If pitting second against third is not enough, then this reignited managerial feud between two managers should do the trick. Quique Setién’s previous frustrations were – to his relief – laid to rest for now after seeing José Bordalás’s side off in almost convincing fashion. Some very astute  – but definitely needed – in-game tweaks […]

Although the visitors had to cling on until the break, Quique Setién’s Barça were consistently finding ways to manipulate Betis’ press. Not in the most conventional of ways, the source of their goals highlighted some of the problem areas Betis suffered from. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Three not-so-great away results preceding […]

Getafe’s encounter against Valencia was a crucial fixture for two sides harboring ambitions of playing Champions League football next season. However, what manifested was a domineering display from the hosts, whose superiority throughout the game was duly rewarded in the second half with three goals against lackluster opposition.  Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Under the […]

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, […]