A healthy dose of grit and passion made up for a lack of pure quality in this Basque derby. After scoring early through a quick counterattack, La Real contained their arch rival well, overcame some ultimately disappointing offensive moves and walked away with the win relatively easy. Tactical analysis and match report by Erik Elias. […]
A matchup between two teams, level on points, forty-eight hours after their last game was not ideal for both, but Chelsea and Aston Villa served up a feisty affair. Chelsea blew hot and cold, convincing combinations hand-in-hand with fruitless passes, whilst Aston Villa pressed effectively, without feeding their attack as much as they could have. […]
As we have grown accustomed to this season, Tottenham took the lead early and chose to sit back, accepting Wolves’ seemingly harmless attacks. Settling for little often backlashes, though, and a late goal made the once high flying title contenders violently crash back to earth for a draw. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem […]
Liverpool hoped to put West Bromwich Albion to the sword in their final home game of 2020. Though they took an early lead, the hosts struggled to break down a dogged low block, before taking a nasty blow at a set piece to leave us all pondering what turn the title race will take next. […]
Boxing Day brought a much-needed win for Mikel Arteta. Not only does it buy him time, but the convincing way his Arsenal side dispatched their unflattering London rivals provides a blueprint for the future. His team showcased a functional system, combinations, and a balanced framework in an entertaining affair. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]
Intelligent sequences of play interspersed with battles in midfield saw Manchester United take the lead twice, but the resilience of the home side saw them do enough to secure the draw. Brendan Rodgers’ side managed to claw back through goals from Harvey Barnes and the inevitable Jamie Vardy, but it was clearly United who won […]
Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have another semi-final to look forward to, as his Manchester United team dominated proceedings at Goodison Park. Though their chance creation was not supreme, the movement of their midfielders pulled their opponents apart before goals in the last two minutes delivered a crushing blow to Everton’s hopes of a much-needed trophy. […]
Arsenal’s meeting with Manchester City would be the fourth and final time the master would lock horns with his protégé in 2020. Though Gabriel Martinelli and a change in system looked to counter the heavy blow of City’s 4-2-2-2 shape, self-inflicted damage helped consign the hosts to another loss that leaves their teacher more and […]
Real Sociedad struggled to create chances against a rock-solid Atlético who not only defend well but also attack with extreme efficiency. The home side displayed some brilliant possession football in the first half hour but could not turn their possessions into shots. Atlético slowly adjusted to their opponents to turn the tables, and then broke […]
The game quickly turned sour when an early lead from Fiorentina and a Juventus red card gave the visitors a comfortable upper-hand. Prandelli’s intuitions perfectly blended with one of Juve’s most self-destructive performances to date, as the visitors walked away with a scrappy, yet deserved win. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi. Juve’s […]