Boring football. A term in this beloved sport of ours that can have different connotations.
For some, a team can be boring because they keep it tight defensively and do not always go toe-to-toe with opponents by playing expansively. For some, that is a legitimate football tactic and there is nothing wrong with doing so. (Hi, Jose Mourinho).
There are many football fans who also find tiki taka football absolutely boring. The endless short passing and possession football has many disciples and proponents (Hi, Pep Guardiola). However tiki taka’s critics craved the excitement of long passes, quick transitions from defence to attack, whipped crosses and thumping headers.
If we are truly looking for a football team which ”bored” its way to winning one of Europe’s big leagues, look no further than the legendary AC Milan of season 1993-94.
Milan scored 36 goals in 34 games that season. Basically, a goal per game. Yet, they still won the league. Of course, they could do so because of a rearguard that puts Marvel’s Defenders to shame. The super-heroic defending of Baresi, Costacurta, Desailly and Maldini led to the concession of only 15 goals in those 34 games.
It should be pointed out though that a team in Sweden managed to do even much better (or worse, depending on your viewpoint). AIK Stockholm won the league title in season 1997-98 by scoring 25 goals in 26 games. Less than a goal per game. All the other 13 teams in their division even scored more goals than they did, including the two relegated teams!
Boringly Glorious.
Oladimeji Sapoloso