Thiago Alcantara Quotes

European teams have always shied away from South American football. They struggle to get to grips with it. The South American game is more technical and about keeping possession, while European football is more dynamic, physical and direct.

Italian football is just how I imagined it to be - far more tactical than the Spanish game which is based on technique.

In England and Germany, perhaps, there is more of a focus on the physical side of the game, in breaking down the opposition's play, especially against the lower placed sides.

English football is changing: the champions don't play a 'typical' English style, for example. But in general, it's quicker than in Spain: more counter-attacks, more open, more direct.

The football in Spain is more about skill and technique. Every team tries to play good football. The physical side, with plenty of running and hard tackling, plays more of a role in the Bundesliga.

What do folk always say about Arsenal? They can pass you to death.

It's in the DNA of River fans to prefer attractive and technical football with plenty of possession. I noticed that quickly, and I was made aware just how important that was to River fans, and so I tried to adapt with my characteristics and ability.

It's not easy to create chances or a game when you're just receiving long balls.

Football in England is much more direct that in Spain - not just in terms of tactics or style but in the overall approach.

English football is very physical, much more so than Spanish football - I felt it in the first match.

I have always said that the BVB style is exactly how I want to play football.

The style is the same at all levels, which facilitates things: bring the ball out from the back, keep possession, work gaps to create chances. It's like that from the Under-15s all the way through. That's the Spanish way, and it has triumphed.

I love Sarri's philosophy. We play high, with a lot of possession in a technical way.

I think, from our point of view, my opinion is that La Liga, the tempo and physicality is completely different to the Premier League. Technically, some of the teams there are absolutely tip top.

In every country, you play a different style of football. Sometimes if it's really tactical, like it is in Spain, it seems like it slows down the tempo, but it's not really the case.

I've said in the past that I'd like to play in Spain one day, because it is a league that is good technically and where you get a lot of touches on the ball, which is my style.

Cruyff defined a philosophy and a style of how we had to play: positional play, type of players, the profile of the coaches, even.

Obviously, culturally, England's style of play is a lot more direct and physical. In Spain, they're a lot more patient, and they have the ball a lot more.

The game in Spain is more about technique and about getting more touches on the ball. That's why I like it so much.

I like offensive, technical, and quick football - exactly in the style of Arsenal.

In Italy, it is all about tactics and playing for a result, whereas in Spain, the focus is on technique and pace. In England, the game is based on aggression and non-stop action.

I don't think City play a Brazilian style - it is more Spanish the way we play here.

I don't like the Italian approach. I don't want to be involved in that kind of football.

English football is very different from Italian; it's more physical, and matches are always very open.

Mourinho is a coach who likes more the ball practice, works the ball possession and makes short games.