In a match where both sides played aggressively throughout, it took two (incredibly fortunate) goals from Iñaki Williams to separate the teams. It was a battle of two high pressing defensive units; the duels in midfield were especially intense, to the point where players were hardly afforded the time to take a second touch. Tactical […]
Late mistakes from Xavi and his players nearly cost Barcelona the three points at San Mamés, though their embarrassments were spared by a favorable VAR call and some last ditch defending and goalkeeping. Though Athletic Club were the better side for the majority of the match, bright moments for Barcelona, and an excellent goal from […]
Goals were never going to flow freely in this match between two sides that have struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks. Athletic Club started off the better side, stumping Atlético Madrid early on with their structured defensive setup. However, Simeone found his way around Valverde’s schemes and gave his side […]
It was a game of phases, with both sides taking control and putting their opponents on the backfoot. In the end, Real Madrid took their chances whilst Athletic Club once again lacked the clinicality to compete with the best in LaLiga. Tactical analysis and match report by Charlie Tuley Since starting off the 2022/2023 campaign […]
The thirteenth round of fixtures of the La Liga season kicked off with a visit to Girona for the high-flying Athletic Club, who had the chance to climb all the way up to third temporarily. It was the hosts who came away with all three points on the back of a strong performance to end […]
Once again, Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid failed to show any signs of life in a LaLiga match this season, with the side looking aimless and without direction. They lacked the organization necessary to beat Athletic Club’s press, and were not able to handle how Marcelino’s players spaced themselves when Athletic Club was on the ball. […]
This was a fairly even match between two sides in the hunt for European football next season. Real Betis showed the defensive solidity and organization that they have lacked for much of the season, and this helped them maintain their single goal lead over Athletic Club even after going down a man late on in […]
Ahead of kickoff, Barcelona’s revival under the management of Xavi was on the verge of a crucial marker. Threatening to break into the Champions League berths, more of the same was in order. And his men emphatically delivered. A dominant display, and an inspired showing off the bench, gave way to a rampant scoreline that […]
Only two weeks after the sides met in the Spanish Supercopa final in Saudi Arabia, Athletic Club and Real Madrid clashed once again in a domestic cup competition. Athletic Club would emerge victorious this time, avenging their defeat in the Supercopa, and moving on to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Tactical analysis and […]
In what was a tense and physical Basque Derby, it would be set pieces that would allow the sides to share the points. A second half penalty from Alexander Isak would open the scoring for La Real, though a late free kick from Iker Muniain (with some help from a howler by Álex Remiro) would […]