The feeling of optimism permeated Olympique Lyonnais as the club prepared to embark on the 2019/20 season. Juninho’s return as sporting director, his handpicked managerial appointment, as well as record spending in the transfer market had supporters eager to watch their club venture into a new era. Eight months later, those sentiments have been long […]
Maurizio Sarri’s first nine months at Juventus have been troubled to say the least, with high expectations weighing on the manager’s mind since his first day in Turin, and consistent delays that have broken up his working rhythm. Even so, his side is still in contention to win every competition. How has Sarri gone about […]
The city of Bergamo is a very very grim place right now. Yet it is here, right at the heart of Italy’s horrendous Covid crisis, that one of this season’s most beautiful stories played out as local small-town football club Atalanta rose to the peak of their powers and looked to join Serie A’s elite. […]
The battle between Juventus and Inter is catching most of the attention, but this historical Serie A season is getting shaped by a surprise architect. With 26 games played – and the Serie A now suspended at least until April 3rd – Lazio sit on 62 points, only one behind league leaders Juventus. Prior to […]
Bayer Leverkusen’s sterile first half was salvaged by a fortunate penalty. Rangers earned their way back into the game, but saw their efforts nullified by a second Bayer goal. Finally, Edmundson repaired his penalty-costing mistake with a headed goal, only for Leon Bailey to crush Gerrard’s men’s hopes with a late third goal. Tactical analysis […]
In an empty Parc Des Princes, punctuated by the sounds of fireworks set off by supporters barred from entry, PSG dismantled a skittish Dortmund side with the type of professional performance that had eluded them in previous years. Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell. PSG went without football over the weekend, as their […]
The game played out largely as most predicted it would, with Atlético in a low block 4-4-2 shape fending off Liverpool wave after Liverpool wave. Strong goalkeeping and emergency defending from Atlético kept them in the game, but Liverpool were able to take it to extra-time thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal. Chaos then descended as […]
Both teams challenged each other head-on in an often uninspiring affair, until individual mistakes kicked in to spark up the atmosphere of a game played behind closed doors.
José Mourinho switched to a somewhat surprising 3-4-3 formation for this Champions League return match. The switch appeared to bring Tottenham Hotspur slightly more joy, without surrendering the numerical advantage in wide buildup to RB Leipzig. However, the severely lacking cohesion in Spurs’ attacks – especially compared to Leipzig – made a telling difference. Tactical […]
A chaotic game saw both Atalanta and Valencia struggle to carry out their game plans, eventually falling victim to individual mistakes that set off a relentless shower of goals. Josip Iličić once more stood out as the leading force, with four goals to his name carrying Atalanta into the quarter-finals. Tactical analysis and match report […]