In what was a tense and physical Basque Derby, it would be set pieces that would allow the sides to share the points. A second half penalty from Alexander Isak would open the scoring for La Real, though a late free kick from Iker Muniain (with some help from a howler by Álex Remiro) would […]
How do you replace a talisman at such short notice? This question has stumped many, but Ronald Koeman took one small step to surmounting the loss of the greatest of them all. As the collective took on the work of the individual, Barcelona put on a display to suggest there can be life after Lionel […]
While their rivals fell before them, Atlético Madrid hoped to put one hand on the LaLiga crown with a win in this duel. Amid the carousel at the top of the table, the hosts blocked out the chaos, and put in a solid display to shut down Real Sociedad. Working from a flexible 4-3-3 shape, […]
The long-awaited cup final between two Basque rivals promised to be an even duel on paper, and so it proved. Real Sociedad’s playful 4-3-3 system shone through in terms of control of the ball but had to rely on a world-class play to pull away from a rugged Athletic Club outfit. Tactical analysis and match […]
Barcelona’s visit to Real Sociedad ought to have been a test of the away team’s title credentials. But this proved to be far from the case. Showcasing a fluid 3-1-3-3 system on the ball, Ronald Koeman’s men made sure this matchup was a one-sided affair, pulling clear in the second half. Tactical analysis and match […]
Real Sociedad have one of the best defenses in LaLiga, but their pressing and high defensive line was blown away by the speed of Manchester United’s counterattack. United dominated the first half hour with an unexpectedly well-executed pressing trap game plan. After their first goal, they stepped back, defended deeper, and picked off la Real […]
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. […]
Real Sociedad struggled to create chances against a rock-solid Atlético who not only defend well but also attack with extreme efficiency. The home side displayed some brilliant possession football in the first half hour but could not turn their possessions into shots. Atlético slowly adjusted to their opponents to turn the tables, and then broke […]
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. […]
It was quite the struggle for these opponents when it came to the creation of clear-cut chances – despite positive periods for both. They each faced off against similarly narrow shapes and each battled a high press. The result saw regular direct play on show with the flanks attracting plenty of attention, as Sociedad came […]