Matthias Jaissle’s Red Bull Salzburg attacked with a ferocity not often expected from teams facing Bayern Munich, and the reward for their bravery was a draw which could easily have been a win had it not been for the awareness of Kingsley Coman. While the scoreline may indicate Bayern Munich’s offensive struggles, it was the […]
Few tread the fine line between spectacular names and gaudy collectives more than PSG and Real Madrid. Indeed, a tense affair illustrated how stellar individuals only work so well in units that have multiple flaws. But on a night made for magic moments, it was fitting that the man central to a narrative tying the […]
The final act of the Champions League group stage would feature at Bergamo, the home of the divine. But, falling to a hefty deficit, Atalanta could not conjure up an otherworldly outcome as Villarreal’s crafty frontline stole the show in a thrilling five goal encounter. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Villarreal’s trip […]
At the beginning of the season, not even the biggest skeptic would have suggested that falling into the Europa League was within the range of potential outcomes that awaited Barcelona this side of the Lionel Messi era. Yet that is precisely the future that Xavi’s group now faces, as Bayern Munich picked up where they […]
In an epoch where the concepts of organization and systems are taking center stage more than ever before, PSG and Manchester City have presented contrasting attitudes to this notion. The Parisians may lay claim to the most feared front three on the planet, but the home team proved that such quality only goes so far […]
Riding the wave of a temporary manager for the best part of three years, Manchester United yearned for a turnaround off the back of Solskjær’s exit. But conforming to a habit of cutting corners, a new status for Michael Carrick in the dugout yielded little. An arduous showing on the pitch may have earned three […]
While known more for their extravagant spending, Chelsea are in fact built on a youth academy that is simply one of the best in Europe. While these products did not get to turn out for the first team till a fortuitous transfer window ban, two seasons were enough to demonstrate the kind of talent that […]
A two goal lead and a red card did not signal comfort for Liverpool in Spain, but with the backing of the Anfield crowd, this contest turned out to be one-sided. On a nigh-on perfect night for the hosts, they coasted into the Round of 16, leaving their guests in a heap of trouble. Tactical […]
On the holy ground of the Gewiss Stadium, the divinities graced this duel with their presence. Under the aegis of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta’s back five trumped that of their visitors, setting the side on their way to a win. But Manchester United have a demigod of their own, who bagged a clutch brace on […]
Manchester United came into this duel with Atalanta under rising scrutiny. Yet if they thought a mere victory would solve their issues, they could not be any more wrong. A heroic comeback may have turned the tables in Europe, but a poor showing leaves the outfit wallowing in limbo. Tactical analysis and match report by […]