Olympique de Marseille fell to their third defeat in a row as Stade Rennais shook off a slumberish start. Rennes would finish the night provisionally on top of the table and dreaming of what could come. Marseille would be left thinking about a week in which they’ll face Beşiktaş and then Paris Saint-Germain. Tactical analysis […]
On their return to the Champions League, Fenerbahçe missed the chances that could have made for a perfect story, before eventually settling for a draw against AS Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side offered little tactical inspiration. Tactical analysis and match report by André Martins. It was a duel between two returnees. Fenerbahçe were back in the […]
Italian debutants Como 1907 announced themselves on Europe’s grandest stage in unforgettable fashion, crushing RB Leipzig 4-1 at a packed and ecstatic Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Cesc Fàbregas’ side delivered a masterclass in quick combinations, direct transitions and structural dominance, racing into a two-goal first-half lead through Martin Baturina and Anastasios Douvikas. Assane Diao added a […]
Mancity’s game plan was to control Porto was clear. They wanted to be aggressive with and without the ball. Although, Mancity’s aim was to take the game to their opponents, Porto failed to initiate any threat to Maresca’s men after they thoroughly failed to execute in certain moments. The difference in the game proved to […]
Matchday one offers Champions League spectators the chance to reevaluate their perspectives about clubs across the continent. But most will have learned little new about both teams from this fixture. Italy’s cream of the crop have it all to prove in this tournament, while Arsenal are one of the best outfits in Europe— and their […]
For the second season in a row, Diego Simeone came out with a defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Transitions and high turnovers were Andoni Iraola’s side’s main weapons to threaten Atlético Madrid. On the other side, Simeone’s team found solutions to loosen Liverpool’s high press via manipulation, wide and central overloads, and runs in behind. […]
José Mourinho’s Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign against an Inter side that enjoyed greater possession and midfield control. Madrid’s compact structure closed the central spaces before using selective pressing triggers and quick transitions to exploit weaknesses in Inter’s build-up, producing two early goals. Inter responded through wide overloads and sustained pressure, while Madrid […]
After several rounds and spending almost the entire year at the top of the Brasileirão, Palmeiras finally paid the price for their negative run of results and performances by drawing with Botafogo, who are also going through a difficult spell, on Matchday 26. In a very physical match, it was possible to see the weaknesses […]
River’s persistence paid off to seal the win against Rivadavia. After a hard fought end to end first half, River’s advantage helped them to sustain pressure in the second half. This gave them the room to score the third goal, however, Rivadavia’s poor defending gave room for River’s players to enjoy a bit too much […]
Chelsea took an early lead through Morgan Rogers and looked to keep the tempo high at the Emirates Stadium. However, Arsenal were able to expose weaknesses in Chelsea’s defensive line with their right-sided attacks, before Ødegaard sealed the deal in the second half, giving Arsenal a 2-1 win. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley. […]