An Ideological Impasse
Last four of EURO 2020, finalists at the 2021 Nations League, another Nations League semifinal beckons in the summer of next year. Luis Enrique has revitalized Spain as a beacon of stability. Yet, in ...
AS Monaco – Olympique Marseille: Super Subs Salvage Supremacy For Marseille (2-3)
Marseille have shown themselves to be entertainers under Igor Tudor. It turned out to be the case again in a five goal affair where momentum shifts eventually went in their favor. Tactical analysis an...
Manchester City – Chelsea: Second String Elevens Sustain The Present Momentum (2-0)
Second string or not, Manchester City would have been the club Chelsea wished to avoid most. Indeed, they bowed out of the cup at the final whistle, but their showing offered hopeful signals. Tactical...
Lorient – Paris Saint-Germain: Pereira Powers The Parisians To Victory (1-2)
Are Lorient legit? This question has hung over a team whose results are conforming to type. More dropped points in this clash did no good for the form table, but their performance preyed upon Parisian...
Real Sociedad – Manchester United: Basques Bask In Group Stage Triumph (0-1)
The task was plain for Manchester United: win by two a goal margin or accept second position. Erik ten Hag set his sights high, taking risks to achieve this target, but his outfit came up short. Tacti...
AC Milan – Red Bull Salzburg: Genial Giroud Constructs The Mirage Of Cruise Control (4-0)
Only a few loose ends remained ahead of the final round of group stage fixtures. Group E was one of those, pitting together two contestants vying to end up best of the rest and reach the knockout stag...
Borussia Dortmund – Manchester City: A Stalemate Of Convenience (0-0)
Borussia Dortmund have routinely found a way to shackle their visitors, yet always ended up empty handed. This game followed past patterns but busted the hoodoo to satisfy both camps. Tactical analysi...
Barcelona – Villarreal: Xavi Hits The Reset Button (3-0)
The pressure has not ceased for Xavi, but at least he got some respite. His men made light work of a tricky task to set the preparatory tone for what will be a crucial fixture in their campaign. Tacti...
Paris Saint-Germain – Olympique Marseille: Le Classique Launches PSG’s Next Step? (1-0)
Pride was on the line: the league champions made their bow in front of the home crowd in one of France's fiercest rivalries. Such pressure did not deter Christopher Galtier from plunging into an exper...
Barcelona – Internazionale: The Blaugrana Are Back On The Brink Of Their Death Knell (3-3)
The ‘Group of Death’ reunited two giants of the European game in a contest whose second half was one for the ages. An exhibition with six goals aligned with Xavi’s risks that befitted the big stage, b...