[Manny]

Good thread. I reckon in it's essence football IS a very simple game. The difference is over the years as the gentrification and money has crept in, it's all moved to a higher stakes game. Any little thing you can get an advantage over your opponent can make a world of difference.

I remember thinking when Wenger did all the dietary stuff that if it meant that his players were as strong in the 80th minute as they are in the 1st, but their opponents are fucked by the 60th, that's 20 minutes of being a superior side to take advantage in. Now everyone's doing all the dietary stuff, so something else needs to be found, to get that little bit of benefit.

When the gaps between success and failure are so fine, attention to detail is needed to exploit the weaknesses. I agree though, that Rafa doesn't need to overcomplicate the easier matches. The margins there are much bigger.