Tag: Tactics

Marcelo Gallardo – River Plate – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Subscriber Exclusives, World Football

In the managerial merry go round of the modern day world, Marcelo Gallardo is a rare example of a manager who has achieved success whilst staying at one club for almost the entirety of his career. The Argentinean has been with River Plate since 2014, winning 12 trophies during that time. He's constantly evolved his tactics throughout his time in charge, with the side looking very different today from when he first took charge back in 2014. Ahead of the 2021 season, here is a tactical analysis of Marcelo Gallardo's River Plate, from 2019-20.

FSV Mainz 05 1-1 Hertha Berlin – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Subscriber Exclusives

In Hertha Berlin’s first game in weeks due to a COVID-outbreak at the club, the Berlin based team failed to get a proper foothold of the game, but clung onto a 1-1 draw against a dominant Mainz 05 in good form. Here is our full analysis of the match between Mainz and Hertha BSC on May 3, 2021.

Schalke’s Devastating Fall From Grace – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Team Analysis

Once one of the Bundesliga's supreme outfits, Schalke 04 have had a devastating season in 2020-21, one of the worst performances of a team in the league's history. With four games still to play, The Royal Blues have already been relegated from the league, with just 2 wins and 13 points from their 30 matches. … Continue reading Schalke’s Devastating Fall From Grace – Tactical Analysis

Julian Nagelsmann’s principles of play – a natural fit for Bayern

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

Last week, Hansi Flick announced his decision to leave Bayern Munich come the end of the season. The likeliest man to come in and replace him? - RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann. But how would Julian Nagelsmann revolutionize Bayern Munich? These are some of the German's key principles of play and what he might add to die Roten next season.

Xavi Hernandez – Al Sadd – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Subscriber Exclusives, Team Analysis

Former Barcelona man Xavi Hernandez is widely considered one of the best midfielders of all time. In his hay-day with both Spain and Barcelona, Xavi formed one of the best midfield triads the game has ever seen, alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. He won twenty-five major trophies with Barcelona and three for Spain, before moving to Qatar ahead of the 2015-16 season. He then went on to finish his career in style, winning the Qatari league in his final season at the club in 2018-19. The very next season he was named manager of the squad and soon afterward completely revolutionized Al Saad into a near unstoppable unit in the QPL. The Spanish midfielder has quietly gone about his business at Al Sadd, playing in Guardiola-esque ways and doing del-Bosque-esque things, winning six trophies in two seasons so far. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the now 41-year-old, and in time we may see one of the game greatest ever midfielders become one of the game's greatest ever managers. Here is a tactical analysis of Xavi Hernandez's Al Sadd.

Mahmoud Dahoud’s Revival at Borussia Dortmund – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, German Bundesliga, Player Analysis

After moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, Mahmoud Dahoud failed to establish himself at the club season after season. At the time of his arrival, the German international was considered one of the very best midfielders in the Bundesliga, and Dortmund's €12million signing of the Syrian-born superstar was seen as an absolute coup. An obvious baller and astute passer, Dahoud lacked the engine and defensive fervidity that Dortmund desired in his early years at the club and couldn't find his way into the Dortmund lineup. He was constantly cast aside season after season for the likes of Witsel, Delaney, Weigl and Can, despite his obvious quality on the ball. This left many fans wondering - when will Mo Dahoud be given a chance to shine for Dortmund? That question has now been answered, thanks in large part to current Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.

Oliver Glasner – VFL Wolfsburg – Tactical Analysis

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

German football is becoming more and more populated with talented coaches hailing from one of the nation's noisiest neighbours - Austria. Oliver Glasner is the latest in a long line of stellar Austrian coaches in the Bundesliga, currently leading VFL Wolfsburg to amazing heights in his second season at the club. After much in the way of success with LASK Linz in the Austrian Bundesliga, Glasner joined Wolfsburg in 2019 and led them to a 7th place finish in his first season at the club. This season, the Austrian manager's taken Wolfsburg to new heights, with the club currently sitting in third place. The Volkswagen-owned club are now set for their best finish in years under the influence of Glasner, with the manager himself linked with some of the top clubs across the country. Here is a tactical analysis of Oliver Glasner's VFL Wolfsburg in 2020-21.

Paulo Fonseca – AS Roma – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Serie A, Subscriber Exclusives, Team Analysis

AS Roma are still far from the side they were many years ago, but they have enjoyed two of their better seasons over the last decade since Paulo Fonseca arrived at the club. The Portuguese manager came to Roma with a respectable reputation, having led Shakhar Donetsk to three league titles and a 74% win rate in his three seasons at the club. During his first season in charge at I Giallorossi, Fonseca led AS Roma to a fifth place finish in Serie A - securing Europa League football for the team. Roma have since performed well in the competition this season, with a semi-final against tournament favourites Manchester United to play for in the next few weeks. Their performances in the Europa League have outshone their relatively sub-par season in Serie A, with the side currently in seventh place. Nonetheless, if Fonseca's team were to pull out a miracle and make the Europa League final, this season would be seen as a complete success. With that, here is a tactical analysis of Paulo Fonseca's AS Roma this season.