Despite rolling out a ballsy 3-4-3 diamond formation without an actual defensive midfielder, Guardiola’s Manchester City creating next to nothing in the Champions League final. Chelsea defended like they always do under Tuchel: well-organized and disciplined, as direct balls into Werner were a good way to create chances on the counterattack. By virtue of a […]
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we dial back the tape and go over the main tactical themes of those seven meetings, divided into three acts. In the third and last part: […]
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we play back the tape and go over the main tactical themes of those seven meetings, divided into three acts. In the second part: Bayern Munich […]
Teams of Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel have met seven times before, split into three episodes of club football. In this mini-series, building up to the Champions League final, we play back the tape and go over the main tactical themes of those seven meetings, divided into three acts. In the first part: Bayern Munich […]
Chelsea approached the match with a positive attitude from the start and dominated Leicester’s 5-4-1 defensive block. Chelsea’s asymmetric 3-4-3 system offered strong movement through midfield and attacking areas, allowing them to create shots with relative ease in the first half. They eventually got their two goals after the break and were able to see […]
Leicester City have won their first FA Cup, thanks to a phenomenal strike from Youri Tielemans. The goal rightly takes the plaudits, but their effective pressing scheme and flexible defensive organization nullified waves of Chelsea attacks, which didn’t come. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The valuation of the FA Cup’s importance has been, […]
Pep Guardiola loves an experiment, but even this was more audacious than normal. Manchester City traded total control to find ideas past Europe’s most challenging defensive block. Chelsea had also rotated but found routes through thanks to effective right-side interchange. A 90th minute winner draws the battle lines. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Failing to put the tie to bed in the first leg, Chelsea hoped their visitors would not conjure up their black magic in Europe once more. But while chances aplenty went begging, the home team showed their class once more to deliver another shutout and make a return to the holy grail. Tactical analysis and […]
In a slow and methodical FA Cup semi-final, deep buildups and counterpressing came to the forefront. Though neither team had dominated the shot count, Chelsea were more efficient in bypassing Manchester City’s pressure, to secure another trip to Wembley, thanks to the work of the front two. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. January’s […]
The first encounter between Marcelo Bielsa and Thomas Tuchel did not live up to expectation. Leeds United’s aggressive pressing and Chelsea’s unorthodox shape in the first half, led to limited chances for the visitors; whilst Leeds were incapable of penetrating through an organized opposition defense. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The matchup between […]