Ahead of this year’s edition of the Super Cup, many wondered how close Sevilla would come to Bayern Munich as second best. But their status as favorites counted for little, as Sevilla’s hybrid pressing system created many issues, leaving an unlikely hero to take the stage in extra time. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Under […]
With a congested fixture list, both teams rested plenty of regular starters. However, the fluidity and focus on spacing that Mikel Arteta has brought to Arsenal was once again visible, even if it was not executed spectacularly. Leicester meanwhile were somewhat reliant on individual efforts from their attackers to make breakthroughs. A second half own […]
Lille’s 4-4-2 defensive block and well-timed pressing frustrated Marseille’s buildup throughout the match – leading the visitors to multiple midfield recoveries and effective offensive transitions. However, poor finishing and a confusing change of shape from Christophe Galtier late in the match would undo much of Lille’s good work, as they were forced to settle for […]
Real Madrid’s clash with Real Sociedad was billed as the star fixture of the second matchday of LaLiga football. The guests controlled proceedings through their pressing and possession in their 4-2-3-1 shape, pinning back their opponents for much of the game. However, attacks petered out in the final third, as Madrid searched for a new […]
Pirlo’s career as Juventus manager could not have started on a better note, as his ideas can already be observed to a certain extent. Width, depth, and functional occupation of the field to guarantee options inside and outside, necessary to apply strong counterpressing, were all key elements in Juve’s win over Sampdoria. Tactical analysis and […]
After a difficult domestic start following the Champions League final, PSG finally showed more quality and efficiency in this performance against Nice. Patrick Vieira’s ambitious plan was interesting from a tactical point of view, but it was not enough to beat Kylian Mbappé and Keylor Navas. Tactical analysis and match report by Simon Piotr. It […]
The first half saw Liverpool on top but Chelsea were able to hold on with their passive 4-5-1 defensive shape and occasional transition attacks through Timo Werner. Andreas Christensen’s sending off just before half-time changed the game though, as ten-man Chelsea were unable to cover space defensively. Two Sadio Mané goals wrapped the game up […]
Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach provided each other with a tough test to kick off their Bundesliga campaigns. Matching up in similar three-at-the-back shapes, these two were generally tough to separate in this contest. It was Dortmund’s young attacking core that provided the cutting edge that Mönchengladbach lacked as a notable attacking pair were absent […]
The protection of the crown could not have started better for Bayern Munich, whose demolition of Schalke 04 sets the heaviest first matchday defeat in Bundesliga history. Though Bayern were faultless, it was the severe lack of ideas from Schalke manager David Wagner that stood out in an utter humiliation at the empty Allianz Arena. […]
Graham Potter’s effect on Brighton’s attacking style continued, and impressively so. Were it not for wasted openings and missed chances, Lampard’s own tactical adjustments might not have been enough to fully disrupt an opening match day result for Brighton. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Looking to improve on last season’s fifteenth-placed finish, […]