Category: Match Analysis

Leeds United 3-0 Chelsea – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Premier League

Jesse Marsch's Leeds United have started the 2022-23 season in stuttering form, but few would have expected the Whites to come up with such an impressive victory against Thomas Tuchel's high-flying Chelsea. Leeds battered and bruised the Blues into oblivion on Sunday, pressing relentlessly with heart and intensity at every turn. Jesse Marsch has inspired this mindset since he entered the door, and their off-season recruitment has allowed for a seamless transition into the American's ideals to take center-stage in 2022-23. Here is our analysis of Leeds' miraculous victory over Chelsea.

Game of Numbers – #3 – The Evolution of the Target Man

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker

Target Men are often seen as the bottom of the barrel centre-forward in terms of footballing ability. But increasingly, it's becoming more difficult to quantify 'Target Men', recognizing the vast skillsets they employ. The likes of Aleksandar Mitrović and Sasa Kalajdzic are easier to distinctly categorize as 'Target Men' for their physical, imposing frame that allows them to score headed goals for fun. But it becomes more difficult to keep the likes of Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez in that same specification, recognizing the vast array of traits they possess, particularly speed on the break. Target Men have historically been seen as slow, technically inept individuals who use their physicality, whether that be height or strength, to get one up over the opponent. But more and more, we are seeing an evolution of the 'Target Man' in 2022, to include a vast array of traits.

Game of Numbers – #1 – Lucas Paqueta & The Bernardo Silva Role

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League

In our latest analysis series: Game of Numbers, we break down the various tactical undertones of the modern game, most notably the roles that individual players hold on the pitch to help their teams explore avenues for greatness. Positions are often broken down into 'numbers' to describe the areas of the field that a player may operate. This series aims to illustrate the ever-changing, fluid nature of those roles, and the ways in which various footballing teams may use the same players in the same roles to completely different effect. This is Issue No. 1, featuring the following: Lucas Paquetá & The 'Bernardo Silva Role', Joachim Andersen's 'Quarterback' Role vs. Arsenal, and Musiala's Masterclass vs. Eintracht Frankfurt.

Vincent Kompany’s first game at Burnley – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Team Analysis

After a decade of Sean Dyche, Burnley have officially kicked off a new era with Premier League legend Vincent Kompany. The Clarets played admirably in their first Championship match since 2016, with a new set of tactics on full display. Kompany's bright start got off without a hitch - his team achieving a brilliant 1-0 victory over last season's Playoff Finalists. Here is our in-depth analysis of Burnley's 1-0 win over Huddersfield on the opening day of the 2022-23 EFL Championship season.

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final – England 2-1 Germany – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Women's Football

England have finally done it. For the first time since 1966, England have won a major international tournament. Sarina Wiegman's team have been the undeniable best team at this summer's Euros, conceding just 2 goals, and scoring 22 in the process. After a hard-fought battle with Germany in the final, England came out as deserved winners of the tournament, but not without the help of their mighty substitutes. Here is our analysis of the match, and the brilliance of England all summer long.

England 4-0 Sweden – UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Match Analysis

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Women's Football

Sweden might be the second best nation in the world on FIFA World Rankings, but on the pitch, they were easily second best in Tuesday night's semi-final. England on the other hand performed admirably and with a clinical verve, even if some unwanted discrepancies crept into their performance. In the end, Sarina Wiegman's team produced the goods when required, and now move onto the final with the chance to lift the country's first ever senior European Championships title, at their home ground, Wembley. Unfortunately for the Swedes, their worst showing of the tournament sends them home without a prayer; however, their attention can now be aimed towards a place at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England 2-1 Spain – UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Women's Football

What an exhilarating game. England and Spain have been two of the best teams at this summer's European Championships, and the quarter-final match-up between the two heavyweights proved to be one of the best in recent memory. Both teams left absolutely everything on the pitch, pushing and probing for the win the entire 120 minutes. In the end it was the Three Lionesses that pulled off the impressive result in extra time, with Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh leading the charge to victory. Here is our analysis of the fiery affair.

USA 1-0 Canada – CONCACAF W Final – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, NWSL, Women's Football

Any time Canada and the States face off in women's football, fireworks are bound to explode. With the likes of Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle and Christian Sinclair in full flow, the CONCACAF Women's Championship Final proved to be an exciting encounter, filled with heart and desire en route to an American victory. Here is our analysis of the fascinating final.