On a seminal matchday for the title race, first place duked it out with third for residence at the summit of the table. Barcelona’s 3-4-2-1 shape looked to take the game to Atlético’s 5-4-1 block but carried too little punch, leading to a result that throws up more questions than answers. Tactical analysis and match […]
Failing to seize the initiative in mid-week, Barcelona came into this game looking to get back to winning ways. A lack of final third incision in the first half and a well-worked set-piece in the second put the team on course to drop points again. But the star names showed their worth once more, coming […]
Barcelona came into this game looking to punish their rivals for dropping points the night before. But the contest was far from plain sailing. Facing a high 4-4-2 press from the home team, their issues in the buildup phase and a shock setback set the tone for a tight duel where a superstar had to […]
Real Madrid came into this game hungry for the three points, but even that seemed insufficient to satiate the home team. Drained of energy, their 4-3-2-1 press looked jaded from the off while their attacking enterprises struggled to put up a sustained threat. Alterations from the sideline hoped to turn the tide, but an all […]
Coming into this final off the back of a defeat to their rivals, Barcelona hoped to make up for the wrongs of last week. They did not disappoint. At the heart of it all, a fresh-faced magician inspired his teammates to deliver a clinic worthy of his younger look, rolling back the years with a […]
As the giants of Spanish football locked horns once more, the world of football came to a halt. Pitting the two challengers to Atlético Madrid’s title bid against each other, this was set to be the most enthralling El Clásico in years. And living up to its billing, the two teams offered up an action-packed […]
Winning twelve and drawing one of their last thirteen games in the league, Barcelona’s form left this matchup poised to go only one way. But Real Valladolid had other ideas. Switching to a 5-2-1-2 shape, they made life tough for the home team’s rampant offense, holding out against a wave of attacks to take the […]
The long-awaited cup final between two Basque rivals promised to be an even duel on paper, and so it proved. Real Sociedad’s playful 4-3-3 system shone through in terms of control of the ball but had to rely on a world-class play to pull away from a rugged Athletic Club outfit. Tactical analysis and match […]
Barcelona’s visit to Real Sociedad ought to have been a test of the away team’s title credentials. But this proved to be far from the case. Showcasing a fluid 3-1-3-3 system on the ball, Ronald Koeman’s men made sure this matchup was a one-sided affair, pulling clear in the second half. Tactical analysis and match […]
Given their off form, a derby day matchup against a competitive Real Betis outfit was one of the last things Sevilla would have wanted. But despite their usual tactical issues, a mixture of individual decisiveness and collective grit saw them take a much-needed three points. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Sevilla’s season […]