When I referee amateur soccer games at the weekend, both men’s and youth, they follow a similar path for the first few minutes. From the kickoff, the ball will be played back to the defenders. The defenders will then pass the ball among themselves, involving maybe the goalkeeper and a central midfielder. Lovely stuff. Tiki-taka. Pure Pep. Flawless soccer, on the ground, straight to feet. The other team doesn’t get a sniff of the ball. Possession stats for the first two minutes: 100 percent to zero.

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