The Champions League third round qualifiers have not often been kind to French teams, and OGC Nice would be the latest to run the gauntlet as they hosted SL Benfica. What looked like a balanced game on paper turned out to be anything but the case, as As Aguias overwhelmed Les Aiglons to take a […]
Chelsea turned on the afterburners in the second half of extra time to score three goals to beat Benfica & qualify for the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. A second half free-kick from Reece James gave the Blues the lead but Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot for Benfica after the game […]
In the penultimate group stage match that was set to decide the table topper, Benfica took the lead against the odds. Bayern Munich were flat in the first half, but despite a rejuvenated performance in the second, there were plenty of opportunities to equalize. However, the frontline misfired and had to settle for the runner-up […]
Barcelona briefly pressed pause on their season to pay respects to a well-respected member of their backroom staff. But the action at the front and center of people’s attention is still as lively as ever. With more grace and decorum than in the last two clashes of the teams, the Catalans dispatched their Iberian neighbors […]
Few matchups in this season’s Champions League have delivered entertainment quite like Barcelona versus Benfica. The league phase clash between these two sides was a thrilling, end-to-end spectacle, and as they met again in the knockout rounds, expectations were high for another captivating contest. Benfica, a team that has embraced chaos in Europe this season, […]
The day was out of Liverpool’s hands, but Wolves’ combative approach threw early problems their way. An uphill battle with an opening insight: although they got the control they needed, the clouds drew over the shine of Premier League silverware. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The greatest of domestic prizes, culminating on the […]
Leeds brought a high tempo approach to the game, and their pressing made Wolves uncomfortable in the early stages. A couple of forced substitutions and a goal for Wolves helped the home side gain more stability midway through the half, and they eventually went in 2-0 up. Things spiralled out of control for them in […]
Ralf Rangnick faced his toughest challenge yet as manager of Manchester United when he had to make do with a depleted squad against Bruno Lage’s impressive Wolves, who were just six points behind their hosts heading into the match. The German’s 4-2-2-2 system was set to be sternly tested by a disciplined side, which United […]
Slipping away from the summit, Chelsea’s pursuit of the league title led them to a tricky test at the Molineux. A back five, deep block, and drilled pack of wolves returned Thomas Tuchel to where his tenure began but eleven months at the helm could not avert another stalemate. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
Frankfurt were able to dominate the first half of the game, chasing a 4-2 aggregate deficit. In the second half, Benfica came out stronger, and found more success against Frankfurt’s pressing, which had pinned them back in the first half. Nevertheless, Frankfurt’s direct attack helped them to a second goal, and they were able to […]