Category: Match Analysis

Man United 5-1 Leeds – Tactical Analysis – Pogba’s Masterclass

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, Managers, Match Analysis, Premier League

We're not sure why his hair is blue, but Paul Pogba put on an absolute masterclass this weekend, assisting four goals in Manchester United's stunning 5-1 win over Leeds. It was an incredible performance all ends up from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, and one that certainly sets them on the right path toward a title hunt this season if they can keep up this sort of form. Here is our analysis of the match. performance all ends up from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, and one that certainly sets them on the right path toward a title hunt this season if they can keep up this sort of form. Here is our analysis of the match.

Tottenham 1-0 Man City – Tactical Analysis – Nuno’s First Game

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, Managers, Match Analysis, Premier League

Heading into the 2021-22 Premier League season, we were somewhat pessimistic about Nuno's chances to lead Tottenham to better times. But the Portuguese manager got off to a flying start on Sunday, beating the Champions in a surprising 1-0 victory. The match should now give Tottenham fans plenty of hope for the new season, especially given Nuno's intriguing tactical tweaks that benefited Spurs' ability to win the match. Here is our analysis.

Borussia Dortmund 5-2 Eintracht Frankfurt – Tactical Analysis – Marco Rose’s First Game

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Managers, Match Analysis, World Football

Borussia Dortmund got off to a flying start in their opening matchday fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Oliver Glasner's side looking completely out of sorts. Marco Rose's men on the other hand completely took the game to Frankfurt, with Haaland, Reus and co. in full flow. Here is our tactical analysis of Dortmund's first match and all the wonders they accomplished.

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 1 – Tactical Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis

The Bundesliga is back! Here is our Tactical Review for Gameweek 1. Be sure to continue checking back for more tactical analyses on more matches as the weekend progresses.

Euro 2020 Final – Italy vs. England – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, World Football

Euro 2020 has officially come to a close, with Italy crowned as tournament kings. England gave a mighty effort in the final to stop Italy from taking the crown, but as the match wore on there was only going to be one winner, and that was Roberto Mancini's Italy. Nonetheless, the final proved to be an intriguing tactical battle. We break it all down in our Euro 2020 Final tactical analysis.

Italy vs. England – Euro 2020 Final – Tactical Preview

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, World Football

After the craziness of the Round of 16 resulted in France, Germany and Portugal all being eliminated from the competition, the match that was expected to take place in the Euro 2020 final will now come to fruition. Italy and England have been the two best teams at the tournament, and the only two teams to not only go unbeaten, but win all of their games up to this point. Here is a tactical preview of the Euro 2020 final battle between Italy and England.

Italy 1-1 Spain – Euro 2020 Semi-Final – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, World Football

In a highly contested affair, Italy and Spain played out a 1-1 draw after extra time, and needed penalty kicks to settle the match. After missing just one of their spot kicks, Italy sent themselves through to the final of the tournament, extending their impressive unbeaten run to 33 matches in all competitions. Here is our tactical analysis of the match!

Quick Take: Italy’s Shield is the Euro’s Sharpest Sword

by Jeremy Barnes, posted in Coach Education, Formations, Masterclasses, Match Analysis

When establishing a style of play, all top-level managers face the same pragmatic questions: How will positional defenders become functional attackers (and vice versa) as changes in possession occur? Where is the balance between earnest advancement and cautious reserve? And how is that equilibrium expressed, implicitly and explicitly, on the team sheet?