Real Madrid secured their passage to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory (3-1 on aggregate) over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 25, 2026. While the scoreline suggests a standard Madrid victory, the match was a grueling tactical battle defined by Benfica’s aggressive pressing and Madrid’s reliance on individual brilliance in transition. […]
Real Madrid opened the scoring in their playoff clash for a spot in the Champions League round of 16. A brilliant strike from Vinícius Júnior early in the second half gave Arbeloa’s team the advantage over Benfica, with the tie set to be decided next Wednesday at the Bernabéu. The game was paused for over […]
Juventus and Benfica faced each other in Champions League round 7 and a historic taboo was broken. The Italian side continue a strong run as they recover form and beat the Portuguese team at home, while Benfica struggle in the standings, in a clash of identities between two different footballing schools represented by two important […]
On what was a poignant & reminiscent night under the lights at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea beat a Jose Mourinho-managed Benfica 1-0 to register their first three points in this season’s UEFA Champions League. An own goal from Richard Rios in the first half gave the Blues the lead, which they hung onto to close out […]
Jose Mourinho’s latest Champions League expedition with Turkish club Fenerbahçe started with a defeat despite a late equaliser from a free kick by Kahveci. Zhegrova’s deflected goal in injury time sunk Fenerbahçe’s hopes of returning to Turkey with a point in their Champions League qualifier. Tactical analysis and match report by Gaurav Krishnan. We decided […]
When Lazio and Roma clash, the Italian capital grinds to a halt, and following a tense Derby della Capitale, the blue half of Rome celebrated yet another triumph. This was another one of those cagey derbies, where both teams struggled until Sarri’s men capitalized on their momentum against a toothless AS Roma side. Tactical analysis […]
Similar in position, but different in direction. Whereas Atalanta Bergamo tried to slice through the sides, AS Roma found Romelu Lukaku directly down the middle. The result leaves much to be desired. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Separated by just a point in the table, victory would make a noticeable difference as […]
AS Roma finally pierced through towards the end, after Matteo Politano’s dismissal, but the game was reflective of just how stagnant things have gone in the Southern part of Italian football. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Just before the winter break, Serie A scheduled two teams in desperate need of recovery […]
Matching three-at-the-back systems and little shot activity, this is what they mean by Calcio. In classic throwback Serie A action, it was the individual battles that took centerstage, but AS Roma needs to be more creative if they are to break the ceiling above them. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Serie […]
Roma and Milan squared off in a massive Friday night Serie A fixture, with the two teams taking opposite trajectories in the very early stages of the season. The visitors preserved their perfect record with a pretty convincing victory, whilst Roma’s struggles continued as they were left winless after three games. Tactical analysis and match […]