Tag: Match Analysis

Creating balance in your analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Masterclasses, Most Recent

When conducting analysis in any setting, it's important to ensure a balance is met, in every sense of the word. That includes considering and dissecting more than just the in-possession moments, and what the camera wants you to see on first glance. That includes considering both the positives and the areas of improvement, whilst keeping feedback constructive and actionable. It's difficult for an analyst to achieve all of the necessary components of an outstanding analysis in one big bundle, but balance must be met regardless of time or place as part of that package.

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.

Game of Numbers – #1 – Lucas Paqueta & The Bernardo Silva Role

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League

In our latest analysis series: Game of Numbers, we break down the various tactical undertones of the modern game, most notably the roles that individual players hold on the pitch to help their teams explore avenues for greatness. Positions are often broken down into 'numbers' to describe the areas of the field that a player may operate. This series aims to illustrate the ever-changing, fluid nature of those roles, and the ways in which various footballing teams may use the same players in the same roles to completely different effect. This is Issue No. 1, featuring the following: Lucas Paquetá & The 'Bernardo Silva Role', Joachim Andersen's 'Quarterback' Role vs. Arsenal, and Musiala's Masterclass vs. Eintracht Frankfurt.

Vincent Kompany’s first game at Burnley – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Team Analysis

After a decade of Sean Dyche, Burnley have officially kicked off a new era with Premier League legend Vincent Kompany. The Clarets played admirably in their first Championship match since 2016, with a new set of tactics on full display. Kompany's bright start got off without a hitch - his team achieving a brilliant 1-0 victory over last season's Playoff Finalists. Here is our in-depth analysis of Burnley's 1-0 win over Huddersfield on the opening day of the 2022-23 EFL Championship season.

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final – England 2-1 Germany – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Women's Football

England have finally done it. For the first time since 1966, England have won a major international tournament. Sarina Wiegman's team have been the undeniable best team at this summer's Euros, conceding just 2 goals, and scoring 22 in the process. After a hard-fought battle with Germany in the final, England came out as deserved winners of the tournament, but not without the help of their mighty substitutes. Here is our analysis of the match, and the brilliance of England all summer long.

England 2-1 Spain – UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Women's Football

What an exhilarating game. England and Spain have been two of the best teams at this summer's European Championships, and the quarter-final match-up between the two heavyweights proved to be one of the best in recent memory. Both teams left absolutely everything on the pitch, pushing and probing for the win the entire 120 minutes. In the end it was the Three Lionesses that pulled off the impressive result in extra time, with Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh leading the charge to victory. Here is our analysis of the fiery affair.

USA 1-0 Canada – CONCACAF W Final – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, NWSL, Women's Football

Any time Canada and the States face off in women's football, fireworks are bound to explode. With the likes of Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle and Christian Sinclair in full flow, the CONCACAF Women's Championship Final proved to be an exciting encounter, filled with heart and desire en route to an American victory. Here is our analysis of the fascinating final.

The difference between seeing and understanding in analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis

When it comes to analysis, it's no secret that the goal is to think on a deeper level, scrutinizing over the finer minutia beyond what you see at first glance. But it's also no secret that this skill takes dedicated time and energy to learn. A lack of deep tactical understanding about the game often comes at a cost to coaches and amateur analysts. They are adequately able to perceive events on a football pitch, but they may be unsure of how to change what they are seeing for the better, or even fully comprehend what they are seeing to the level required. Coaches in my Mentorship Program often ask me - "How do you go from seeing to understanding?" Well that, my friends, is what we're after today. In this series of notes, I'm going to give you a series of images and videos, where you can go from seeing, to understanding. If you've been doing analysis for years, no worries, this will still be an excellent way for you to practice and refine your skills.