Category: World Football

Kylian Mbappe – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Striker, UEFA Champions League, Winger, World Football

After his incredible performance against FC Barcelona, many now regard Kylian Mbappe as the next coming of Lionel Messi, with some even suggesting he's already taken over as the world's greatest player. It was clear as day that Mbappe was going to be a world beater when he first stepped onto the scene with AS Monaco as a seventeen-year-old. But the Frenchman has progressed just as many hoped he might, which cannot be said about most of the seventeen-year old's who have burst onto the scene like Mbappe. Now a well established front-man for PSG, Mbappe is once again leading his team's charge toward the UEFA Champions League final just as he did last season. This is a tactical analysis all about PSG's Kylian Mbappe.

Liverpool 0-2 Everton – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Premier League, World Football

The last time Everton won at Anfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold had just had his first birthday. September 1999 was the date, a match that lives long in Don Hutchinson's memory and almost no one else's. But even though it had been more than twenty-one years since Everton last won at Anfield, you just got the feeling that it might happen again this season. In the end, Carlo Ancelotti put on a tactical masterclass and his team put on a defensive clinic, but Liverpool were also woeful in attack and looked on different wavelengths at times. It all culminated in a historic win for the Toffees and an embarrassing defeat for Jurgen Klopp as things continue to go from bad to worse for the Reds. Here is a tactical analysis of Everton's historic 2-0 win over Liverpool.

Scott Parker – Fulham – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

Although Fulham currently sit in the relegation zone, it could be argued that Scott Parker's start to his managerial career could hardly have gone better. After retiring from the game in 2017, Parker took over toward the tail-end of their horrendous 2018-19 season. He then secured the full-time managerial role for the start of the 2019-20 EFL Championship season, earning promotion via the playoffs in his first season at the club. Although 2020-21 might end in relegation, Scott Parker has immensely improved Fulham from the last time they were in the league and has kept them within a fighting chance of survival throughout the season. This is a tactical analysis of Scott Parker's Fulham.

Julian Nagelsmann – RB Leipzig – Tactical Analysis (2020-21 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League, World Football

Julian Nagelsmann never made it as a player, thanks in large part to knee injuries that forced him to retire before his career even got started. However, that change of path allowed the German manager to take up coaching at a young age and after briefly working under Thomas Tuchel at Augsburg, Nagelsmann worked his way through the ranks at 1899 Hoffenheim, leading them into the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. After three incredibly successful years with Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann departed the club in 2019 for RasenBallsport Leipzig. Due to his fantastic success with a club that is now firmly one of Germany's elite clubs, Nagelsmann is now one of the most sought after and respected coaches in the world, at 32 years of age. This is a Tactical Analysis of Julian Nagelsmann's revelations with RB Leipzig, as he looks destined to become the next big thing in football management.

Marco Rose – Borussia Monchengladbach – Tactical Analysis (2020-21 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis, World Football

After two successful years with Red Bull Salzburg, German coach Marco Rose made a return to his home country to take on the role as Borussia Monchgengladbach manager for the start of the 2019-20 season. Rose has continued his success with Gladbach so far since taking charge and has only enhanced his reputation as a manager, with 50% of his matches won and his team well within the hunt for the top for again. Under Dieter Hecking, Gladbach had a win percentage of 43%, and played primarily in a 4-4-2 Diamond or 4-3-1-2 shape. Rose has since changed Gladbach's formation to primarily a 4-2-3-1, focusing more on quick transitions and the importance of fullbacks in build-up phases. His side haven't been spectacular this season, but they've been missing a few key figureheads and at the very least have continued to play some fantastic football. Now that Rose looks prepared to take over at Borussia Dortmund in time for next season, we take an in-depth look at the tactics he's deployed in 2020-21. Here is our updated 2020-21 tactical analysis of Borussia Monchengladbach under Marco Rose.

Jesse Marsch – RB Salzburg – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Managers, Masterclasses, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League, World Football

Jesse Marsch is one of the most buzzworthy managers in the world of football at the moment. Since taking over at Red Bull Salzburg for Marco Rose, the American has developed a reputation as a tactical innovator and one of the most exciting young managers in the game. However, it's not as though Salzburg's record is anything out of the ordinary from previous managers. The buzz and attention surrounding the former MLS superstar is instead much more about how Marsch's tactics and coaching styles have been out of the ordinary. His open communication regarding his coaching philosophies and principles of play has also been welcome, and only increased the manager's growing reputation. Here is a tactical analysis of Jesse Marsch's Red Bull Salzburg.

Why Aston Villa Will Qualify for Europe by 2023 – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

After surviving relegation by a single point in 2019-20, few would have imagined Aston Villa to have such a stellar season in 2020-21. Instead of battling for relegation, they've been battling for a place in Europe, beating the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester City along the way. Perhaps most impressively out of anything, beyond the results which have unequivocally been spectacular, Dean Smith's side have just been so much fun to watch. They've been tactically intriguing in their shifting systems and styles of play, but also just so full of life this season with Grealish and co leading their charge toward European football. Here is our latest Tactical Analysis all about Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, including why the Lions look destined for European football next season.

Where Liverpool Have Gone Wrong This Season – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, World Football

Much of the dialogue going into this weekend's Liverpool-Manchester City match centered around the fixture as a potential title decider for Liverpool. The assumption was that if Liverpool lost, their hopes and dreams of winning the title would dash before their eyes. As it turns out, Liverpool didn't just lose, but were badly beaten and bruised by a terrific Manchester City side that absolutely terrorized the Reds. It was their third home loss of the season and fifth in total. So with all of their struggles this season, not just against Manchester City, we take an in-depth look at where Liverpool have gone wrong this season. Here is our latest Liverpool tactical analysis.