You know I don't think there will ever be a time when the English player is not respected, and feared, across the world of football. The English footballer is very brave and strong and committed and there is always enough high-class players in his team to cause concern in any opponent. It is a national characteristic.
Johan CruijffThere are very few players who know what to do when they're not marked. So sometimes you tell a player: that attacker is very good, but don't mark him.
Johan CruijffChoose the best player for every position, and you'll end up not with a strong XI, but with 11 strong 1's.
Johan CruijffA counter-attack can only arise when you make a mistake. That's why there are rules. A horizontal pass? Prohibited. In my line-up there are as many lines as possible. Because you must have the option to pass the ball forward, even if it's a meter. Because then I can still make up for the loss of possession. After a horizontal pass this is impossible.
Johan Cruijff