penalty area

After the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and especially following the rule change in 2019 that allowed players to receive the ball from a goal-kick from inside the penalty area, training the build-up phase became not just common practice, but a fundamental pillar of modern football.

When he went down in the penalty area under the challenge of Rice, it looked as though Real had been handed a route back into the game when referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot.

Just like that you've decluttered the penalty area and, at the elite level, clearing a path for the goalkeeper and creating simpler one-on-one marking could reduce the chances of conceding.

The ruthless finishes against Dortmund were typical of his scoring habits in Spain - 93 of his 99 goals have come inside the penalty area.

Little illustrates United's desperation better than a 32-year-old centre-back being their most threatening weapon in the opposition penalty area.