A Generation’s Last Chance
For the past decade, success has been an expectation for Belgium, as their greatest set of players assembled at the same time. Having suffered just one defeat in three years, Roberto Martínez must pro...
Chelsea – Manchester City: Why Pep’s Diamond Did Not Work (1-0)
Despite rolling out a ballsy 3-4-3 diamond formation without an actual defensive midfielder, Guardiola’s Manchester City creating next to nothing in the Champions League final. Chelsea defended like t...
Pep Versus Tuchel Part Three: Warming Up
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we dial back the tape ...
Pep Versus Tuchel Part Two: To React Or Not To React
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we play back the tape ...
Villarreal – Manchester United: Yellow Submarine Scupper Solskjær’s Ebening (1-1, 11-10 After Pens)
Yearning to mimic the glory days under an old star, Manchester United looked to break their four-year trophy drought with a win in this final. But Villarreal had other ideas. As a compact defensive bl...
Pep versus Tuchel part one: getting to know each other
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we play back the tape ...
Atalanta Bergamo – AC Milan: Resilient Defense Results in Milan’s Champions League Return (0-2)
On the final matchday, with the season in the balance, perhaps an away trip to Serie A’s top goal-scorers wouldn’t be a personal choice for Rossoneri fans. However, AC Milan’s 5-3-2 defensive block fr...
Leicester City – Tottenham Hotspur: Late Heartbreak For Leicester In Mediocre Game (2-4)
Leicester City arrived with arguably the stronger tactical display in a game where neither team played on an especially high level. However, the Foxes’ lack of chance creation outside of penalties cam...
Real Valladolid – Atlético Madrid: Classic Atléti Performance Seals LaLiga Crown (1-2)
Ninety minutes stood between Atlético Madrid and the league title. In classic Atlético style, the game took a rocky turn, as Valladolid’s deep defensive block took the sting out of their guests....
Werder Bremen – Borussia Mönchengladbach: Rampant Gladbach Sink Bremen to the Second Bundesliga (2-4)
After a first half of comfortable control, Borussia Mönchengladbach adjusted their forms of shot creation and blazed through a fragile Werder Bremen defense. This result has relegated Bremen for only ...