Barcelona came into this game looking to gain revenge for losing in the Supercup two weeks ago. And while the attack in the final third did not match their clever buildup shape, they were able to look to the star studded names on the team sheet to make the crucial difference. Tactical analysis and match […]
Coming into this fixture on a strong run of form, Ronald Koeman would have hoped his outfit could dispatch strugglers Elche. However, Barcelona found their hosts’ 4-5-1 defensive shape tough to crack, relying on a late goal from the prodigal son of the squad to seal the three points. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
Ronald Koeman bit the bullet on the 4-2-3-1 shape, sending out his team with the aim to blow away Valencia with flair in the final third. Yet, the switch failed with a mix of offensive sterility and issues controlling transition exposing how problems lie much deeper than the formation. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. After […]
Strikes from Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong proved sufficient for Barcelona to beat Sociedad, but what truly impressed was the dominant nature of this win. Better spacing on the pitch and dynamic ball movement demonstrated what Ronald Koeman’s side can do, as they stacked up the shot count though without the required clinical edge. […]
For what had appeared to be a rather limited strategy for ball progression from Ronald Koeman soon turned into an irrepressible one. Once Manuel Pellegrini’s side felt forced to switch their pressing scope from the Dutch magician, Frenkie de Jong, on Pedri instead, they then found themselves in deep waters, trying to steady a forever-sinking […]
What initially appeared like simple technical mistakes turned into a worrying trend that slowly sucked Juventus out of the game, into Barcelona’s grasp. A stale offense could not threaten Neto’s goal, while, repeatedly, a chaotic defense was effortlessly pulled out by the visitors, who only have themselves to blame for not scoring more. Tactical analysis […]
An exciting first half featuring goals and attacking flair gave way to a slower second period which suited Real Madrid perfectly. After Ansu Fati cancelled out Federico Valverde’s opener, it was Barcelona who looked the sharper of the two sides. However, a resurgence of the defensive solidity that brought Real Madrid their title saw them […]
Bayern’s midfield overloads proved unsettling for Diego Simeone’s side, as they surrendered a little too much. But, ultimately, each side’s finishing qualities proved to be the deciding factor; while Atléti’s inability to score showed itself as tame and tepid, Bayern racking them up was sparkling and sensational. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. In […]
Ronald Koeman’s impatience pegged Barça back more than anything, as the successful tweaks applied in-game were tweaked once again but this time prematurely. Contrastingly, José Bordalás’ regimented approach consistently made the most out of every man-to-man duel. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. The away side, in all of Getafe’s first four games this […]
Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla put on a mighty fine display at Camp Nou to avoid defeat, and also lay down a marker for their ambitions of the title as an outsider. Two early goals were followed by an otherwise goalless encounter, yet it was hard not to become engrossed in the away side’s fluency offensively and […]