Category: Team Analysis

Can Dortmund Claim Top Four? – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Subscriber Exclusives, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League

After the sacking of Lucien Favre in December, assistant coach Edin Terzic was given the interim role at Borussia Dortmund. Unfortunately for the first time manager, things could not have gotten off to a rockier start. Terzic won just six of his opening thirteen matches in charge, forcing Dortmund into a difficult situation heading into the final third of the season with a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League in their sights. However, in recent weeks, Edin Terzic has grown his reputation, with Borussia Dortmund now on a 4 match win streak in the league as they charge toward the top four…maybe even three. So with that, we provide a second tactical analysis on Edin Terzic‘s Borussia Dortmund, and their chances of finishing top four this season.

Schalke’s Devastating Fall From Grace – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Team Analysis

Once one of the Bundesliga's supreme outfits, Schalke 04 have had a devastating season in 2020-21, one of the worst performances of a team in the league's history. With four games still to play, The Royal Blues have already been relegated from the league, with just 2 wins and 13 points from their 30 matches. … Continue reading Schalke’s Devastating Fall From Grace – Tactical Analysis

Julian Nagelsmann’s principles of play – a natural fit for Bayern

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis

Last week, Hansi Flick announced his decision to leave Bayern Munich come the end of the season. The likeliest man to come in and replace him? - RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann. But how would Julian Nagelsmann revolutionize Bayern Munich? These are some of the German's key principles of play and what he might add to die Roten next season.

Xavi Hernandez – Al Sadd – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Subscriber Exclusives, Team Analysis

Former Barcelona man Xavi Hernandez is widely considered one of the best midfielders of all time. In his hay-day with both Spain and Barcelona, Xavi formed one of the best midfield triads the game has ever seen, alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. He won twenty-five major trophies with Barcelona and three for Spain, before moving to Qatar ahead of the 2015-16 season. He then went on to finish his career in style, winning the Qatari league in his final season at the club in 2018-19. The very next season he was named manager of the squad and soon afterward completely revolutionized Al Saad into a near unstoppable unit in the QPL. The Spanish midfielder has quietly gone about his business at Al Sadd, playing in Guardiola-esque ways and doing del-Bosque-esque things, winning six trophies in two seasons so far. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the now 41-year-old, and in time we may see one of the game greatest ever midfielders become one of the game's greatest ever managers. Here is a tactical analysis of Xavi Hernandez's Al Sadd.

Oliver Glasner – VFL Wolfsburg – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis

German football is becoming more and more populated with talented coaches hailing from one of the nation's noisiest neighbours - Austria. Oliver Glasner is the latest in a long line of stellar Austrian coaches in the Bundesliga, currently leading VFL Wolfsburg to amazing heights in his second season at the club. After much in the way of success with LASK Linz in the Austrian Bundesliga, Glasner joined Wolfsburg in 2019 and led them to a 7th place finish in his first season at the club. This season, the Austrian manager's taken Wolfsburg to new heights, with the club currently sitting in third place. The Volkswagen-owned club are now set for their best finish in years under the influence of Glasner, with the manager himself linked with some of the top clubs across the country. Here is a tactical analysis of Oliver Glasner's VFL Wolfsburg in 2020-21.

Who Should Replace Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich?

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis

On Saturday August 17, 2021, shortly after Bayern’s big 3-2 win over VFL Wolfsburg, Hansi Flick announced his decision to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the 2020-21 season. The news left the Bayern board reeling, and the club now having to navigate the final stretch of the season under the uncertainty of not knowing who their next manager will be. So who should be their next manager? Bundesliga Daily brings us some of the key candidates for the job.

Paulo Fonseca – AS Roma – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Serie A, Subscriber Exclusives, Team Analysis

AS Roma are still far from the side they were many years ago, but they have enjoyed two of their better seasons over the last decade since Paulo Fonseca arrived at the club. The Portuguese manager came to Roma with a respectable reputation, having led Shakhar Donetsk to three league titles and a 74% win rate in his three seasons at the club. During his first season in charge at I Giallorossi, Fonseca led AS Roma to a fifth place finish in Serie A - securing Europa League football for the team. Roma have since performed well in the competition this season, with a semi-final against tournament favourites Manchester United to play for in the next few weeks. Their performances in the Europa League have outshone their relatively sub-par season in Serie A, with the side currently in seventh place. Nonetheless, if Fonseca's team were to pull out a miracle and make the Europa League final, this season would be seen as a complete success. With that, here is a tactical analysis of Paulo Fonseca's AS Roma this season.

Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 Eintracht Frankfurt – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Match Analysis, Team Analysis

Earlier this week, Adi Hütter was announced as the next Borussia Monchengladbach boss. Unfortunately for him and his current Eintracht Frankfurt team, he didn't make the best impression on his new club this weekend, suffering a 4-0 defeat. Adi Hütter's team were lifeless and ineffective, and let Gladbach walk all over them. So as this managerial merry-go-round saga continues, we analyze Borussia Monchengladbach's 4-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.