Atlético Madrid secured their first win of the campaign against a strong Villarreal side. Both teams pressed high up, with Atlético using zonal overloads to turn the ball over and initiate attacks, while Villarreal enjoyed periods of sustained possession and pressed man-to-man when they got the chance to pin the hosts back in wide areas. […]
Real Madrid edged past Real Sociedad in a game in which refereeing controversies were the main theme. Kylian Mbappé maintained the savior status, banking his fourth goal in La Liga and assisting Arda Güler’s. After Dean Huijsen’s red card, Real Madrid retreated to defend their lead, securing a tough three points in the Reale Arena. […]
Atlético Madrid have made their worst start to a league campaign since 2009/10. With only two points from their first three matches, Simeone’s side already face an uphill battle in the LaLiga title race. Against Deportivo Alavés, the same attacking problems resurfaced, as a compact defensive block once again left Atlético short of solutions. Tactical […]
Athletic Club emerged victorious from Seville to maintain their unbeaten start in La Liga. This was the story of two sides that soaked up possession and pounced to launch quick offensive transitions, followed by a high press to sustain the pressure. Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh. It was Pellegrini against Valverde, the longest-serving […]
Three overturned goals and two others at the back of the net saw Real Madrid claim their third La Liga win in a row under Xabi Alonso’s management. Los Blancos’ transitional firepower prevailed; however, the defensive performance raised question marks that Alonso has to address during the international break. Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf […]
Real Madrid opened their second league fixture of the season with a convincing 3–0 away win at Real Oviedo, but the scoreline tells only half the story. For seventy-five minutes, the newly promoted hosts frustrated Xabi Alonso’s side, just as Osasuna had done a few days earlier. Yet one key aspect of Alonso’s philosophy is […]
Levante’s defensive compactness and transitional capability made Barcelona’s jaw drop. Neither the Catalans’ firepower enabled them to come close, nor did the offside trap eliminate the threat of conceding. Nonetheless, Hansi Flick’s men revived in the second part of the game, turning the tables ahead. Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri. Barcelona inaugurated their […]
On a sweltering evening at the Mestalla, the 2025/26 La Liga opener ended in a draw, with both sides using inverted wingers in contrasting tactical setups. Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh. Valencia and Real Sociedad kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with renewed optimism, after their respective twelfth- and eleventh-place finishes last […]
Barcelona inaugurated the title defense campaign with a win and a clean sheet away from Catalonia. The referee took all the spotlight after sending off two of Mallorca’s players and making controversial decisions. Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri. In July 2024, Hansi Flick started his mission to replace Xavi Hernandez in the dugout. […]
After a closely fought first half, Atlético Madrid overpowered Girona in the final thirty minutes of play to finish the season on a high. Diego Simeone’s five substitutes moved Los Rojiblancos up another gear as they continued their high-pressing with added intensity, which allowed them to turn the ball over and create numerous chances to […]