Manchester City, facing the threat of a shocking elimination from the Champions League, delivered when it mattered most on a crucial night. However, their victory did not come without its scares. Club Brugge showcased impressive defensive resilience in the first half, but Pep Guardiola’s tactical adjustments ultimately proved effective in the second, as three goals […]

Amongst the many major scalps that Gian Piero Gasperini has collected, during his European away trips with Atalanta Bergamo, not many have come from Spain. They were keen to change that and their off-ball plans did come to fruition, but both teams had effective routes down the channels that made this game very competitive. Tactical […]

Manchester City surrendered a two-goal difference at Parc des Princes, exacerbating their situation in the UEFA Champions League. Luis Enrique’s men rose from the ashes to turn the table ahead, banking four goals to put the cherry on the cake after an outstanding display on a rainy night in Paris. Tactical analysis and match report […]

A decade ago, Atlético Madrid mastered the dark arts and embraced the discipline of defending to thwart the aristocracy. Though times have changed, the team still holds onto parts of that identity. As the German guests gained the high ground, Diego Simeone saw his men maneuver with wit and resilience to set up a grandstand finish […]

Guardiola’s side had the ball, as almost always, but showed a fragile mentality like never before. At the same time, Juventus struck gold at home. Two sides of the same coin. Whilst Thiago Motta’s Juventus secured a Champions League victory after three matches, Pep’s side continues to sink. Both teams had contrasting approaches, but one […]

Adversity always brings out the best from Real Madrid. Backed into a corner and at risk of failing to get out of the group stage, a critical clash awaited with one of the most in-form outfits in Europe. But the suffering in this see-saw affair awarded them the three points they desired. Tactical analysis and […]

Late finishes from Bayer Leverkusen are back in fashion, but maybe this was not as spectacular as some of their other last goals. Although they were able to connect through some short passing circuits, Leverkusen had been left frustrated with Internazionale who struggled to show attacking intentions. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]

Unai Emery is always at home in the company of villas. At Sevilla and Villarreal, he has defeated the Italian giants in Europe’s elite competition. Their trip to the Midlands could have completed the set, but he did not become the first man to beat Juventus with three different teams in the tournament. The quest […]

Arne Slot’s Liverpool side were relentless in creating opportunities on goal against Real Madrid at Anfield. Penalties were missed at both ends by Kylian Mbappe & Mo Salah, but Alexis Mac Allister’s goal & a header by substitute Cody Gakpo secured the win for the Reds despite heroics by Thibaut Courtois in the Real goal.  […]

The clean-sheet streak of Bayern Munich continued as Paris Saint-Germain was the eightieth team in a row to fail to put the ball inside the Bavarian net. Two pressing teams effortlessly tried to disrupt each other’s systems before Ousmane Dembélé was sent off. After the booking, the events went in one way: Vincent Kompany’s direction. […]