Tag: Marco Verratti

Explaining the Deep-Lying Playmaker – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Data Analysis, Defensive Midfield, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

The 'Deep-Lying Playmaker' is one of the already attributed player types that we have adopted within our system. Also known by its Italian name 'Regista', the 'DLP' is tasked with setting the tempo of the match from build up to progression, all the way to creation. They sit in front of the defensive line as an 'Anchor', but hold a more offensive, progressive and possession-oriented role than the other two 'number 6' types within our 'Anchor' persona. Their role is in both helping create space between the lines, and then breaking lines, recycling play, or even changing the point of attack upon receiving the ball, so that their team can advance up the pitch, beat an opposition's press and seek spaces closer to goal.

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Top 100 Male Footballers 2021 Edition (60-41)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in 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 60-41 in the Top 100 Footballers in the World.

Italy vs. England – Euro 2020 Final – Tactical Preview

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, World Football

After the craziness of the Round of 16 resulted in France, Germany and Portugal all being eliminated from the competition, the match that was expected to take place in the Euro 2020 final will now come to fruition. Italy and England have been the two best teams at the tournament, and the only two teams to not only go unbeaten, but win all of their games up to this point. Here is a tactical preview of the Euro 2020 final battle between Italy and England.

Italy: What we’ve learned so far as the Azzurri top Group A

by Adam Palermo, posted in World Football

After another sound win against 10-man Wales, Italy have secured top spot in Group A and will face Group C runners-up Austria in the Round of 16. Now that the group stage is over for the Italians, let’s take a look at what we’ve learned about this side so far.

Italy – Euro 2020 – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses

After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Italy have now gone 30 matches unbeaten under the influence of former Premier League title winner Roberto Mancini. The Italian manager has reinstalled the faith of the nation at this summer's Euros, playing an exciting brand of possession-based football. After taking 9 points, scoring 7 goals and conceding 0 in their opening three group stage matches, Italy now look like genuine favourites for the crown. Here is our tactical analysis of Roberto Mancini's Italy after three matches at this summer's Euros.

Mauricio Pochettino – PSG – Tactical Analysis

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

Although Mauricio Pochettino hasn't had the best start to life with PSG, much hope and promise for the future remains, given his early time in charge so far and the team's form in the UEFA Champions League. The Parisians are yet to lose a game in the Champions League under Pochettino, and despite a disappointing loss to Lille in Ligue 1, remain in the hunt for a treble. The league title that the Argentinean desperately craved at Tottenham is still within reach, and will certainly come even if not this season. So with that, here is a Tactical Analysis of Mauricio Pochettino's PSG so far in 2020-21.

Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020 (100-81)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A, 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 footballers in the world for the year. This list takes into account a player's form in 2020 as it's primary mechanism, with reputation, club and national team success playing a role as well. So with that in mind, here is TheMastermindSite's Top 100 Male Footballers in the World for 2020.

Thomas Tuchel – Paris Saint Germain – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Managers, UEFA Champions League, World Football

For the first time ever, Paris-Saint-Germain have reached the final of the UEFA Champions League. Beating out Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 paved the way for PSG to play Atalanta and surprise semi-finalists RB Leipzig upon a return to the competition in August, where they now await German giants Bayern Munich in the final on Sunday. Under the fantastic management of Thomas Tuchel, PSG have been extraordinarily good. Some might argue that their path to the final was a tad easier than previous finalists of the competition, but it would be hard to argue PSG to be undeserving of their place in the final with such a star-studded lineup. The Ligue 1 champions have scored 25 goals in Champions League play thus far, conceding just 5 in the process. Here is a Tactical Analysis of Thomas Tuchel's PSG as we head toward the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League Final.

Top 100 Male Footballers 2019 (90-81)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A, 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 (90-81) below. 90. EDIN DZEKO 33-years old now, Edin Dzeko is still scoring goal after goal game after game. The 2018-19 Serie A season wasn't the Bosnian's … Continue reading Top 100 Male Footballers 2019 (90-81)

Doucoure, Weigl and Gueye? Why are PSG after a new defensive midfielder?

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, UEFA Champions League, World Football

It seems that one of the only stories to follow this winter in the January transfer window is the ongoing saga at PSG involving a new defensive midfielder. With the likes of Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot, defensive midfield has never been a problem area for Les Rouge-et-Bleu in recent years. However, all of … Continue reading Doucoure, Weigl and Gueye? Why are PSG after a new defensive midfielder?

Top 100 Footballers In The World 2018 (80-61)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, World Cup 2018, World Football

Here is the second batch of the Top 100 Footballers of the Year for 2018 - numbers 80-61. Enjoy! For more on what goes into determining The Mastermind’s Top 100 of 2018 click here. For the first set (100-81) click here!  80. Gonzalo Higuain  Why Gonzalo Higuain left Juventus for AC Milan is still a bit fuzzy. … Continue reading Top 100 Footballers In The World 2018 (80-61)