AS Roma and Paulo Fonseca parted ways with the Italian giants finishing just seventh in Serie A, but a more positive semi-final run in the Europa League and some encouraging attack-minded, tactically intriguing football. Legend of the game Jose Mourinho was the man to come in and replace Fonseca, and the Portuguese icon got off to a flying start in his Roma career, winning six from the first seven. But since then, it's been typical Mourinho, with the club now potentially spiraling back into their old ways. This week I talk to Roma expert Edward Stratmann on what needs to happen if Mourinho is to change the club's fortunes around, and the tactics Mourinho has displayed since taking over from Fonseca. Be sure to follow the show @mastermindsite, and give Edward a shout using the links below.
Tag: Managers
Bruno Lage – Wolves – Tactical Analysis
After the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo at the end of last season, Wolverhampton Wanderers hoped their next manager would have the gusto to turn the club back into a Europa League challenging team. While Bruno Lage wasn't the flashiest of appointments, the Portuguese manager has surpassed fan expectations, turning Wolves into one of the best defensive units in the league. Despite scoring just 14 goals in 19 league games, Wolves sit 8th place in the table, on 28 points. That in large part is due to the excellent tactical balance of Bruno Lage's team, their sound defensive structure, and the fact that every single player has completely bought into his ideologies. Here is a tactical analysis all about Bruno Lage's Wolves.
Graham Potter – Brighton & Hove Albion – Tactical Analysis (2021-22)
One of the most tactically complex teams in world football, no other team could change formation and personnel to the extent that Graham Potter's Brighton do without suffering any consequences. Through all the constant change, it's miraculous to think his team have boasted some of the best possession in the league, and one of the soundest defensive structures. The calls continue to come for Potter to move up a level and take on a new challenge, but for now, the British manager has kept Brighton in the top half of the table for the vast majority of the 2021-22 season. Here is our tactical analysis of Graham Potter's incredible Brighton & Hove Albion.
What’s Wrong With Adi Hütter’s Monchengladbach – Tactical Analysis
After a disappointing eighth place finish last season, Borussia Monchengladbach fans would have been hopeful that Adi Hütter, who finished fourth with Frankfurt, could turn their fortunes around and secure Champions League football for Die Borussen once again. However, Hütter's time in charge of Gladbach has instead been categorized by calamity and desperation, with the club now firmly in the bottom half of the table. Die Fohlen have been on a particularly torrid run as of late, losing four and drawing one from their last five matches in the Bundesliga. It's a crises no longer worth ignoring, with the club currently 14th in the table, just two points off the relegation places. So with that, we take a tactical look at everything that's gone wrong for Adi Hütter's Monchengladbach halfway through the 2021-22 season.
Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – Tactical Analysis (2021-22 Edition)
At the start of the 2021-22 campaign, all hope seemed to be lost for Arsenal. After losing their opening matches to Brentford and Chelsea without scoring a single goal, the Gunners suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. To make matters worse, their arch-rivals had beaten Guardiola's men on the opening day of the season, and sat top of the table at that time. Meanwhile, the Gunners sat rock bottom, with Arteta's future in doubt. Weeks later, Arsenal and Spurs faced off in the North London Derby, where the Gunners came out guns blazing, securing a stunning 3-1 victory. Ever since, Arteta's Arsenal have been full of light and positivity, playing some of their best football under the Spaniard. Arteta may not have fully flipped the script on his abilities, but for the meantime, Arsenal sit in fourth place, full of promise for the future. So with that, here is our 2021-22 tactical analysis of Mikel Arteta's team.
Christian Streich – SC Freiburg – Tactical Analysis (2021-22 Edition)
After back to back top ten finishes, SC Freiburg are now flying high toward a Champions League position in the German Bundesliga. Christian Streich's team have played some fantastic high pressing, high tempo football, beating some of the best teams in the league without any genuine stars in their side. So following up from our tactical analysis of the team last season, we take a look at how Christian Streich has revolutionized Freiburg in 2021-22.
Bruce Arena – New England Revolution – Tactical Analysis
After a long, thirty-four game season, New England Revolution have won their first ever MLS Supporters' Shield. For anyone unfamiliar with the MLS' bizarre structures, that is the equivalent to winning a league title in any other league around the world. In the MLS, all it means is that New England have the best seed heading into the Playoffs, where they will hope to claim glory for good. But despite the insignificance of something that should be very significant, New England need to be commended for their incredible 2021 MLS season. The Revs lost just 5 of their 34 league games, scoring 65 goals in the process. Through it all they played some intriguing football, in a unique 4-3-1-2 system. Here is our tactical analysis of Bruce Arena's New England Revolution in 2021.
Why Daniel Farke Paid the Price for Abandoning ‘Farkeball’ at Norwich City
After a four-and-a-half-year spell at Carrow Road, Daniel Farke has officially been sacked as Norwich boss. Farke, who was plucked from the relative obscurity of Dortmund’s B team by sporting director Stuart Webber, has given Norwich fans two of the best seasons in their history, and two Championship league titles. Nevertheless, Farke’s diminishing faith in … Continue reading Why Daniel Farke Paid the Price for Abandoning ‘Farkeball’ at Norwich City
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