Author: Rhys Desmond

Across the past decade, I have worked with thousands of players and coaches across multiple sports and disciplines. I recognize the value of diving deeper beyond the first glance, and uncovering the deeper-lying ways to enhance performance. I make a commitment toward positive reinforcement, research-backed insights, and making the experience fun for those that work with me. If you’re interested in learning more about my site or experiencing my coaching, feel free to reach out! 👊⚽

Luciano Spalletti – Napoli – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Serie A

Since taking over from Gennarro Gattuso in May 2021, Luciano Spalletti has turned Napoli into one of Serie A's most formidable units. While a fifth place finish in the 2020-21 season was a fine result for Gli Azzurri, it wasn't what they had hoped for, nor what they could have achieved. In came Spalletti and POOF(!) the team are now on an unbeaten run at the start of the 2021-22 season, winning seven from seven. After Inter Milan broke Juventus' long-standing record last season, the Napoli faithful will now be hoping Serie A might be theirs for the taking this year. Here is a tactical analysis of Luciano Spalletti's new-look Napoli.

Why Fred and McTominay are not the problem for Manchester United

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League

Much of the discussion surrounding Manchester United at the moment revolves around one central tenet – the fact that they still have Fred & McTominay playing in midfield – rather than superman and wonder woman. It is true that United strengthened in several areas that they did not necessarily need to over the course of a busy summer window. It is also true that they neglected to strengthen the widest, gaping whole in their entire team. But Fred & McTominay have become scapegoats for the fragility of a fairly flimsy team that almost certainly would be worse off without them.

Coaching Automatisms – Rehearsed Patterns of Play

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Sport Psychology, Subscriber Exclusives

In the past few years, I have adopted an almost entirely games-based approach to coaching. Everything is based within scenarios and situations players encounter in the game, and related to rehearsed actions on where to be in different situations players encounter on a football pitch. These are what the footballing world call "patterns of play", and what some top managers in the game have dubbed "automatizations".

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 7 – Tactical Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis

The Bundesliga continues to entertain as ever, with intriguing tactics, goals galore, and surprising results. Matchday 7 saw Frankfurt get a shocking win over Bayern, Monchengladbach surprise Wolfsburg, and Union Berlin leapfrog FSV Mainz in the table. Here is our tactical analysis of some of the key matches.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City – How Pep Beat Tuchel – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League

Chelsea vs. Manchester City was tipped to be an early title decider, and it did not disappoint as a highly contested affair between two teams right in the thick of the race this season. In the end it was the Citizens who came out on top, after an utterly dominant performance over a team that beat them in the UEFA Champions League final last season. Here is our analysis of the match.

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 6 – Tactical Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis

The Bundesliga continues to entertain as ever, with intriguing tactics, goals galore, and surprising results. Matchday 6 saw Leipzig get back on track with a thumping win over Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg suffer their first defeat of the season, and Dortmund look completely out of sorts in the Borussia derby. Here is our tactical analysis of some of the key matches.

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 5 – Tactical Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis

The Bundesliga continues to entertain as ever, with intriguing tactics, goals galore, and surprising results. Matchday 5 saw Bayern smash VFL Bochum for seven, and things go from bad to worse for Leipzig as they slip even further down the table. Here is our tactical analysis of some of the key matches.

What’s gone wrong for Jesse Marsch at Leipzig? – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Subscriber Exclusives

Ahead of Leipzig's weekend clash with FC Koln, Die Roten Bullen entered Matchday 5 on just 3 points, beating (and battering) only Stuttgart in their opening four fixtures. It's safe to say that's far from the start Jesse Marsch would have been hoping for in his first five matches at Red Bull Arena. 13th place is not necessarily a reflection of how they've played so far this season, but it is also certainly not where anyone would have thought they'd be at this stage. So what has gone wrong for Jesse Marsch's team so far? We take a look at some of the key issues in our latest tactical analysis.