Manchester United’s clash with Villarreal had handed the home team a chance of gaining revenge for inflicting heartache at the end of last season. But sinking at the hands of the superior organization of the Yellow Submarine for a second time, a dramatic finale could only partly hide the faults of a display that generated […]
Expectations were not high for Juventus heading into this group stage encounter with defending champions Chelsea, but there was always the possibility of an upset given the talent level of the Italians. Sure enough, sluggish play from Chelsea gave Juventus a glimmer of hope in the first half, before the Old Lady took the lead […]
Manchester City’s display followed a familiar script. Compact high pressing, overloads from the left, and territorial dominance defined much of this contest. But PSG’s quality at both ends of the pitch was decisive, setting the stage for a vintage goal from the biggest star of all. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. PSG […]
Inter Milan dominated this UEFA Champions League game, but a mix of some poor finishing and bad luck meant that Real Madrid were able to snatch a 1-0 win, courtesy Rodrygo’s 89th minute goal. Tactical analysis and match report by Harshal Patel. It has been all change at Internazionale this season, with Achraf Hakimi and […]
Pep Guardiola’s pleas for support from the fans stole the headlines after this game, but the manic action on the pitch offered the best sales pitch on the night. RB Leipzig’s approach may have helped them preserve a foothold in the match, but it also set the tone for a goal fest in which Manchester […]
The reignition of a Champions League classic would grace Anfield’s first packed European crowd in 18 months, and the game lived up to the billing. A swift Liverpool start, rapturous home support, and five goal haul delivered a spectacle in which the hosts dominated but dug deep to secure the three points on the night. […]
Neither Villarreal nor Atalanta had met before in their history, but those viewing events at El Madrigal will hope these two will continue such affairs for years to come. Unai Emery’s counterpressing locked horns against the wide rotations of Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, in a feisty tactical faceoff that makes the group stages worthwhile. […]
At times in the first half, it looked like Bayern were intentionally keeping the game slow as they waited for Barcelona to react. Instead, they found an opponent uninterested in attacking and ineffective in defending, as Ronald Koeman’s side crumbled in view of the manager’s misguided conservatism. Tactical analysis and match report by Manasvin Andra. […]
Knockout football can be brutal; something that is now also know to any AS Monaco supporter. They threatened on transitions, controlled vast amounts of the match and outshot their opponents by 18 shots. But Shakhtar Donetsk held on and advance to the Champions League by virtue of one of the cruelest of own goals. Tactical […]
Benfica took the first leg of this tight Champions League qualifier tie. Early in the game, they bypassed the PSV press and scored. Afterwards, Benfica stepped back and remained compact while PSV struggled to break down their defensive block and create good chances. Benfica clinched another goal via a corner kick while PSV finally got […]