In keeping with the intensely-fought stalemates of recent history, it was refreshing to see an emphasis on opposition-specific tactics rewarded with a deadlock-breaker. Were it not for half-time changes two very interesting attacking setups may well have continued to frustrate themselves rather than their opponent. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Since the […]
In their second LaLiga game under new coach Quique Setién, Barcelona once again dominated the ball but struggled to penetrate due to an inability to stretch their opponents through width and depth when in possession. Barcelona improved in the second half with midfield runners getting more involved in attack, but a Jordi Alba deflected own […]
Barcelona might have had the ease of possession but the same could not be said on the chance creation front. Granada stood up and were counted as their aggressive medium block defense aimed to strangle the home side’s interplay in Barcelona’s fresh-faced system. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Quite a lot has […]
Sevilla’s 4-5-1 defensive system created problems for Real Madrid’s attacking play. However, once Casemiro moved into a more advanced role, the hosts were able to create some opportunities that were good enough. The Brazilian’s brace rewarded Real Madrid with three valuable points, as their unbeaten record continues. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Real Madrid needed penalty kicks to decide a close game where both teams could not break down the opponent. In the first half, Atlético’s pressing game dominated, yet Real’s defense did not allow them to turn that control into shots. In the second half, substitutions caused the game to be played at a faster pace, […]
Barcelona dominated for seventy minutes, until, when nobody expected it, Diego Simeone made the decisive adjustments to change his team’s fate. Valverde could not react, as the defensive line was stretched for the final blow. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi. The last time these two teams met, Lionel Messi’s brilliance had bailed […]
Real started the game in dominant fashion and went ahead through a directly scored corner kick from Toni Kroos. Apart from a ten-minute period in the middle of the first half, Valencia barely set a foot into the opposing half. This tempted manager Albert Celades to switch the formation, which resulted in a more open, […]
The return of Spain’s top flight after the winter break saw a clash between two of the league’s in-form sides. Both teams had periods of good play and it was the visitors who managed to pull off the second half comeback in a tough away fixture. Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma. Real […]
Sevilla and Athletic Club played to a 1-1 draw at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Friday night, in a match that, for the hosts, was once again defined by a lack of offensive incision, despite enjoying dominance in possession. A second half own goal off the boot of Unai Núñez gifted the home side the […]
While the 3-0 scoreline suggests a routine win for Real Madrid on the surface, the reality was that Zinedine Zidane’s side had to battle for their win. Getafe’s pressing made it hard for Madrid to build up cleanly and their directness in attack forced Madrid back and created an abrasive, fragmented game. Madrid required saves […]