Atlético Madrid started the match off slowly, going down to a Raul De Tomás goal late in the first half. Diego Simeone’s half-time substitutions would end up making the difference in the match, as they opened up this Espanyol side and were able to play through their tight defensive structure that had repelled Atlético Madrid […]
Two of LaLiga’s Champions League representatives, in contrasting runs of form, faced off in Madrid. Atlético were rarely tested at the back as Villarreal failed to progress despite seeing plenty of the ball. Villarreal’s backline were unable to say the same as they were made to work from the get-go by the hosts who excelled […]
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. But the away side held their nerve, turning around the game’s dynamic to wrap up domestic glory. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
While their rivals fell before them, Atlético Madrid hoped to put one hand on the LaLiga crown with a win in this duel. Amid the carousel at the top of the table, the hosts blocked out the chaos, and put in a solid display to shut down Real Sociedad. Working from a flexible 4-3-3 shape, […]
On a seminal matchday for the title race, first place duked it out with third for residence at the summit of the table. Barcelona’s 3-4-2-1 shape looked to take the game to Atlético’s 5-4-1 block but carried too little punch, leading to a result that throws up more questions than answers. Tactical analysis and match […]
For sixty-five minutes, Atlético Madrid controlled both the events of the Madrid derby and had a firm grip in the title’s course, as Diego Simeone’s team displayed defensive dominance and exposed their opponents’ transitional problems. Then Real Madrid got a hold of the reigns, to grab a point from Atléti’s grasp. The race for the […]
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 changed once, fans of football tactics still had enough to look out for. Eventually it took a little bit of Olivier Giroud magic to break the deadlock, meaning Atléti […]
In their almost identical three-at-the-back shapes, the onus was on Atlético to breach a stubborn Granada as the hosts ceded ball control. There was promise in their possession, especially with Koke in full control, but It would be second-half positional changes which would prompt the difference in the final third. Simeone’s men found the edge […]
Aiming to extend their lead at the summit of the table, Atlético Madrid faltered to Eibar’s 4-3-3 pressing shape. While their star of the future started on the sidelines, a talisman of the past bagged a brace to provide the difference between the two sides. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. In spite […]
Going into this match, Getafe had not scored a goal against Atlético Madrid since 2011. The impressive streak remained intact, as the malleability of Diego Simeone’s 3-5-2 formation resulted in another clean sheet – right in the face of an increasingly dispirited Getafe side. Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell. There was much […]