Libero Libero 051: Long Throws And Set Pieces... Is Football Going Back To The Mixer?
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Sep 9, 2025 
Jonathan Wilson, an esteemed football journalist and author known for his expertise in tactics and history, teams up with James Horncastle, a specialist in Italian football. They dive into the resurgence of tactical nuances, discussing man-marking versus zonal systems and how set-pieces are shaping modern coaching. The duo explores the evolution of football styles, debating if Pep Guardiola's influence marks the end of innovation or if the sport is rediscovering older strategies, balanced with modern techniques amid the evolving landscape.
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2008 Marked A Tactical Threshold
- Guardiola's appointment in 2008 coincided with a clear shift to more attacking Champions League football.
- Changes in pitch tech, laws and coaching allowed possession-based control to flourish.
Direct Play Regains Tactical Respect
- Long throws and long balls are being reconsidered as legitimate tactical tools rather than 'cheating'.
- Teams are returning to direct methods when appropriate, not purely out of nostalgia.
1987 Belgrade Shows Old English Directness
- Wilson recalls England's 1987 win in Belgrade to show how direct English football used to be.
- The match featured long punts, corners and physical direct play that contrasts with modern assumptions.
