Tag: Tactics

What’s Wrong With Adi Hütter’s Monchengladbach – Tactical Analysis

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

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)

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

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.

Marco Rose – Borussia Dortmund – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis

Four months on from Rose's first match in charge of the Black & Yellows, BVB continue to find their feet. They've already been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, and recently failed to capitalize on a crucial chance to go top of the table ahead of Bayern Munich. For Dortmund fans, there can only be so much optimism that the club remain in second place, yet again. Sooner or later, they are going to have to start putting up a genuine challenge for the title again. If not, Marco Rose will end up just being another in a long line of Dortmund failures. So with that, we take an in-depth look at how Marco Rose's Borussia Dortmund have performed in 2021-22, and what needs to change if the Black & Yellows are to challenge for the title.

MLS Playoff Final – Portland Timbers vs. New York City FC – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, World Football

After a demanding eight month season, Major League Soccer has officially come to a close for 2021, with New York City FC taking the crown as playoff winners. The final match was a highly contested affair between two teams scrapping every minute to claim victory for their team. While New York City FC dominated the majority of the match, they couldn't stop Portland from scoring a dramatic last minute equalizer, sending the match into extra time and later penalty kicks. Here is our analysis of the enthralling final MLS encounter of 2021.

Christian Streich – SC Freiburg – Tactical Analysis (2021-22 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Team Analysis

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.

Fred – Manchester United – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League

Since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2018, Fred has been under a microscope with each and every passing minute. Every action he takes on a football pitch seems to be scrutinized by those trying to justify his shortcomings, or those, like me, trying to justify why those shortcomings aren't actually so short. In recent weeks, the calls for Fred to be crowned one of United's most important players have only grown, as he performs a more attack-minded role within the team's double-pivot. So today, I present to you a dossier all about Manchester United's Fred, and why Manchester United would be worse without him.

Fox in the Box – November 2021

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Podcast, Premier League, Subscriber Exclusives

Magazine of November 2021! In this month's edition of Fox in the Box, we explore Antonio Conte's Spurs, Ralf Rangnick's potential for greatness with Manchester United, and a discussion about the Goalkeeper of the Year. Subscribe to our monthly subscription for $1.00 per month or login to your account, to view the magazine.

From Ferguson and Wenger to Guardiola and Klopp: How Formations Evolved Over Time

by TMS Staff, posted in Formations, Premier League

While star players may make the headlines, managers are the ones pulling the strings and dictating how the game is played. Over the years, the Premier League has seen countless shifts in the trends of managerial tactics, though there is one man who proved himself a world-leading shot-caller over the span of three decades: Sir Alex Ferguson.