The high flying Red Devils have made their way out of purgatory, but their progress has hit a snag in the road. Real Sociedad were more than a match for the hosts due to a mature buildup phase and a hybrid block, but it was fortune that favored their bravery to separate the sides. Tactical […]
In the first of three continental finals of the 2021/22 club football season in Europe, Eintracht Frankfurt took on Rangers in Seville to decide the fate of the Europa League trophy. Neither side had lifted a major continental trophy in over four decades, but that record changed for Frankfurt after a tense and tactical intriguing […]
The odds were stacked firmly against Rangers, who had a first-leg deficit to overturn in spite of their resilient performance in Germany. Whatsmore, they had to do so without an out-and-out striker on the pitch as Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe were both injured. Nonetheless, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men completed a turnaround that will certainly […]
West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a fun first leg in London, with the hosts’ tactical tweaks working fairly well but not reflecting on the scoreline. Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat. David Moyes’ buoyant West Ham had blown their bubbles all the way to a European semi-final, which meant that they […]
The second act to one of the most entertaining and tactically intriguing matchups in Europe this season saw RB Leipzig visit Bergamo, with the tie finely poised following a score draw in the first leg. Atalanta adopted a more attacking approach in this match, but they ended up playing to Leipzig’s strengths in the process. […]
Surviving the scare of a first leg stalemate, Barcelona expected to learn from the error of their ways and make an assault on a spot in the final four. However, their visitors have caught the bug for European football, putting on a display to stun the Spanish support into submission. Tactical analysis and match report […]
David Moyes had never progressed past the quarter-finals of European competition: but a brutal bashing of a disjointed Olympique Lyonnais has put West Ham United into a European semi-final for the first time in forty-six years. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. UEFA’s B competition has always been filled with intriguing match-ups, lo and […]
If there ever was a tie to define ‘Europa League heritage’, it was RB Leipzig versus Atalanta. Two incredibly exciting sides that play transition-heavy football were destined to create a memorable match for neutrals, and they certainly delivered both in terms of excitement and tactical intrigue. Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat. RB […]
Barcelona found things awkward against Eintracht Frankfurt thanks to the solid midfield pressing and transition game of the home side. Frankfurt created better chances and were rewarded early in the second half with a goal. Xavi responded with the introduction of Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembélé, who quickly repaid him with their involvement in […]
West Ham started the game with an attacking mindset, looking to cancel out the deficit from the first leg. With the help of suitable midfield roles in their possession game, they were able to do this in the first half through Tomáš Souček’s goal. There was no separating the teams in the second half, but […]