In unprecedented circumstances for one of the most heated derbies in Europe, Sevilla and Betis faced off behind closed doors to kick off La Liga’s return. Sevilla’s unrelenting diagonals, crossing barrages, corner tactics, and much greater structural mechanisms gave them the edge over their city rivals. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Still technically […]
Almost mirroring each other’s defensive issues in midfield, Betis’ more focused and stable structure allowed them to carve through their opponents with much more ease. Comparatively, the away side’s play beyond the flanks paled in comparison to the home side’s, who had far stronger connections, enabling them to work the ball from side-to-side much more […]
Although the visitors had to cling on until the break, Quique Setién’s Barça were consistently finding ways to manipulate Betis’ press. Not in the most conventional of ways, the source of their goals highlighted some of the problem areas Betis suffered from. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. Three not-so-great away results preceding […]
In classic Atlético Madrid fashion, Diego Simeone’s tactics frustrated Real Betis, who had all the control of the possession. The hosts were not able to create chances, thanks to all eleven Atlético players defending in compact fashion behind the ball, before making poor mistakes in their buildup play cost them the result. Tactical analysis and […]
An encounter defined by pressing shapes from one side and buildup techniques from the other did not result in the extremes of an absolute stalemate or a high-scoring affair. Instead, Betis’ ability to break down their opponent’s press was what made them the superior outfit, even if the scoreline does not suggest the same. Tactical […]
In their 3-5-2 formation, there were a large amount of tactical details that Betis tried to use to their advantage against Villarreal, without too much avail. After equalizing early in the second half, Betis allowed for a Villarreal goal fest, as manager Rubi will be left scratching his head at some of the meek defending […]
Real Betis were able to take the lead early on at the Nou Camp in one of their few attacks throughout the game. Barcelona initially found it tough to break down a compact Betis side, who defended increasingly deep once they were ahead. Eventually Barcelona found a way through with two Antoine Griezmann goals either […]
Espanyol genuinely made life hard for Barcelona at Camp Nou by playing in a very compact and well-functioning 5-3-1-1 formation. Only past the midway point of the second half did the home side find a way to score and this essentially ended the game, after what had been a very interesting, yet one-sided seventy minutes […]
An initially conservative Espanyol changed their approach after Messi’s first brilliant free kick goal. However, Barcelona’s fire power of Suárez, Dembélé and a stellar Messi still came out on the top in the ensuing battle of pressing systems and defense-to-attack transitions. The second half saw Espanyol unable to change this dynamic from the bench. Tactical […]
Real Madrid dominated the first half thanks to Julen Lopetegui’s increasingly familiar possession-based strategy and assured performances from his midfielders. This changed in the second period, as Lopetegui made second half substitutions that lost them control of the game and allowed Espanyol chances to equalize the final 1-0 scoreline. Espanyol manager Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, […]