vignesh12345 Posted March 22, 2025 Posted March 22, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/08/barcelona-arsenal-live In this commentary, review minute 82. Suddenly the pitch looks huge. There are vast open spaces out there on the wings. It's like eight pitches joined together. Almunia makes a brilliant save with his knee to thwart Messi. He was offside, but still a wonder save. Nathan Duin points out "Inter defended against this team with 10 men for a very long time." True. OK. Arsenal can't defend against this team with 10 men. Only Mourinho-issue super-defenders can. This is the ultimate form of sporting greatness. When a team is so good, that the other team adapts for 80 mins in a super-defensive fashion, making the spaces look compact. And when they are forced to chase the game, suddenly the pitch looks huge. This sporting illusion has never been recreated by any team since, in any sport. This illusion demonstrates the idealized form of sporting greatness. cricketfan28 1
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