A lethargic and slumped performance is not desired when maximum points are the minimum. Internazionale was adaptable but lacked cohesiveness, with neither team able to capitalize on each other’s imperfections. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The Scudetto sprint had seen Inter stride into an impressive lead: a team whose structure has kept their […]
Aston Villa attempted to pose a challenge to Arsenal with their narrow defensive scheme, but Arsenal proved very effective in progressing over the wings. This, along with their strong high pressing game, helped Mikel Arteta’s side to dominate the first half and take the lead. The home side were more aggressive in the second half […]
Leeds brought a high tempo approach to the game, and their pressing made Wolves uncomfortable in the early stages. A couple of forced substitutions and a goal for Wolves helped the home side gain more stability midway through the half, and they eventually went in 2-0 up. Things spiralled out of control for them in […]
West Ham started the game with an attacking mindset, looking to cancel out the deficit from the first leg. With the help of suitable midfield roles in their possession game, they were able to do this in the first half through Tomáš Souček’s goal. There was no separating the teams in the second half, but […]
The second act of the intriguing Champions League tie between Juventus and Villarreal was held in Italy, with a quarterfinal place very much up for grabs as the first leg ended 1-1. Villarreal had the upper hand in a way as they clearly won the tactical battle in the first leg, but Juventus initially looked […]
Rolling back the years in their fight to finish in the top four, amid their latest growth spurt, Arsenal relished the visit of Liverpool as a stern trial of their credentials. The visitors were slow to find their rhythm before half time, but tinkering from the dugout was too much to handle. Tactical analysis and […]
After a 1-1 draw in a first leg where Atlético Madrid seemed to be the better side overall, they visited Old Trafford to face Manchester United with a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals on the line. As was the case in their previous meeting, the team with less of the ball looked more in […]
On home turf at the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax expected to atone for their first leg profligacy and get into the last eight of the Champions League. Their dominance of the ball, field and chances signaled a victory, but a marksman emerged from the shadows to break hearts near the death. Tactical analysis and match report […]
In what was expected to be a fiercely contested fixture between these two rivals, a mostly scrappy affair was played out. Verona’s man-marking toughened Napoli’s task but their individual quality shone through as dynamic combination play led to a steady stream of attacking danger. Osimhen proved pivotal in spearheading the visitors’ attack with his brace […]
This was a fairly even match between two sides in the hunt for European football next season. Real Betis showed the defensive solidity and organization that they have lacked for much of the season, and this helped them maintain their single goal lead over Athletic Club even after going down a man late on in […]