Tag: Inverted Fullbacks

Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – Tactical Analysis (2022-23)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

For much of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal looked like genuine title favourites, with the Gunners in full flow under a former Pep Guardiola mentee, Mikel Arteta. But in the past few months, the Gunners have slowly started to slip away, and tip the scale back in favour of the team that have won four of the last five seasons. Pep Guardiola's team have been absolutely immaculate as the season has come to a close, under much in the way of new, evolving tactics. We break down the tactical undertones of Guardiola's team in 2022-23, and how they've evolved their approach in the quest for another league title.

Game of Numbers #16 – Riley Ferrazzo as an ‘Inverted Fullback’

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Fullback, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Player Analysis

HFX Wanderers looked a completely different side on Matchday 1 against last season’s first-place finishers, with a genuine intentionality behind their team tactics and set-up. The interesting thing to now keep on the radar will be whether the tactics they used on opening day were created to mitigate Atletico Ottawa’s own innovations, or whether they intend on utilizing the same ideologies in their matches moving forward. Either way, Halifax enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, through much in the way of innovation and pizzazz. Here is Game of Numbers Issue No. 16 - all about how Gheisar achieved balance in his side via the use of Riley Ferrazzo as an 'Inverted Fullback'.

Game of Numbers #12 – Erik Ten Hag’s Positional Play Masterclass

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

Erik Ten Hag has deployed brilliant implementations of positional play all season long, putting on an absolute masterclass of how to confuddle the opposition into oblivion against Leicester City.

Game of Numbers #7 – Ben White’s Right-Back Revolution

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Fullback, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis

Ben White has been one of the understated members of Arsenal's revolution into one of the Premier League's supreme outfits in 2022-23. The Gunners currently sit top of the table after their formidable win against a dissolute Spurs side, with Ben White performing a pivotal role in the big win.

Game of Numbers – #2 – Walker & Cancelo Back Where They Belong

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Defensive Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis

Leave it to Manchester City to always be doing something interesting from a tactical perspective. Tactics were bound to change at the Ethiad with a new striker entering the door. City even made strides to accommodate Erling Haaland by purchasing yellow shirts for everybody. But the real tactical change against West Ham United came out from the back, with the re-emergence of an old City favourite that quietly died down in 2021-22. In large part, Bernardo Silva's 'Bernardo Silva Role' meant that the City fullbacks were responsible for inverting less in build-up phases, as the Portuguese playmaker drifted toward the ball to help the Citizens break through central corridors instead.

Why Oleksandr Zinchenko is perfect for Arsenal

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Data Analysis, Fullback, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Wing-Back

Arsenal's transfer business this summer has been shrewd and accomplished, and now after signing both Zinchenko and Jesus from the Sky Blues, Arsenal could very well be on their way toward building back toward Premier League title acclaim. Here is our analysis of why Zinchenko is perfect for Arsenal, and why the signing may be the start of something special for the Gunners in 2022-23.

Man City 5-0 Norwich – Tactical Analysis – How Jack Grealish Fits

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

Manchester City demolished Norwich City this past weekend in the Premier League's second round of fixtures, with Jack Grealish grabbing his first goal for the club. Here is our analysis of the match, including a special look into how the former Villa captain fits into the squad.