Gurgen it is true that teams have been defending for 60 years, but this combination of old school physicality and structured low blocks is novel. There is no evidence from books I have read on football history of this type of defending. Remember, low blocks are different from playing deep, which teams have done for decades, in that they are more compact, structured and coordinated. Everybody in the league has caught up to high possession and high press, and set up with these defenses. That's why every game feels like war. Just look at the results this weekend. City struggled to 2-1, Chelsea 1-1, Liverpool won 1-0 in the 97th minute. Goals are at a premium everywhere because of how teams are able to set up to prevent them.
The only English teams I can think of who will consistently play us this open are United and Spurs. Most others will keep it compact.
