The five-year impact of the new free kick rule in football
In the fall of 2017, free kicks began to be considered a real offensive tool. After his purchase from Benfica, it quickly became clear that Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson possessed a left leg more akin to a catapult than a human limb, capable of launching the ball 80 metres over the opposition defence to create a goal-scoring opportunity. Teams were baffled by this tactic, as they had never seen it before. City's entire attacking trio positioned themselves 20 metres beyond the opposition's goal line, confident that they could not be offside from a goal kick. @SamLee (@SamLee)"This set-up of City's…