This was a game that was shaping up to be a story of two halves, but Vinícius Júnior ensured that Real Madrid would take the headlines when the dust had settled. After a first half where Liverpool’s execution had allowed Madrid to cut them open, Jürgen Klopp’s side opened the second half with some sequences, […]
Winning twelve and drawing one of their last thirteen games in the league, Barcelona’s form left this matchup poised to go only one way. But Real Valladolid had other ideas. Switching to a 5-2-1-2 shape, they made life tough for the home team’s rampant offense, holding out against a wave of attacks to take the […]
Paris Saint-Germain were sure to have control of the ball but were faced by Lille’s stubborn 4-4-2 shape. And defensively, the Paris outfit were cut open on a few occasions with the wide areas looking especially susceptible to danger. Lille grabbed a fairly early lead and held off their hosts to grab a result with […]
After early phases of even pressing, Liverpool flexed their authority, gained control and put their trademark pressing triggers in place. What was needed was a switch, and the entrance of Diogo Jota gave Liverpool the offensive potency they had missed. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Throughout the illustrious history of the Premier League, […]
The long-awaited cup final between two Basque rivals promised to be an even duel on paper, and so it proved. Real Sociedad’s playful 4-3-3 system shone through in terms of control of the ball but had to rely on a world-class play to pull away from a rugged Athletic Club outfit. Tactical analysis and match […]
A single goal was all it took to decide this topspiel, but this was a missed opportunity for RB Leipzig who were the better side for long stretches of the game. With Bayern Munich reduced to attacking through transitions, the chance to take at least a point was available, but Dani Olmo missed a gilt-edged […]
The defensive game plan of Leicester City disrupted their opponents’ buildup, but an aggressive counterpress left the Foxes’ cornered. Manchester City know more than one route to victory, which their next challengers will have to consider. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The matchup between the Premier League’s number one and three took little […]
Taking an early lead, England hoped to put an understrength Poland to bed. But the guests battled hard in their 5-3-2 shape and took their chances when they came to force a late winner and a narrow result out of their hosts. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Amid all the baggage that […]