Alphonso Davies – The MastermindSite

Reflections from Canada’s loss to Croatia – 2022 World Cup

November 29, 2022December 17, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, World Cup 2022

After taking a few days to reflect on Canada's disappointing loss against Croatia, I have been able to take away many positives from the performance. Kamal Miller won't get much in the way of praise after being hung out to dry at the end of the game, but he had another brilliant performance at the back. Alphonso Davies meanwhile bagged the nation's first goal at a Men's World Cup inside just two minutes of action, waking my neighbours up as I yelled of joy. But in dissecting the game further, it's clear to see that Croatia operated at a higher level, with their fanciful one-touch triangulations causing chaos for Canada every time they had the ball. For what feels like the first time ever, a few things will need to drastically change from a tactical standpoint heading into the next fixture from John Herdman's team. Here are my reflections on Canada's 4-1 defeat to Croatia.

Belgium 1-0 Canada – World Cup 2022 – Match Analysis

November 24, 2022December 17, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, World Cup 2022, World Football

Canada's much anticipated first World Cup match in 36 years lived up to the billing, with the Canadians dominating one of the best sides in the world in Belgium. The 1-0 loss will be a slight disappointment for Herdman and his men, but the Maple Leafs will take away the positives from the performance heading into their final two group games. Here is our analysis of Canada's 1-0 defeat to Belgium.

Breaking down Canada’s 2022 World Cup Squad

November 13, 2022December 17, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Team Analysis, World Cup 2022, World Football

Canada has officially announced the squad for their first World Cup since 1986, and fans of Canadian soccer will be happy to hear that all of the big names have made the cut. Doneil Henry serves as the only major omission after his latest injury set-back, but even he appears to be set to join the squad in Qatar from the sidelines. So with that, we break down John Herdman's squad heading into a historic World Cup, and what to expect from the Canadians in Qatar.

Explaining the Wing-Back – Player Role Analysis

June 19, 2022September 5, 2022 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.

Costa Rica 1-0 Canada – Match Analysis

March 25, 2022April 9, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Managers, Match Analysis, Most Recent, World Cup 2022, World Football

hursday night could have been the night that Canada clinched glory in World Cup Qualification, for the first time since 1986. But with a disastrous red card early on in the match and a few missing figureheads, it wasn't meant to be for the Maple Leafs, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a defensively robust Costa Rica. Here is our match analysis of the Canadian team against Costa Rica.

Top 100 Male Footballers 2021 Edition (20-1)

December 31, 2021January 7, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Top 100 Footballers, World Football

It's time for the finale! Two weeks ago today, we launched our voting polls for the best player in each position across the calendar year. It’s all part of our annual Top 100 Footballers list, where this year, you get to have your say. In just one week, we had hundreds of votes in each category, helping us develop a comprehensive list of the very best footballers on planet earth this year. Here is our Top 100 Footballers of 2021, as voted by you, ending our countdown with numbers 20-1.

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

December 12, 2021December 18, 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 left backs in 2021.

John Herdman – Canada – Tactical Analysis

November 13, 2021September 10, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Most Recent, Team Analysis, World Football

After years of barely even being on the football map, Canada are suddenly thriving and well under the new leadership of John Herdman. The Canadian Men's National Team have won 71% of their matches since Herdman took over, following up from his personal successes with the Women's team, where he helped the nation claim two Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016. His first mission as men's national team coach was to help the Canadians earn their first qualification to a World Cup since 1986, and they have now gone 13 matches unbeaten in qualifying, with 9 wins and 4 draws. With just a few games to go in the round robin, Canada look destined to qualify for their first major international tournament in thirty-five years. Here is an analysis of John Herdman's work with the Canadian Men's National Team.

Julian Nagelsmann – Bayern Munich – Tactical Analysis

October 17, 2021September 10, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Most Recent

Since taking charge of Bayern Munich, Julian Nagelsmann has only carried on his fantastic managerial reputation, with the Bavarians winning six of their opening eight matches. In that time they've scored a whopping 29 goals, playing an incredibly effective and attractive brand of football. Here is a tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann's Bayern Munich in 2021-22.

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 6 – Tactical Review

September 25, 2021October 7, 2021 by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis, Most Recent

The Bundesliga continues to entertain as ever, with intriguing tactics, goals galore, and surprising results. Matchday 6 saw Leipzig get back on track with a thumping win over Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg suffer their first defeat of the season, and Dortmund look completely out of sorts in the Borussia derby. Here is our tactical analysis of some of the key matches.

Bundesliga 2021-22 Matchday 1 – Tactical Review

August 14, 2021August 27, 2021 by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Match Analysis, Most Recent

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.

How Hansi Flick won the 2020-21 Bundesliga title (Video)

May 20, 2021September 10, 2022 by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers

Hansi Flick's time in charge of Bayern Munich may have been short-lived, but the former and future national team coach will go down as one of the team's all-time greatest managers. Hansi Flick eased to a second Bundesliga title in charge of Bayern Munich on Saturday, after a smashing 6-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. For all of their fantastic exploits this season, we analyze how Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title. Check out the full video by AJAnalysis - YouTube.