Awful league form and an early Champions League exit have raised the question whether José Mourinho is still an elite football manager. Public ramblings towards Tanguy Ndombélé, Eric Dier hurdling rows of seats to confront supporters and Mourinho’s eccentric comments on how the Leipzig bench could play in his first team have epitomized a club […]
The feeling of optimism permeated Olympique Lyonnais as the club prepared to embark on the 2019/20 season. Juninho’s return as sporting director, his handpicked managerial appointment, as well as record spending in the transfer market had supporters eager to watch their club venture into a new era. Eight months later, those sentiments have been long […]
Maurizio Sarri’s first nine months at Juventus have been troubled to say the least, with high expectations weighing on the manager’s mind since his first day in Turin, and consistent delays that have broken up his working rhythm. Even so, his side is still in contention to win every competition. How has Sarri gone about […]
The city of Bergamo is a very very grim place right now. Yet it is here, right at the heart of Italy’s horrendous Covid crisis, that one of this season’s most beautiful stories played out as local small-town football club Atalanta rose to the peak of their powers and looked to join Serie A’s elite. […]
The battle between Juventus and Inter is catching most of the attention, but this historical Serie A season is getting shaped by a surprise architect. With 26 games played – and the Serie A now suspended at least until April 3rd – Lazio sit on 62 points, only one behind league leaders Juventus. Prior to […]
Barcelona once again struggled with threatening from width and depth in possession, meanwhile Madrid’s possession game was very loosely structured. Both teams were also relatively disorganized in pressing. These aspects made for a relatively chaotic and tactically low-standard game, especially in the second half, where Madrid eventually came out on top through goals from Vinícius […]
Arsenal attacked Olympiakos non-stop but were held back by a flat shape that did not allow any kind of threat to be generated other than through individual actions. The visitors did not even need to struggle to produce their chances, as Arteta’s team kept them in the game for far too long. Tactical analysis and […]
A conservative City was easily neutralized by a solid Real Madrid team in an encounter that saw both sides spar out until the home side’s fortunate goal triggered Guardiola’s reaction. With all guns out, Real Madrid were no match for City, slowly crumbling as the visitors rose to the top of the Bernabéu. Tactical analysis […]
Bayern Munich’s flexible buildup with Joshua Kimmich and Thiago at the heart of things helped them to gain control of the game against Chelsea’s 5-2-3 pressing. The movement of the likes of Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry behind Chelsea’s midfield line proved hard for the home side to control. Bayern finally went ahead early in […]
Club football has entered its decisive phase, with lots to play for in every competition. With just two games left to play in the first knockout round, let’s focus on Wednesday’s ties of the most important tournament in club football: the Champions League. Article by Sander IJtsma, José Pérez, K.T. Stockwell and Kareem Bianchi. Real Madrid […]