back and never press to actually test the back line under pressure which leads to these games of boredom.

This is exactly the video I was looking for. Football overall can't get boring per say, but the entertainment faster is certainly lower today. For example the last 4 finals of the champions league have all ended 1-0, and most of those games weren't even entertaining

I have to admit, i still haven’t seen the full video, but i believe the issue only lies in english football. I’m personally an Inter Milan fan and in the italian league we are dominating, playing football spectacularly and turning every match into a show. And it’s not only us, but all of the teams in Italy are playing a lot more aggressively whilst still maintaining the defensive solidity that was characteristic of the italian leagues. I’d recommend watching non premier league matches!

I think people need to stop looking at the past with rose tinted glasses. This is a new era of football with new players and many new fans and it is still growing so it definitely is interesting and fun.

I don’t think it’s Pep’s fault that he’s so good to the extent that everyone wants to copy him. Blame everyone else for not being able to counter City and come up with new tactics

I also started watching different leagues because of this. Winger-ball was such a joy to watch, it felt like consuming a substance. It's so depressing that Klopp is going, I wouldn't be surprised if a part of the reason was being ground down by this style which has given Pep so Much success yet his heavy metal football has a paltry return despite all the excitement and praise it gets.

thought I was the only one feeling it

It is fine, switch to bundes you see Leverkusen with the new 3421 which is quick and energetic and enjoyable.

We don't have players like Henry, Ronaldinho, Okocha, Kaka, Seedorf, Iniesta, Nakata, Robben, etc anymore

What was the main football principle that Wenger used? I'm sure it wasn't that relativism that you mentioned. What top team is using that principle in the top leagues? I'm genuinely curious

Players became robots. Who nowdays even considers playing a guy who can't run like he has battery in his ass for 2 hours. Also limited freedom for players- no solo actions and long range shooting. Overall it's just chess game with human figures.

Instant subscribe BTW. I agree and I'm a Barca fan. I'm probably thr only Barca fan who doesn't think Guardiola is a genius. His way of playing is boring. I hate how much modern football I more about coaches than players.

It always a good day when he uploads

Thats why I enjoy watching Luton town, they play so beautifully even though they lose it's enjoying!

Its nothing to do with tactics, its like the NBA. The moment the change the rules regarding defending (physical part of the game). They essentially killed the sport.

I was thinking about this the other day. There's very few Ronaldihno-type players left. Any sort of flair has been sacrificed for efficiency. It kind of feels like European clubs are becoming like the robot clone team in that 2014 Nike ad. This is why I like watching South American games. Soccer is entertainment, not a science

big money destroyed the game completely

Yes and I miss the tiki taka style by the players of barcelona and spain.That was a time when players played for both club and country drilled by the same tactics and principles. Today it is all mumbo jumbo players from different nations playing for a team. The old spain and Barcelona era co insides with the relationism. not only they were familiar playing for the club but for country too

What needs to happen is a team needs to become champions without the boring style of soccer, because managers are being paid to win not be entertaining.

Even as a Juve fan I gotta say, Inter Milan do the exact opposite of what ur saying, they have talent and so much flair to them

Atleast by watching chelsea im clueless on what will happen in the next match even if it normally ends up with us losing

think it’s just people realizing in order to do your JOB more effectively you gotta jus play it safer

The issue for me is that these days it feels like individualism is coached out of players and you cant have mavericks because they don't do the work. I can't really imagine ronaldinho playing in 2024

I agree man last time I enjoyed football was 2021 during the World Cup I meant last month (I’m Barca fan )

🚨🚨🚨DMG HAD A HAIRCUT THIS IS NOT A DRILL !!!

Man City win “football is boring. Farmers league” Man City lose “haha billions and still can’t buy wins” The hate is unreal. 😂

You see, I love football, but am not a huge fan at the point to watch the matches so much. I like to hear things of them, and everything. I’m using football in a controlled way, because I won’t get bored and will not be sad. But I get your point, passing styles are smart, but boring. CR7 and Messi in La Liga are missing 😢

Eventually there will be a coach who figures out how to stop procession based high press.

7:44 That's Rasmus Højlund summed up there

1:37 "to death" 🤣🤣

There are less entertaining footballers with world class talent, but the sport is still far from boring.

Wengerball was more positional than Relationism. Also, this isnt Arsenals first title race since 2010; weve been in several

2:45 THIS IS SO ACCURATE

I love watching a prem match for 90 minutes just for it to end 0-0!

Another 11/10 banger. Diagonal = THE GOAT

So yes, mainstream football is becoming boring. My alternative is the MLS, been following the league since 2015, this season just started and I’m having a blast with it.

The easiest way to argue that it's boring... is to watch the difference between a goal of the month contest 10-15 years ago... and a goal of the month contest now. I fucking HATE cutback football. The volume of cutback goals is disgusting to watch... it works but it's fucking aids on the eye.

Watch leagues outside of Europe, brasileirão is always on fire🔥.

I think that the African cup of nations brought back a fraction of the old football

9:30 honestly the same goes for music and movies

this is why i love angeball

Love ur vid ❤

Boring? what is he talking about. Personally i think this is fine. Obvouisly he is a arsenal fan. tired of loosing

You know what? I totally agree with this video. Managers are now the GOATs of football. Football is a sport, a game. This kind of nonsense also affected games as well. The meta is making boring gameplay.

football has boring, even Pep said he hates tiki taka. its become like the robots in that nike ad

And also second comment relationist for Liverpool right now this season Trent szoboszlai and salah but if you want the more experienced Henderson Trent Salah

As great as Pep's philosophy is, it's not only boring, but it also only works with truly great players. You can't win it with less fit or less disciplined players using that style. For me the only truly entertaining "great team" of the last half a decade or so is Peak Liverpool, and that IMO is Klopp's biggest achievement, the fact that he built a near invincible team while not restricting his players too much.

lol just watch my team then. MU under that bald guy always switch the wingers (often fullbacks) and last night Garnacho dragged himself to other way of the side to play small passes with Antony. It didn't lead to a goal sure but I think it summed up what's this vid is all abt. Don't gimme wrong, I also have the same issue tho and also I like this vid

again the name of the song at the beginning

You're also right about stats, BUT. For ex. when a player is attacked for doing nothing, the stats can defend them. The big case of Messi who was excoriated for not doing anything, booed, and abused. Yet acc. to the stats he was the best player in Europe, the only one with an overall 8/10, and the most MOTMs, 14. So it wasn't Mbappe who was the best, with his 7 MOTMs, orHaaland who was 7th with only 6 MOTMs. Stats are a way of seing reality.

Football these days is kind of like chess. The most optimal way to play is also the most boring for the viewer. Watching Man City hold possession for 75 minutes and win 2-0 with 2 tap ins is the same as watching 2 chess grandmasters play 30 moves of drawn theory and shake hands at the end. Obviously you can't blame teams like Man City, why would they play less effectively than they could, right? But people who watch the sport can also not be blamed if they don't bother with these "big games" and would rather watch "worse" teams. For me personally it's not a dilemma, because the team I support (Olympiacos) doesn't play at that level, but for fans of Premier League clubs I can see this modern era being a pain

I rarely watch games i cant sit through a 90 min match i only watch for the ultras

This is why MLS is so much fun. It’s not so strict and we get some BANGERS

This man, just said, we should see more Top Flight Teams play like Swedish Giants Malmo, I cannot breathe 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, you all think this man actually sat down and watched a full Malmo 90’ to form this opinion, pure waffle.

The pace of the game is really slow with everyone playing passively which is boring

Football ain't boring now. Look, we don't have the drillers that we used to have beforehand, but mostly because of the absurd level of physicality, players run more, R stronger and overall have (on average) better (they became better tacklers and all.