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Johan Cruyff was the fulcrum around which Dutch "total football" revolved. Allsport Hulton/Archive |
Dutch "total football" -- Rinus Michels' tactical revolution in which highly adaptable players were granted complete freedom of movement around the pitch -- revolved around Cruyff.
Arguably the most naturally gifted player Europe has ever produced, Cruyff flourished within a system that encouraged improvisation and fluidity.
Dropping deep to instigate attacks, he would drift wide to receive the ball later in the move and then reappear in the penalty area to apply the finishing touches to another Dutch masterpiece.
Cruyff had already won three European Cups with Ajax, three European player of the year awards and a Spanish title at Barcelona by the time of the 1974 finals.
In West Germany, "total football" would reach another level. Cruyff scored twice in a 4-0 demolition of Argentina. Against defending champion Brazil he scored the goal of his career, a looping volley from Johann Neeskens' cross to earn a 2-0 win and a place in the final against the host.
In the first minute Cruyff's snaking run into the box resulted in a Dutch penalty, converted by Neeskens. But the tone of the game changed as Cruyff and his teammates fell victim to over-confidence, falling into a lazy, directionless passing game and never regaining their early momentum. Refusing to panic and inspired by Beckenbauer, the determined and talented West Germans fought back to win 2-1.
As temperamental as he was talented, Cruyff was constantly at odds with teammates, coaches and clubs and a series of disagreements with the Dutch football association meant Cruyff sat out the 1978 finals in Argentina and ended his international career with just 48 caps.
As the Netherlands reached another World Cup final, only to lose again to the host, many followers of Dutch soccer still dream what a Cruyff-led side might have achieved.
