As Vincenzo Italiano fails to find a solution to Bologna’s bad form, Raffaele Palladino has brought a positive environment back to Atalanta Bergamo. In both avenues in which Bologna tried to attack, Atalanta responded with more directness whilst dominating the duels in the process. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Just a place […]
A fiercely contested Serie A fixture at the Stadio Olimpico saw Napoli assert control early, with incisive attacking play and tactical dominance setting the tone against a beleaguered Lazio side. Leonardo Spinazzola’s expertly-timed strike and Amir Rrahmani’s powered header inside the opening half-hour established a commanding lead for the reigning champions, who dictated possession and […]
Arsenal are the team to beat in the Premier League, and the battle of two Basque bosses was another opportunity to atone for the shortcomings of seasons past. The Cherries came out with energy, but the personality and presence of two leading figures helped ensure another victory. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. […]
Fulham and Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage in a game that was far from straightforward. Florian Wirtz cancelled out Harry Wilson’s first half opener in the second half. Cody Gakpo would strike for Liverpool at the death but just when the Reds thought they had won the game, Harrison Reed’s thunderous […]
Manchester City dominated the first half as Chelsea sat back passively in a defensive block. Tijjani Reijnders produced the opener from a well-worked counterattack after a careless loss of possession by the visitors in midfield. After a few changes at half-time by Calum McFarlane, Chelsea grew into the game, found stability, and began threatening offensively. […]
Real Sociedad’s 1–1 draw against Atlético de Madrid on January 4th was a match shaped as much by context as by tactics. It marked the first appearance of Pellegrino Matarazzo on the Real Sociedad bench, in a situation where defeat would have left the Basque side dangerously close to the relegation zone, while Atlético once […]
Real Madrid kick-started the new year with an emphatic win against Real Betis. Gonzalo Garcia proved his entitlement to replace Kylian Mbappé, netting a perfect hat-trick. Whilst offensive setpieces were Los Blancos’ alternatives to finding the net, defensive transitions and relaxation during the winning game state made Xabi Alonso’s side susceptible to breaking through their defense. Tactical […]
This was a tough game for Barcelona, with Espanyol’s compact 4-4-2 shape initially hard to break down, and the home side’s direct attack causing problems. Hansi Flick was able to change the shape of the game in the second half through his substitutions though, earning more midfield control before Fermín Lopez provided two excellent assists. […]
Ruben Amorim and Daniel Farke played out a bruising encounter at Elland Road, where Manchester United’s makeshift backline survived a relentless Leeds press. In a game defined by man-to-man duels and transitional chaos, a defensive lapse from teenager Ayden Heaven was quickly rectified by the individual brilliance of Matheus Cunha, leaving both sides to settle […]
Sunderland and Manchester City closed Matchday 19, ending the first half of the Premier League season with a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Backed by an energized crowd, Sunderland imposed themselves physically, created excellent chances in the first half and managed to stop the best attack in the competition. With the result, Guardiola’s […]