Planet Money · Friday, July 3, 2026
Economist Ignacio Palacios-Huerta provided Chelsea with a penalty report for the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United. The report offered insights into individual players' tendencies, though ultimately the strategy backfired, contributing to Chelsea's loss.
“Ignacio ends up writing a penalty report on Manchester United for Chelsea.”
“And what does Ignacio's crib sheet say? It has some amazing advice.”
“He said against Van Der Sar, either go over the ground or high in the top corner, but do not hit it mid-height.”