In what was a drastic change from the norm, Barcelona ceded control to their opponents and let Villarreal play the match on their own terms. Without a brilliant goal from Pedri it might have cost them, but Barcelona’s sound defensive structure (and some fantastic individual defending) allowed them their twelfth straight win. Tactical analysis and […]
An hour into an unattractive performance, Erik ten Hag made an important change to his frontline. To the wing went Bruno Fernandes, and in the ten position was Wout Weghorst: the password to a tough Leeds United code. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. How bizarre is it to get back-to-back matches just […]
In a game where the stakes were high in terms of the top four battle and the title race, Union Berlin’s desire ultimately outdid eipzig’s poise. Union’s defensive shape became a talking point once again, as their opponents struggled to find solutions despite leading at half-time. Janik Haberer and Robin Knoche scored in the second […]
Arsenal intended to gear up for a heavyweight clash with another three points at their fortress. But their guests refused to submit, stinging their title bid to reveal chinks in the current armor. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Arsenal’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium came after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester […]
Milan looked to end a disastrous run of form of four straight losses and seven matches without a win when they took on Torino, who were now just one spot behind them in the table. The pressure was starting to show in Stefano Pioli’s tactical decisions as he switched up systems in the previous couple […]
Borussia Dortmund maintained their winning start to 2023 with a comprehensive victory over SC Freiburg. The visitors had to play the majority of the game with ten-men but managed to go in level at half-time. The second half, however, was a different story. Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Smoothy. Prior to kick-off Dortmund […]
A match characterized by an evident tactical disparity, as Inter Milan backed up the success in the Supercup derby with a determined performance, whereas AC Milan were unable to shake off the heavy difficulties from last weeks. Simone Inzaghi, again, yielded the results of his well-structured gameplan in front of a sluggish Stefano Pioli side. […]
Bayern Munich have endured a weak start to the new year, and this fixture followed suit. A four goal haul pulled them clear of the hosts to secure all three points, but familiar weaknesses on the ball contributed to a contest in which Wolfsburg could have extended their winless streak. Tactical analysis and match report […]
It truly was a tale of two halves as Sevilla played solid, structured defensive football in the first half, before Jorge Sampaoli tried to mess with a working system to try and win the match. Xavi’s Barcelona, who had already been dominating the game, took advantage of Sampaoli’s mistake and put three goals past Bono […]
Manchester City turned up to Tottenham Hotspur and lost. It’s a narrative we have come used to, a bizarre trend in their period of absolute dominance. Yet the spaces left for Spurs to transition into cast an uncomfortable light on a piece of City security that has begun to show cracks. Tactical analysis and match […]