Having had the upper hand in the chase for the final qualifying spot, Italy would have forced Ukraine to crack the catenaccio in the past. Their approach to this clash was not reliant on a rugged rearguard, but a third clean sheet of the calendar year arrived in a timely manner. Tactical analysis and match […]

Roberto Martinez and his inspired Portugal side will enter next year’s Euro 2024 on the back of ten straight wins and a picture-perfect record in the qualifiers. Their last game of this calendar year concluded with a straightforward victory over an uninspired Iceland side, who seemed devoid of ideas. Tactical analysis and match report by Rahul […]

The final fixture for the group phase of the EURO qualifiers on home soil could have driven Italy to the same old sinking feeling of the last few years. But the optimism that comes with a new leader has not yet worn away, putting the nation in pole position to decide their destiny. Tactical analysis […]

Both sides looked to impose themselves here with an aggressive pressing game. Italy were able to make the first breakthrough with an early goal, but England’s talented attackers were what ultimately decided the game, with Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, and Harry Kane all showing their quality. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley. We decided […]

The two favorites in Group A to qualify for the EUROs have suffered scares on their way to book a place at next year’s tournament. Thanks to the Scots, this clash could determine whose woes in this campaign would be costly and force a fancied nation along the longer route into the competition. The ones […]

The two favorites in Group B of the Euro 2024 qualifiers faced off in a key match past the midway stage of their campaign. The Netherlands had to win to be sure of holding on to second place in the group, but France had other ideas as they took the chance to seal their spot […]

Spain shouldered on in this campaign with their faith in a robust record for qualifiers on home turf. However, their guests have got into the habit of throwing favorites out of rhythm and were in no mood to roll over. Indeed, the fairytale could have continued, but the hinges of a sliding doors moment went […]

Luciano Spalletti has opened his Italy account with a solid victory against Ukraine. The hosts looked in complete control in the first half, and even though Ukraine halved the deficit, they managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle, which is a marked improvement from their previous game against North Macedonia. Tactical analysis and […]

Ireland needed to win against the Netherlands to be in with a hope of qualifying for the Euros next summer. They came out with an aggressive press that unsettled the Dutch side, but were too slow to adapt to Ronald Koeman’s changes in the second half.  Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland. In […]

England had the majority of the ball in this match but struggled to create chances as Ukraine’s compact 4-4-2 system managed to hold them to a draw. Gareth Southgate’s flexible 4-3-3 shape showed some reasonable team tactical ideas, but slight structural issues and a lack of cutting edge cost England the points. Tactical analysis and […]