In a world of pressing traps, passing lanes and cover shadows, football has become more tactically sophisticated than ever before, and top-level players are making dozens of geometric calculations every minute.



This has become particularly apparent with goal-kicks, when teams play out methodically and their opponents press at specific angles, shepherding them into their press. The change to the goal-kick law ahead of this campaign has provided extra tactical interest, allowing teams more room to breathe when playing out from deep.



The previous significant law change, in terms of restarting a match, came three years ago — when IFAB (the International Football Association Board) decided that, for the first time, kick-offs could be taken backwards. Previously, kick-offs effectively necessitated two players standing over the ball: one to kick-off forwards, one to (generally) play the ball backwards to a team-mate. Now, a single player can stand inside the opposition...