Those who love the game have a childish need for space, to gain meters: this is something specific to children, but from which the greats of football have a lot to learn
Luciano Spalletti expressed a curious recommendation: “Juve, do like Ferrari”. But how? If he finishes fifth like Leclerc, he will stay out of the Champions League. He meant: “It exploits every centimeter of the field, like an F.1 car exploits the whole track, including the curbs.” Those who love playing have this childish need for space: the more children have, the more fun they have. Arrigo Sacchi, after every match for Inter del Trap, found the pitch narrower and had to move the sidelines, as did Cesc Fabregas, who grew up in the Masia of Barcelona, which is the Toyland of football. He widened the Como pitch by one meter, which measured 66, to reach the 68 of the Camp Nou, where Pep also dribbled on the curbs. Max Allegri, today’s opponent, says that nothing changes, even if his low block preferably inhabits narrow spaces.
Everyone plays the football they believe in. No one has won more championships than Trap (7) and Max (6). But there is a strong curiosity to discover how much beauty is hidden in that extra metre. It’s like that in life too. Safe workplace that guarantees the future: ok. But that surprise, risky proposal is closer to your dreams. Broaden the field. Is 60 years too long to learn the violin you’ve loved all your life? You already have the padel, the cinema, the family… Add a meter. The usual Ibiza this summer? Why not a Vietnamese restaurant or a Japanese novel? Broaden your field and your visions. Are you afraid of the new passion that is knocking at your heart? Don’t block low, attack like Cesc’s wingers. Happiness dances on the curbs.