Tag: Achraf Hakimi

Explaining the Wing-Back – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Data Analysis, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Wing-Back

A wing-back, as the name suggests, is a full-back that operates up and down the wing, holding particular importance in attacking phases. They may contribute to the defensive side of the game, and they may even invert into central areas. But wing-backs do their best work down the by-line, where they can deliver crosses into the box, utilize their trickery and skill to go 1v1, and surge up the field through their dynamic pace and timing of movement into dangerous areas. Here is our latest Player Role Analysis.

Top 100 Male Footballers 2021 Edition (40-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Top 100 Footballers, World Football

The end of the year is nearly here! And that means it's time for our annual Top 100 Footballers list to kick off. This year, you had your say in our voting polls, and this is where you landed. Here is numbers 40-21 in the Top 100 Footballers in the World.

Right Back of the Year – Interactive Vote (Top 100 Footballers 2021)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Top 100 Footballers, World Football

The end of year is almost here, and that means it's time for our annual Top 100 Footballers list. This year, you, the readers of our website, will get to have your say. Just simply see the list of nominees below, and rearrange the list to suit your preference of first to last in each position. When we rank the Top 100 Footballers of the Year, we take into consideration a player's form throughout 2021, their club and national team success, difficulty of league, and their reputation + performances in the year prior. You can rank based on any criteria you desire! Below is our first poll of the year - ranking the best right backs in 2021.

Antonio Conte – Inter Milan – Tactical Analysis (2020-21 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Managers, Most Recent, Serie A, Team Analysis, World Football

Since Antonio Conte's arrival at Inter Milan, the Italian giants have transformed into the most effective side in all of Serie A. Other than disappointments in the UEFA Champions League and losing last season's Europa League final, Conte's start to life at San Siro has gotten off without a hitch. I Nerazzurri narrowly missed out on the title to Conte's old side Juventus last season by one single point, and this season they look favourites to finally dethrone the Old Lady from securing another crown. But the results and the performances are not the only impressive components about Antonio Conte's functional Inter Milan. The Italian manager's tactics have been remarkable as they have been throughout his career, and so many players have taken their games to new heights under the influence of the former Premier League winner. Here is a tactical analysis all about Antonio Conte's Inter Milan in 2020-21.

Erling Haaland – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Striker, Top 100 Footballers, UEFA Champions League, World Football

After breaking onto the scene with FK Molde in 2018, Erling Haaland has had a quick rise to becoming one of the very best footballers on the planet now in 2021, at the tender age of twenty years old. This season the Norwegian striker has taken his game to new heights, scoring a remarkable thirty-two goals in twenty-eight matches across all competitions. He's particularly impressed in the UEFA Champions League, leading Dortmund into the Quarter Finals with ten goals in six matches so far. Here is a tactical analysis of one of the greatest phenoms in the history of the Bundesliga - Erling Haaland.

Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020 (60-41)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Premier League, Serie A, Top 100 Footballers, UEFA Champions League, World Football

2020 was a strange year for everyone in the world, not just footballers. But the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that we haven’t gotten as much football as we might have done otherwise. That said, there were still plenty of matches played across the year, and some surprise performers and performances along the way. As always, TheMastermindSite.com will now count down the top 100 male footballers in the world for the year. This list takes into account a player’s form in 2020 as its primary mechanism, with reputation, difficulty of league, club and national team success each playing a secondary role. So with that in mind, here is TheMastermindSite’s Top 100 Male Footballers in the World for 2020 (60-41).

Lucien Favre Leaves Behind a Legacy at Borussia Dortmund

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

Lucien Favre was the best Borussia Dortmund manager since Jurgen Klopp. His sacking from the helm of Signal Iduna Park comes at a bizarre time, with the club topping their UEFA Champions League group. Although results haven't gone their way in the league recently, Favre was an outstanding coach for Dortmund and did not deserve the sack. This article will explore the legacy of Lucien Favre at BVB, and why Dortmund might regret sacking him in a few months time.

Lucien Favre – Borussia Dortmund – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Formations, German Bundesliga, Managers, Most Recent, UEFA Champions League, World Football

The suspension of all football activity has been a unfortunate for Borussia Dortmund as they were on a stunning run of form in the Bundesliga before the break. Favre's newly introduced 3-4-2-1 has changed the way Dortmund play for the better, while simultaneously providing more defensive support, the area of the field in which they needed reassurances the most. The formation has given the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Raphael Guerreiro the freedom to go on and create more magic and has also given Jadon Sancho and Thorgan Hazard a necessary boost at a crucial time in the season. This formation suits the players and personnel that Lucien Favre has at his disposal tremendously well and it will be very interesting to see if they can continue to play to such great heights when the season comes to a conclusion. Check out or Tactical Analysis of Lucien Favre's stellar 3-4-2-1 formation with BVB.

Top 100 Male Footballers 2019 (100-91)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Premier League, Serie A, Top 100 Footballers, UEFA Champions League, World Football

It's almost the end of the year, so it's only fitting that we count down the top 100 footballers of 2019. Check out the start of the list (100-91) right here.

3 Ways Borussia Dortmund Could Line Up in 2019-20

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, World Football

Borussia Dortmund have had a busier off-season in the transfer market than any other club in Europe. With the disappointment of missing out on the title by just 2 points in 2018-19, BVB and Lucien Favre have quickly gotten their business done to try and right their wrongs and make another title charge in 2019-20. The likes of Julian Brandt, Nico Schulz, Mats Hummels and Thorgan Hazard have all joined Borussia Dortmund and will provide much needed improvements in several departments for the club. The one biggest fix was clearly needed at left-back, while Lukasz Pisczcek on the right is aging slowly and will in time need a more long-term option if Achraf Hakimi does re-join Real Madrid in 2020/21.

Borussia Dortmund Season In Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, World Football

The first half of the 2018-19 campaign was the most fun I've ever had watching Borussia Dortmund. The Black and Yellows were flying high in the Bundesliga and went undefeated until the end of December, while only losing 1 Champions League game in that time. New signings Paco Alcacer, Thomas Delaney, Axel Witsel and Achraf … Continue reading Borussia Dortmund Season In Review

Schalke 04 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: Sancho and Reus Dominate the Derby

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Top 100 Footballers, World Football

After the worst Video Assistant Referee decision in the history of football, Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus came to life to inspire Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 victory in the Riverderby.  It was a quick start for Borussia Dortmund, an early foul on Achraf Hakimi was turned into a brilliant set-piece by Marco Reus. Reus … Continue reading Schalke 04 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: Sancho and Reus Dominate the Derby