The 1968 no-offside experiment: Cruyff played in a televised experimental match (Ajax vs AZ ’67) where the offside rule was fully abolished (plus modified throw-ins). As the centre-forward, he and Piet Keizer largely goal-hung and were “of little use” according to contemporary reports—teammates didn’t involve them much, and the game didn’t produce the expected goal flood or excitement. Dutch newspapers noted more space on the pitch but concluded it was unlikely to lead to permanent changes.