Just watched that clip another 20 or so times.
That is unquestionably one of the best passes I've ever seen.
Notice there is a split second after the pass is made before Villa starts his run. I have three theories.
1. Even he can't believe Pirlo would attempt that pass.
2. He is checking the line judge to see if he is back onside.
3. He is cagily giving the defense a moment to mask that he was not back onside yet.
Don't know.
Regardless, his touch and finish from within a CB sandwich of pressure was also perfect.
Had Pirlo's pass been anywhere else, it doesn't work. Had either of Villa's touches been anything else, it doesn't work.
Both sublime. I'm going back to watch another 20 times.
Poku.
I don't know if this is a separate hypothesis or corollary of your first theory.
I think even David Villa didn't see the space, and Pirlo played him into the run. The weight of the ball was perfect, as Pirlo knew he had to give him time to both get back on and then run onto it.
It was magnificent, no matter. As I mentioned, I was on the other end of the field. So I guess I wouldn't have seen the Villa near crash or goal anyway, as I'd have already fainted from the beauty of that ball.
Mix played a ball that made me want to Poku at some point in the first half, and whomever was the recipient (I can't recall) Lamparded the hell out of it. I think it was Tommy, maybe.
It's fairly obvious Poku, Pirlo, Mix, Angelino, Facey and DV operate at a level of tactical acumen foreign to others on the squad (not that the listed players are all the same respective levels, but at least one level above the rest of the team). That level is known as competence. Iraola is getting there. Tommy is at least lifted by the better players and moves around a lot, which is a damn sight more than the static presence of The Ned.
I credited Kreis in one of my drunken post game ramblings for having Allen basically demonstrate what he wanted out of the spot and then bringing on the talent (basically, just ignore the fact that Jacobsen is worthless at getting into space and play like he is where he ought to be even though he never is).
It's so obvious to us all that Mix needs to take Jacobsen's spot. Whether or not Kreis figures it out may indeed be the determining factor of whether we make the playoffs.
I still don't really understand taking Mix off. He's never once looked fatigued to me all season. I would understand it if we had a defensive stopper or another attacking type mid, but we don't. At the time, we were level. It would have made more sense to me to get Mullins on then if you're going to take off a mid. I certainly wouldn't have put in Tian. I don't think he's ever even looked dangerous all season (on the pitch I mean, don't know if he's driving himself to 1Oak. Yes, tasteless, I know), much less sniffed a chance or actually contributed to an attack.
