Tag: Match Analysis

Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Premier League

"If Manchester City win the match, the title race is over." - every Premier League pundit in existence. Well, Manchester City didn't win the match, so what happens now? First of all, what a match. Second of all, I am of the firm belief that Manchester City thoroughly outclassed Liverpool on the day, and that Raheem Sterling should have been ruled onside from that VAR disallowed goal (surely it's too close to say clear and obvious?). But I digress. I am not here to talk about refereeing decisions. Instead, the tactics! So let's jump into it, and discuss whether or not the title race is over, or in fact, still with everything to play for.

Pacific FC 2-1 Forge FC – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Formations, Match Analysis, Most Recent, World Football

The Canadian Premier League's fourth season kicked off this past weekend, ending with a heavyweight fixture between last season's Playoff Final contenders. Despite Forge FC's dominance in the match, Pacific FC pacified much of Forge's central penetration, and were clinical in front of the goal in securing the win. Here is our match analysis.

Canadian Premier League Opening Weekend – Tactical Review

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Match Analysis, Most Recent, World Football

The Canadian Premier League is back! After just a few months away, the CPL finally has its second sense of normality for the first time since the inaugural season, with a full calendar of matches set to play. The opening weekend saw two fairly stale matches to kick off the campaign, but a repeat of last season's Playoff Final set to take place this Sunday brings hope for what is to come as we cover the tactics of each and every team this season. Here is our opening weekend tactical review of the Canadian Premier League's first four matches.

Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Debunking the 5-5-0

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, Match Analysis, Most Recent, UEFA Champions League, World Football

Knowing Pep Guardiola's level of footballing intelligence, we thoroughly trust his judgement. However, within the commentary surrounding what Atletico did on the day to achieve a result, as an undoubtedly all-out defensive approach, the 5-5-0 has become overstated - almost as a metric for evaluating Atletico's solidity. In actuality, the 5-5-0 rarely ever took centre stage.

How Crystal Palace shocked Arsenal – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Match Analysis, Premier League, Team Analysis

Under the influence of Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace have put on a show this season, beating several of the league's most formidable sides. Shock wins against Manchester City and Nuno's Spurs will live long in the memory of Palace fans, but few of their performances can top this past weekend, when they creamed Mikel Arteta's … Continue reading How Crystal Palace shocked Arsenal – Match Analysis

Costa Rica 1-0 Canada – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Managers, Match Analysis, 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.

Cruz Azul 3-1 Forge FC – Match Analysis

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

Forge FC might be out of the CONCACAF Champions League for now, but the club can be proud to have even gotten to this point, and to have put up such a strong showing across the two legs. For a club founded less than four years ago to go toe to toe with one of … Continue reading Cruz Azul 3-1 Forge FC – Match Analysis

Why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 – BVB 6-0 Gladbach – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Match Analysis, World Football

The main task of any manager in the modern tactical era is to implement a tactical system and style of play that simultaneously suits their own taste, while getting the best out of their best players, if not the entire squad. Marco Rose has rarely accomplished that feat this season, and would be wise to stick with the back-three in the future. Here is why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 in the future, following their 6-0 win over Gladbach on Matchday 23.