Failing to seize the initiative in mid-week, Barcelona came into this game looking to get back to winning ways. A lack of final third incision in the first half and a well-worked set-piece in the second put the team on course to drop points again. But the star names showed their worth once more, coming […]
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 […]
After the first twenty-five minutes, it seemed as if Real Madrid would saunter to another three points. But some dubious defending in their 4-4-2 shape and similarly controversial officiating resulted in a remarkable goalscoring feat from the spot and a resounding final score. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Valencia entered the new season […]
It is difficult to give a coach or a team credit after losing 6-0, especially in a cup final. However, against this extremely dominant Manchester City team, any kind of new ideas on how to defend are significant. Javi Gracia, who proved himself as one of the most successful coaches of the season by overachieving […]
It was tight, it was fierce, and chances were scarce. As expected, Watford – Wolves turned into a tense affair with heated tussles in a match that was much more down to moments, as opposed to what came of sustained periods of pressure. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter M. The battle for the […]
A goalkeeping blunder, a Troy Deeney elbow and a whole host of system changes. All of this made for quite the matchup when Champions League hopefuls, Arsenal, were pitted against Europa League hopefuls, Watford. Both managers chopped and changed their team’s outlook, for better and for worse, but it was the visitors who held out […]
Everton took a controversial early lead, before Watford battled fiercely to turn this game on its head. A late equalizer by the home side put the cap on a thoroughly enjoyable Premier League match, during which both teams were able to show what they are made of. Tactical analysis and match report by Martyn Davis. […]
Manchester City were dominant as ever, but it took until just before half-time for them to open up the scoring. Riyad Mahrez netted just after the break to make it 2-0. At this point it seemed like a routine win for City, but a late Abdoulaye Doucouré goal made for an uncomfortable ending for Pep […]