There are few things that degrade as rapidly as the element of surprise in elite soccer. Its half-life typically extends no more than 90 minutes. Even in extreme circumstances, it is unlikely to be more than twice that.
All it takes is two games, one at home and one away, to know everything there is worth knowing about any given rival. Two games provide three hours of footage for opposing managers and their coaching staff to analyze, as well as generating reams of data for analysts to pick through. This large enough sample size allows players themselves to learn, as Newcastle defender Dan Burn recently told the BBC.
There are exceptions, such as newly-promoted teams and sides with recent changes in personnel or management, but even their secrets are relatively fleeting.
Though teams may know what to expect, this does not necessarily mean they can stop it. For the most part, everyone is aware of Manchester City’s tactics, but the quality at Pep Guardiola’s disposal makes it difficult to counteract.
Soccer has changed considerably in the last 30 years and has become more sophisticated, faster, fitter, richer, and more popular. It has also developed a new school of thought and an advanced pursuit of knowledge to improve the game.
This knowledge, however, has created a tension between the need to win and the need to entertain. The game’s pursuit of knowledge has pushed the boundaries of its own possibilities but raises questions about whether winning always comes at the expense of entertainment.
Girona is currently leading in La Liga but is owned by City Football Group, leading to complications regarding UEFA’s current rules. Mounting injuries across various teams are seen as isolated crises, but the game seems to ignore the big picture of these struggles.