Real Madrid truly flexed their talent muscles in El Clásico, proving once again that they are the kings of Spain. In what was a twist from their common style of play, Real Madrid played with incredible patience in the buildup phase, trying to draw Barcelona into pressing them before unleashing laser-like passes to easily break […]
The ‘Group of Death’ reunited two giants of the European game in a contest whose second half was one for the ages. An exhibition with six goals aligned with Xavi’s risks that befitted the big stage, but even his staunchest backers could struggle to bear the consequences of the outcome. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Barcelona dominated possession here but struggled to get through Inter’s compact 5-3-2 shape, finding themselves with a lot of u-shaped circulation. Hakan Çalhanoğlu netted from range at the end of the first half, which left Barcelona chasing the game against a defensive scheme that they ultimately did not have the answers to. Tactical analysis and […]
Barcelona’s high pressing earned them the right to play most of the game in Bayern’s side of the pitch in the first half. However, two quick Bayern goals after half-time changed the momentum and the home side were able to win 2-0 with a fairly comfortable second half. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh […]
Once worthy of an even joust with their guests, Sevilla have now plummeted. The peak of Julen Lopetegui’s reign is a distant memory. His men took the fight to their opponents on home turf but had fallen apart by the final whistle. Is this loss only accelerating an inevitable departure? Tactical analysis and match report […]
Xavi’s 3-4-3 experiment to replace a suspended Sergio Busquets presented several problems in pressing and possession. None mattered in the face of talents like Raphinha and a transcendent Ansu Fati, who came in the second half and decided the game within fifteen minutes. Tactical analysis and match report by José Pérez. LaLiga is back; with […]
Despite four of Barcelona’s summer signings making appearances against Rayo Vallecano, Xavi’s side could only take a single point from the match after a defensive masterclass from Andoni Iraola’s men. The play from Barcelona was promising, but the Catalans could not find the back of the net from their abundance of chances. Tactical analysis and […]
Though Barcelona controlled much of the match, Unai Emery’s Villarreal were lethal on the counterattack, making Barcelona pay for throwing numbers forward in attack. Goals from Alfonso Pedraza and Moi Gómez were more than enough to get Villarreal across the line, though Barcelona’s lack of urgency (and motivation) late in the match played a heavy […]
Barcelona’s tactical setup gave them advantages over Betis in this match, however it took them some time to finally make it count. Before that could happen, Xavi’s side also had to deal with a few dangerous Betis attacks, particularly in transition. In the end it was Jordi Alba who won the game for Barcelona late […]
Real Sociedad posed a challenge to Barcelona with a high tempo start to the match, although the away side went ahead and were able to gain some control over the game thanks to their structural adaptations. Sociedad came on strong again in the second half and forced Barcelona to defend deep, but Xavi’s side were […]