Don Andrés. We are not worthy
Typically, occasional Arsenal orchestrator Mesut Özil is the player you most associate with the ‘scoop pass’, a move not used particularly often in football outside of school playgrounds up and down the country.
The reason for this is twofold. First, the unique design of a particular variety of Clarks’ shoes lent themselves to the technique, meaning that even on the harsh concrete playing surface, with either a worn-out old caser or temperamental float-away, players could scoop at will up and over defences. Better yet, the more audacious amongst us would do it over those pesky goalkeepers between the two rucksacks when played through one on one.
Secondly, it is an extremely difficult skill to measure. Unless you have a perfect arc and weight, you will look ridiculous attempting any scoop through ball, as the defenders calmly collect it dropping from the sky and your teammates throw their arms up in the air in exasperation.
Good thing then, that we have Andrés Iniesta to show us how it’s done, looping it over an entire defence to find the onrushing Lukas Podolski for a tap-in.
🇯🇵 Même au Japon, Iniesta reste un magicien : regardez sa dernière passe décisive pour Podolski 😍 pic.twitter.com/j1c3LJeZ8b
— Yahoo Sport France (@YahooSportFR) November 3, 2018
Even if it is the J-League, it’s great to see two legends combine like that for a goal both would have been proud of at the peak of their powers.
Despite Iniesta’s headline-grabbing move to the J-League to join Podolski, Vissel Kobe have struggled in the league of late and Saturday’s clash with Nagoya Grampus Eight was a must-win if they were to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight with only three games to play.
Fortunately, their two star players stepped up to help secure the win. Iniesta’s glorious assist set up Podolski for the opener with only 10 minutes played before Nagoya equalised just after halftime.
The former German international was on hand to score the winner, however, pouncing in the 85th minute to move Kobe out of danger.
