A healthy dose of grit and passion made up for a lack of pure quality in this Basque derby. After scoring early through a quick counterattack, La Real contained their arch rival well, overcame some ultimately disappointing offensive moves and walked away with the win relatively easy. Tactical analysis and match report by Erik Elias. […]
Sevilla started the game well, combining composure with a neat adjustment to their 4-1-4-1 shape to control the opening stages of the game. But unable to improve their advantage, Athletic’s growing pressure and sloppy mistakes in buildup turned the game on its head. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Athletic Club entered this matchup on a […]
A fortuitous early goal for Athletic Club provided a false sense of security, which led to the home side retreating deeper into their defensive shape. After a savvy change of shape and deft use of substitutes, Sevilla were able to capitalize on their opponent’s complacency and snatch a much-needed victory away from home. Tactical analysis […]
Firmly league leaders, Real Madrid’s matchup with Athletic Club was billed as the biggest barrier to the visitors winning the domestic title. In a tight affair where both defenses stood firm, Sergio Ramos intervened from twelve yards to separate the two teams. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Athletic Club remain a stable outfit under the […]
Inconsistencies in Barça’s actions and a lacking intensity to their execution left them in a sorry state against a well-drilled Athletic side. However, persistent pressure paid off as the visitors could not escape the clutches of Quique Setién’s unrelenting men, who played off of their own wrongdoings to win the match. Tactical analysis and match […]
Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid present striking similarities both in appearance and in tactics. The Red and White home kits and the layout of the club crests reveal their common roots, and their physical presences and effective defensive blocks show a comparable tactical identity. Both team’s well-structured work off the ball kept the shot count […]
Sevilla and Athletic Club played to a 1-1 draw at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Friday night, in a match that, for the hosts, was once again defined by a lack of offensive incision, despite enjoying dominance in possession. A second half own goal off the boot of Unai Núñez gifted the home side the […]
In an old-school duel of two teams trading long passes, Atlético’s domination of second balls and their superior talent allowed them to create the better shots, which ultimately turned into goals. In the second half, Athletic were unable to change the game state through substitutions, conceding more spaces on the counter for Atlético to exploit. […]
In a Basque Derby between two opposing styles of play, Athletic forced a technical, possession-based Real Sociedad side into playing long balls, causing aerial duels and fighting over second balls, which is exactly the game Athletic wanted. Despite Real’s substitutions and tactical changes to adapt to this tactical context and become more direct, Athletic still […]
During the first half, Athletic’s defensive scheme easily stopped Barcelona’s rigid and disjointed possession game, reducing them to only two shots. In the second half, Rakitić’s entrance and the shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation improved Barcelona’s buildup, which allowed them to control the game. As the match looked set for a well-deserved draw, however, Aduriz […]