While both Everton and Manchester United had limitations in their respective buildups, only one team had Bruno Fernandes. His roaming from the number ten spot was pivotal to progressing through Everton’s passive 4-5-1 defensive formation, being involved in all three of their goals and provided Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side with an important three points. Tactical […]
For what had appeared to be a rather limited strategy for ball progression from Ronald Koeman soon turned into an irrepressible one. Once Manuel Pellegrini’s side felt forced to switch their pressing scope from the Dutch magician, Frenkie de Jong, on Pedri instead, they then found themselves in deep waters, trying to steady a forever-sinking […]
A game of nearly equal opportunities between two imperfect sides saw the more composed team clinch the victory. Bayern Munich emerged as the winners of Der Klassiker through excellent finishes from Alaba, Lewandowski and Sane, though the loss of Kimmich portends a bleak future for the reigning champions. On the other hand, as it so […]
A lack of midfield creativity stunted Paris Saint-Germain’s buildup and left it at the mercy of a Leipzig press, which increased in confidence and efficacy as the match progressed. A missed penalty in the first half from Ángel Di María was the last true opportunity PSG generated on goal, as a poor second half was […]
A match relatively even, Real Madrid generally had the better of the first half, as Inter played deeper and looked to draw Madrid onto them. The home side went 2-0 up, but a more aggressive, resurgent Inter eventually pulled it back to 2-2. Madrid substitute Rodrygo had the decisive moment though as he scored the […]
A red card to Marcelo in the second half changed the tide of a fixture that seemed to be edging in Lyon’s favour. However, after the sending off the visitors failed to register an attempt on goal and were saved only by the questionable management of their opponent. Galtier made one change to a blunt […]
Arsenal dominated from the start thanks to their well-designed pressing system which helped to take advantage of the deficits in United’s buildup. Neither attack was overly impressive, and it took Arsenal some time to capitalize on their superiority. Eventually, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put them ahead from the penalty spot and from there on Mikel Arteta’s side […]
Sevilla started the game well, combining composure with a neat adjustment to their 4-1-4-1 shape to control the opening stages of the game. But unable to improve their advantage, Athletic’s growing pressure and sloppy mistakes in buildup turned the game on its head. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Athletic Club entered this matchup on a […]
Though the Bulls raised him, loanee Hannes Wolf delivered a first Bundesliga defeat to his parent club, in a game that was unusually dim considering what we have come to expect from these teams. The change of shape for Leipzig banished their efficient positional play, into a regressive buildup structure, whilst Borussia Mönchengladbach had passing […]
David Moyes’ West Ham provided one of the sturdiest deep blocks that the Anfield stands might have ever seen. The visitors ceremoniously allowed their opponents all the possession in the world and managed to not crack at all while they sat back in their 5-4-1 stronghold. Sadly for West Ham, this was the case prior […]