Some personal news….
I am delighted to be joining
@TheAthleticUK
. It’s finally a dream come true. Analysis pieces will be the main focus, plus much more!
Manchester United’s performance against Tottenham was their best in ages.
Erik ten Hag: “Our pressing organisation was fabulous, magnificent.”
Analysis of United’s pressing scheme, and how they stopped Tottenham from progressing the ball.
There’s too much chatter about Gundogan/Fernandinho/Rodri and who should have played, when that wasn’t Manchester City’s main problem. Their main issue was the disastrous pressing scheme used by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes, from quitting football to reaching his dream of playing in the Premier League.
A piece on what makes him so special for this Newcastle United side.
Four times in the post match press conference Guardiola talked about Manchester City's problems in the build up phase against Southampton. This draw was all about Southampton's pressing and their organization without the ball. Analysis
Erik ten Hag’s post-match comments were explicit, this Manchester United performance was a result of individual mistakes.
“I subbed three, but I could have changed them all”
Analysis of United’s horrendous performance against Brentford
USMNT’s wide rotations have been brilliant to watch in possession. This level of dynamism is good to see at international level and it got them the win over Iran.
Analysis of how USA’s left-side rotations helped them reach the round of 16.
The Manchester derby triumph was easy for City, a reflection of what happens when a well structured team faces a poorly structured team. Analysis of how City's positioning and movement in midfield provided total control.
Man City’s narrow full-backs was trialed last season, but it didn’t work out and was ditched.
Against West Ham, the narrow full-backs were back again. This time it was different
Analysis of how City’s narrow full-backs outplayed West Ham
Jurgen Klopp didn't like "that kind of football"--and tbf, each to his own--but Tottenham minimized Liverpool's threat in open play, forcing them into many low quality chances. The defending wasn't just about dropping into a static 5-4-1, it was dynamic.
During Manchester City's run in the knockout stages of the Champions League, two things stood out: their smart pressing schemes and the solidness of the defensive line.
Piece on how the four "proper" defenders helped City achieve Champions League glory.
Throughout the years, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have learned from each other.
In City's comeback against Palace, they used the Liverpool game as a reference.
Analysis of City's attacking approach
Manchester City's defence has been their cornerstone this season. They are however also getting better going forward, so what happened? Analysis of Manchester City's recent improvement in possession.
Thought City's performance on Saturday was brilliant, probably their best since Real Madrid at the Etihad.
Analysis of how their right side caused Newcastle numerous problems.
If you are a Premier League club, you need to work on your set pieces and/or hire a set-piece specialist.
Goals per 100 corners in the Premier League since 2007-08 📈📈📈
Brenden Aaronson was once again impressive vs Chelsea.
His intensity feels contagious. Yet, there's another aspect of his game which feels a bit overlooked--his quick decision making.
Analysis of how this fits perfectly with Jesse Marsch's Leeds United
After the Leicester game, Klopp knew what was coming.
"Set pieces…outstanding. It’s really tricky to defend Brentford without producing set pieces, but all set pieces are a real strength of them.”
Analysis of Brentford's corners against Liverpool
This was the first game back after the World Cup, but Man City’s 3-2-4-1 in possession was seriously impressive against Liverpool.
It’s not the first time they do it, but Gundogan and De Bruyne’s positioning caused serious issues for Liverpool.
In football, the methodical goes hand in hand with the unpredictable. "Chess, but with dice" as Peter Krawietz called it. The 2022 Champions League final couldn't frame it better
Arsenal's corners kicks will be important in their title charge.
“They (set pieces) are a big part of the game, in the Premier League especially." said Mikel Arteta last season.
Analysis of Arsenal's corner routines and the impact of Nicolas Jover.
Against Newcastle, Odegaard scored his 15th Premier League goal of the season — a brilliant left-footed shot.
But what's interesting is what Odegaard does before shooting.
That's half the trick.
Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia caused a lot of problems for Manchester United yesterday, especially in the first 30 mins.
Analysis of how Aston Villa's 4-2-2-2 under Unai Emery got the better of United.
Man City’s recent improvement in possession is based around 3 principles:
- Two wide men high up the pitch to stretch the opponent
- Overloading the midfield to provide constant passing options
- Any player can attack the central forward space if free and another will cover him
When it comes to set pieces, Newcastle United are showing their prowess in the Premier League this season.
A big part of that is because Eddie Howe and his staff “believe in them”.
Analysis of Newcastle’s short corner routines.
This was Manchester City's best performance this season, and ironically it was their exquisite pressing that stopped Chelsea on Saturday after their faulty pressing in Porto last May. Analysis of Manchester City's pressing scheme
When it comes to the Trent Alexander-Arnold England vs Liverpool debate, it feels like there are two definite camps.
Who is right? And who is wrong? The answer lies somewhere in between.
PSG felt like a side split into two. A team of 3 and a team of 8. Not sure this clunkiness is going to work against top oppositions. Analysis of how City exploited PSG's deficiencies
Can you guess how many games Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold started together on the right side of a 4-3-3 for Liverpool this season?
On Liverpool's right-side triangle and how it was important in the goals against Newcastle
Watching Chelsea vs Milan on Wednesday, the three set pieces Chelsea had in a row, and eventually scored from, were familiar.
That corner routine is one that Chelsea had used frequently before.
Analysis of Chelsea's special corner routine.
If you have ever played any form of football, short players are normally not the main focus on corners.
Despite that, they can still be dangerous.
Piece on how short players can be useful at corners.
"The emotion will be high, but just this isn’t going to beat a team like Real Madrid. We have to have a game plan. We have to execute it a little bit better than we did it in the first leg," said Pep Guardiola on Tuesday.
Analysis of City 4-0 Real Madrid
Chelsea’s last Premier League title was based around their usage of their wing backs. In search of their next PL trophy, they have evolved their wing backs. A look into how Chelsea are using their wing-backs differently to help them in possession
Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva's off the ball movement has been really impressive this season. A key part in Man City's effectiveness in the final third
Watching Chelsea for the last year or so always gives me the impression that Brighton slipped them the xG bug in one of those moves.
Piece on how against Aston Villa their attacking approach was correct, but the final execution failed them...once again.
When Pep Guardiola first came to England, he understood the importance of the second balls.
Four Premier League titles later, it’s Manchester City who are winning the second balls to maintain control of the game.
Understand the frustration towards Kai Havertz at times because of the missed chances…etc, but his work off the ball for Arsenal has been good this season — especially in the last couple of games.
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Why Manchester United's pressing was working against Brighton, then it wasn't. And how a tweak in Brighton's build-up gave them control of the game.
Analysis:
From king Leonidas to Thomas Tuchel: How depleted sides defend their land. Analysis of Chelsea's defensive structure in the second half against Liverpool
Was extremely impressed with Canada’s off-ball organization yesterday. An undeserved loss
Kevin De Bruyne: “We couldn’t break through the press”
Analysis of how Canada’s pressing and marking controlled Belgium, but one moment lost them the game.
Arsenal’s counter-pressing has been more effective this season.
Against Newcastle, it helped them maintain possession and limit the transitions.
They might need it in the next run of games.
W/
@johnspacemuller
116 Premier League goals have been scored from corners this season — including second phase.
Analysis of the 10 most innovative (and best executed) routines.
Newcastle's pressing is incredible this season. Their intensity off the ball limited Chelsea on Saturday, and the Joelinton-Willock rotations brought the winner.
Analysis of Newcastle's pressing scheme against Chelsea, and the Joelinton-Willock rotations
From a fan trying to understand the game on
@spielvercom
to an author there. Extremely happy to announce my debut for Spielverlagerung on how Spain changed their approach in possession after the draws against Sweden and Poland
In possession, Manchester City's left side had the key to unlock Real Madrid's block. Analysis of Zinchenko's role and how Foden and De Bruyne complemented it
Arsenal's flexible pressing out of possession, and their directness in reaching their wide players in possession produced one of their best halves this season. Analysis of a performance that probably deserved the 3 points
After eight minutes against Chelsea, Man City changed their shape on the ball by playing with wide full-backs and this was instrumental in the win.
Analysis of how City’s switch got the better of Chelsea.
Brentford's equalizer on Friday was a trademark Brentford second phase of a set piece goal. Their danger from the second phase of set pieces is probably second to none in the Premier League. A look into how they do it
“I always like to assist more than scoring. It gives me another feeling,” said Kevin De Bruyne.
Last Saturday, he became only the fifth player to assist 100 goals in the Premier League.
Breakdown of De Bruyne's 100 assists in the Premier League.
In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and recently Erling Haaland, Phil Foden stepped up in multiple attacking roles for City and has been one of their best performers this season.
Piece on Foden w/
@SamLee
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Newcastle's 1-0 win against Man Utd on Saturday was a complete display on and off the ball. Their high pressing was one of the many things Eddie Howe’s side got right, and it totally limited their opponent
Analysis of Newcastle’s pressing scheme ⬇️⬇️⬇️
This World Cup saw some memorable cutback goals, Blind and Depay vs USMNT and Alvarez against Croatia.
A look into the subtle rise of cutbacks at this World Cup w/
@MarkCarey93
Gareth Southgate's in-game management was put into question again yesterday, the difference between Croatia 2018 and yesterday was that Scotland came ready. Analysis of Scotland's impressive defensive performance at Wembley
Against Chelsea, Man City used a very similar pressing scheme to the one they used at Stamford Bridge. Both times to good effect. They also had a clear idea what to do once they had the ball. Analysis of City-Chelsea
A back pass from either Stones or Ake to Steffen was a pressing trigger for Liverpool. They scored a goal from it, but it also hampered City's build up. Analysis of Liverpool's pressing scheme in the FA Cup semi-final
Everton’s back-post corner under Sean Dyche has made them a threat from corners in the Premier League this season.
It’s a corner routine that Dyche and his staff have been using since their Burnley days.
How does it work? ⬇️⬇️
Viz credit:
@MarkCarey93
How Chelsea’s defensive organization limited Manchester City in the first half, before City found a solution in back-post crosses in the second.
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This season, Newcastle United’s pressing, wing-play and corner routines have caught the eye. But against Spurs, it was long passes behind the defence that gave them the edge.
Analysis of how Newcastle’s long passes caused problems for Tottenham.
Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham is what happens when an unstoppable force meets a very moveable object.
Fittingly, every goal Newcastle scored resembled an important part of their attacking game
Morocco are one of the most organized teams without the ball in the World Cup so far. They managed to limit Croatia’s midfield trio and this time it was Hazard and De Bruyne’s turn.
Analysis of how Morocco controlled Belgium’s 10s.
Often, the great tactical displays in football are attributed to the managers, and rightly so.
Yet, it’s important to remember that the players are the ones who are executing.
Piece on how the different players profiles affect tactics ⬇️⬇️⬇️