In the spanish most successful period in the years 2008-2012 the team practiced a style of football known as 'tiki-taka", a systematic approach to football that is based on the concept of team unity as well as an understanding of the space geometry on the field of football.
Tiki-taka is described as "a method of play that is that is based on getting towards the back of the net using quick passing and movement" as it is a "short passing technique in which the ball is carefully worked through many channels" as well as it is a "nonsensical term that has evolved to mean quick passing, patience and possession over everything other things". The game involves a rooster-like movement and interplay between midfielders as well as the movement of the ball through intricate patterns, as well as precise, one-touch or two-touch passes. The tiki-taka style is "both offensive and defensive equally" The team remains in control, and does not need to switch between attacking and defending. The commentators have compared tiki-taka to "Route One Physicality" as well as the more brisk moving in Barcelona as well as Arsene Wenger's 2007/08 Arsenal team, which used Cesc Fabregas as the only way to connect attack and defence. Tiki-taka has been associated with flair as well as creativity and touch, however it can be applied to an "slow in a directionless, sluggish extreme" that compromises performance to enhance aesthetics.
Tiki-taka has been used for players of the Spanish National team in order to be the winner of UEFA Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. The current team is considered to be among the best international teams in the history of football.
They've got an Barcelona "carousel" consisting of Xavi And Andres Iniesta. They are joined By the Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, who plays in the midfield.
--- Phil McNulty of the BBC on midfielders who are at the core of Spain's tiki taka passing method of playing.
Sid Lowe identifies Luis Aragones tempering of tiki-taka's style with practicality as a major factor that helped Spain win Euro 2008. Aragones utilized tiki-taka to "protect the defense that seemed to be insecure [...], keep possession and win games" without going towards "evangelical extremities". Six of Spain's initial goals of the tournament resulted from tiki-taka. Five were direct breaks and one was an established play. For Lowe the success of Spain in their 2010 World Cup was evidence of the convergence of two different styles in Spanish football The "powerful quick, aggressive, direct" style that earned the silver medal of the 1920 Antwerp Olympic team the nickname La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury") and the tiki-taka approach of the modern Spanish players, who focuses on a team-based, short-passing technique and possession-based games.
In analyzing Spain's semi-final win over Germany in the 2010 World Cup, Honigstein described the Spanish team's tiki taka style in terms of "the most difficult type of football that is possible with a tough passing game, accompanied by intense, high-pressure". According to Honigstein Tiki-taka is "a major improvement" in Total Football because it relies on ball movement instead of players changing positions. Tiki-taka was a way for Spain the ability to "control as well the ball as well as the opposition".
We share the same concept like each other. Maintain the ball, cause motion around and off the ball, and then enter the spaces and cause risk.
-- Xabi Alonso (Spanish midfielder).