Football is a strange game. Despite all the statistical facts underlying outcome predictions, actual results prove that anything can happen.
Yesterday an experienced well-rested team led by the workd's best player lost to a "tired" opponent that had to play its third tough game within 6 days.
The tired team had to replace some top players with reserves but still came away with a huge victory, crushing the highly regarded opponent.
The tired team was covering more ground, running faster and able to out-muscle the technically superior opponent.
They won most one-on-one individual encounters, anticipating passes better and intercepting passes better.
The well-rested team had at least 4 chances with high quality players (Messi, Suarez, Coutinho, Alba) facing the GK inside the box but could not score a goal.
The tired team took advantage of mistakes committed by some of the most sure-footed defenders, and their replacement players finished their chances ruthlessly, even succeeding to make one of the top GK's look bad. Ter Stegen looked like de Gea, making mistakes and performing far below his usual level.
If even one of the 4-5 "sitters" had been converted, it would have been enough.
However, it was not to be, the tired team kept on trying and even enlisted a ball boy to seal the fate of their celebrated opponents.
It's still difficult to grasp what happened, it still feels unreal.
But it's too late to change things. Heads may probably roll, what happened will surely have consequences.
If the tired team wins the huge European trophy, their best player, VVD, may even win the Ballon d'Or, although the current front runner - before this match - had one of the best years of his life.
