Rafa Benitez was thinking back. All the way to September 12, 1998. He was manager of newly promoted Extremadura then, playing their second game of the season in La Liga. Barcelona away. Not the easiest.
Pep Guardiola was Barcelona’s captain, Patrick Kluivert and the De Boer brothers among the new summer signings. They went into a team that already included Luis Figo and Rivaldo.
‘We played 4-4-2,’ said Benitez. ‘We pressed high. The difference between then and now is massive. You see Chelsea today? Brighton did a good game, but they concede four goals.