why Johan Cruyff was not happy with the match against Germany
Johan Cruyff, the legendary Dutch footballer, is remembered not only for his incredible skill and vision on the pitch but also for his strong principles and outspoken nature. One of the most poignant moments in his illustrious career came during the 1974 FIFA World Cup, particularly in the match against West Germany. Despite the Netherlands’ remarkable journey to the final and Cruyff’s standout performances throughout the tournament, he was left deeply unhappy with the match against Germany, which would ultimately shape his legacy.
The final, held on July 7, 1974, in Munich’s Olympiastadion, saw the Netherlands face off against the host nation, West Germany. The Dutch team, under the guidance of coach Rinus Michels, had introduced the world to “Total Football,” a revolutionary style of play that emphasized fluidity, tactical versatility, and collective teamwork. Cruyff, as the team’s captain and star player, was the embodiment of this philosophy, dictating the play and dazzling fans with his creativity.
The match started in a manner that seemed to promise a historic Dutch victory. In the very first minute, Cruyff took control of the ball, darted towards the German defense, and was fouled inside the penalty box. Johan Neeskens converted the resulting penalty, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead before the Germans had even touched the ball. However, this initial success would soon be overshadowed by the events that followed.
West Germany, spurred by the early setback, quickly regrouped and began to impose themselves on the game. Franz Beckenbauer, the German captain, marshaled his team with discipline and determination. The turning point came in the 25th minute when Bernd Hölzenbein was brought down in the Dutch penalty area, leading to a controversial penalty decision. Paul Breitner converted the penalty, bringing Germany level.
As the match progressed, the Germans began to dominate, and in the 43rd minute, Gerd Müller scored what would prove to be the winning goal. The Dutch, who had controlled large portions of the match, found themselves trailing and, despite their best efforts, were unable to break down the German defense in the second half.
Cruyff’s dissatisfaction with the match stemmed from several factors. Firstly, he was frustrated by what he perceived as the Dutch team’s inability to maintain their composure after taking the early lead. Instead of continuing to play their brand of attacking football, the team seemed to lose focus, allowing the Germans to gain control.
Moreover, Cruyff was unhappy with the officiating, particularly the penalty awarded to Germany, which he felt was a harsh decision. He believed that the referee’s decisions played a significant role in shifting the momentum of the game.
Additionally, Cruyff was disillusioned by the tactics employed by West Germany. He felt that the German team had played a more pragmatic and less aesthetically pleasing style of football, which went against his ideals of how the game should be played. To Cruyff, football was not just about winning but about playing in a way that brought joy to both players and spectators.
The loss in the 1974 World Cup final was a bitter pill for Cruyff and the Dutch team to swallow. Despite their innovative approach and technical brilliance, they fell short at the final hurdle. For Cruyff, the match against Germany was not just a defeat on the scoreboard but a philosophical setback, one that highlighted the harsh realities of football. This experience would fuel his passion for the game and his desire to continue advocating for the principles of Total Football throughout his career as a player and later as a coach.
