Champions League
Borussia Dortmund – Sevilla: Toothless But Stubborn Sevilla Fall To The Inevitable Haaland (2-2)
Improving significantly on their first leg performance, Sevilla managed to push Dortmund back and counterpress successfully to prevent their deadly counterattacks. However, all it takes is
Atalanta Bergamo – Real Madrid: Mendy’s Right Foot Saves Stale Real Madrid Offense (0-1)
Throughout the 2020/21 season, Real Madrid’s performances have followed the same tactical storyline: they struggle against deep blocks while thriving against opponents who press them high.
Borussia Mönchengladbach – Manchester City: Guardiola’s Side In Total Control (0-2)
Manchester City continued their recent form by showing dominance of possession and territory against Gladbach. The German side had a decent defensive idea and tried to
Atlético Madrid – Chelsea: Simeone’s 6-3-1 Formation Backfires (0-1)
Diego Simeone’s vintage defense-first mentality dictated the tempo and tactical pattern of this match. In a game where chances were rare and the game state only
Sevilla – Borussia Dortmund: Dortmund Torch Sevilla (2-3)
Based on the form book, Borussia Dortmund’s prospects could not have been bleaker. Yet, despite going down early, their rampant intensity on the break against a
FC Porto – Juventus: Porto Bullish In Upset Win (2-1)
A fervent 4-4-2 medium block, replete with well-timed pressing and counterpressing sequences helped Porto dictate play out of possession. The home side earned a much deserved
RasenBallsport Leipzig – Liverpool: Leipzig Errors Hand Crucial Away Goals Advantage To Liverpool (0-2)
The overarching storyline involving Julian Nagelsmann and Jürgen Klopp aside, this was a game made for the tactically-minded football fan. While goals from Mohamed Salah and
Barcelona – Paris Saint-Germain: Majestic Mbappé Tears Apart Barcelona (1-4)
Barcelona took the lead through a Lionel Messi penalty, but were punished for an unstable man-oriented defensive scheme, with the first two goals conceded through wide
Real Madrid – Borussia Mönchengladbach: Benzema Delivers The Goods As Zidane’s Men Stave Off Disaster (2-0)
The pressure was at a historic high for Real Madrid, but in turn, they put the pressure on their visitors early. Borussia Mönchengladbach were thus prohibited
Ajax – Atalanta Bergamo: Powerless Ajax Crash Out Of Champions League Against Disciplined Atalanta (0-1)
With a ticket for post-winter Champions League football on the line, Atalanta set up smartly in a 5-3-2 / 5-2-1-2 shape that frustrated Ajax for the