A youthful Ajax side stole the hearts of many football fans around the world by putting up a brave performance, and getting rewarded for it this time. In a perfect storm of events, Ajax quickly ran out to a two goal lead, which put them in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the game. […]
Both teams struggled to organize themselves properly on defense, creating bouts of end-to-end football that allowed Rakitić to score a chipped effort in the first half. The score held until full-time, even though Madrid tried their best to threaten through Vinícius Júnior. Tactical analysis and match report by Om Arvind. Nothing tells us we are […]
Real Madrid had the better of their eternal rivals for most of the game. They threatened on the counterattack late in the first half and responded with a flood of shots after going down 1-0, but simply were not clinical enough. The exact opposite was true for Barcelona, who scored three goals on only four […]
Real Madrid were second best the whole game, largely because of Ajax’s fierce high press and quality on the ball. But the best team sometimes does not win in a game of football, and that was exactly the case in this intriguing Champions League round of 16 match-up. Tactical analysis and match report by Om […]
El Derbi Madrileño was characterized by a gargantuan number of fouls, plenty of yellow cards, and a minimal amount of chances. While that sort of environment has favored Atlético Madrid in past encounters, this time around, it was Real Madrid who showed greater ruthlessness in front of goal and emerged victorious. Tactical analysis by Om […]
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid played a Clásico that was intense, but will not go in the books as an extraordinary performance. After Real Madrid were dominant in the opening twenty minutes and scored the opener, the match stabilized, becoming even tame at times. A draw leaves all possibilities open when the second leg takes […]
Real Madrid played with an unmatchable intensity in the first half, but created little against an organized and disciplined Sevilla defense. Not much changed in the next forty-five minutes except for the volume of Madrid’s long shots, which proved to be enough to push Solari’s men over the line. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
Quique Setién declined to return to a back five after drawing with Sociedad, allowing Real Madrid to cause mayhem with their high press and counterattacking skill. Things swung Betis’ way in the second half, before one of their former stars came back to snatch their souls at the death. Tactical analysis by Om Arvind. There should […]
The early goal changed Real Sociedad’s game plan into a more reactive one, and despite initial struggles, they improved in the second half and managed to disorder Real Madrid’s chaotic defense. Despite Vinicius’s best efforts, Real Madrid’s rigid and predictable attack failed to get past an outstanding Rulli in the opposing goal. Solari’s woes as […]
Real Madrid struggled to break down one of the worst defenses in the league before Benzema took over and led a brief renaissance. Half-time killed the momentum, allowing Rayo to grow back into the game and force Courtois to save the result at the death. Tactical analysis and match report by Om Arvind. Now that […]