MARTINO

Mauricio Pochettino (the newly appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager), Gerardo Martino (former Barcelona), Jorge Sampaoli (Chile), Eduardo Berizzo (newly appointed Celta Vigo manager), Pep Guardiola - all have the words “press with intensity” inscribed into the playing-style within their coaching philosophy. All  directly inspired by Marcelo Bielsa (newly appointed Marseille manager). Also included in each philosophy of the managers listed above, will be the idea of getting into the pockets of space behind the opposition’s midfield - regardless of the approach …

Picture this scenario (disclaimer: not a fictional account of events - stolen from a particular match in 2005): You’re less than 180 seconds away from taking the cup final to penalties. It’s the game that nobody gave you and your disciples a hope in hell, even your players thought so - with their rational mindset anyway. But this is now, the 117th minute; 117 minutes of twists and turns. At half time you were 3-0 down, down and out. But …