Cagliari, from relegation contender to must-watch team in Serie A
Playing some of the most entertaining football in Europe while getting all-important results, watching Rolando Maran’s Cagliari has been a joy this season. Undefeated in their last 10 league matches, the high flying Sardinians currently occupy equal third on the Serie A table courtesy of…
How Jorge Jesus turned Flamengo into a title contender
In little over three months of work, Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus can safely say that he has won the hearts of the fans of the Brazilian team with the largest following. At the helm of a Flamengo that’s a semi-finalist in the Copa Libertadores and…
Andrea Maldera – the match analysis evolution and working with ‘Sheva’ in Ukraine
Have you noticed one emerging national team in the European landscape recently? Of course, we’re talking about Ukraine, that has won the U20 FIFA World Cup last June and that is currently leading the European qualifiers’ Group B. A few months ago, we had the…
United’s star man: how Paul Pogba has been revitalized by Ole Solskjaer
Ahead of Manchester United‘s colossal Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, we look at their masterful midfielder Paul Pogba and why he’s such a key figure for the Red Devils. Given much greater freedom and scope to express himself, Paul Pogba’s been superb since Ole…
Penalties aren’t a lottery anymore
If there’s an aspect of football that has always had a feature of unpredictability, that has to be the penalty kick. Whether is kicked during a World Cup final or a youth tournament, penalties have always been considered some sort of random lotto and that’s why…
Pedro Leon’s Movement is such a weapon for Eibar
Pedro Leon’s amazing season at Eibar has not only seen him be his team’s outstanding player, but also one of the finest in La Liga.
André Silva: an insight on the new AC Milan’s striker
In this intense start to the summer transfer market, Milan has signed the second most expensive player in its history.
Abraham’s Movement Impresses for England’s U21s
Despite England’s U21s being unable to overcome a defiant Swedish outfit, the performance of Tammy Abraham offered plenty of optimism for Aidy Boothroyd’s side looking ahead.
Ricardo Quaresma Key in Besiktas’ Title Winning Season
Ricardo Quaresma’s strong from this season was certainly a key element in Besiktas winning yet another Turkish Super Lig title.
Modric and Kroos Crucial in Real Madrid’s Triumph
Real Madrid put in a fantastic performance to overcome Massimiliano Allegri’s brilliant Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League final. And while every player in Zinedine Zidane’s team were excellent, the importance of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos deserved special mention yet again.
Bayer Leverkusen exploit central attacking areas expertly vs Herta
After a turbulent season that has been full of negativity and even featured a relegation scrap, Bayer Leverkusen ended the campaign in fine style by defeating Hertha Berlin 6-2.
Mourinho’s excellent match preparation in Europa League Final
The challenge between Josè Mourinho’s pragmatism and Peter Bosz’s offensive idealism followed a basic script to the letter: Mourinho gave the ball to Ajax (31% total possession, the lowest percentage in a European final along with Simeone’s Atletico in 2012 and his own Inter in 2010), leaving Bosz’s team dealing with the question of what to do with it.
Victor Sanchez’s Multifaceted Movement Key in Espanyol’s Build-Up
Whenever the Catalans looked to pass out from the back, Victor Sanchez’s clever variations in his movement successfully saw him position himself astutely to help his side progress upfield.
Dani Alves: technical overview of Coppa Italia decisive player
Dani Alves, once again, proved to be decisive in the most important moment.
After the double semi-final against Monaco where he stood out for his active contribution to all four Juventus goals, he also made the difference in Coppa Italia.
Jonny Evans: one of the finest defenders in Europe
Jonny Evans’ excellent performance vs Chelsea yet again solidified why he’s one of the finest defenders in the English Premier League.
Ziyech’s play in Ajax offensive strategy
Ajax is the fashionable team of this Europa League edition thanks to Hakim Ziyech and its very young formation and philosophy of offensive play.
Anthony Modeste continues his sensational form for Koln
Players that truly know how to play football know how to correctly interpret whether they are in a positional superiority even if they are in a numerical inferiority. In the same way as to whether they are in a positional inferiority they perceive whether they are in a numerical superiority..
Barcelona’s build-up vs Espanyol
Players that truly know how to play football know how to correctly interpret whether they are in a positional superiority even if they are in a numerical inferiority. In the same way as to whether they are in a positional inferiority they perceive whether they are in a numerical superiority..
Champions League top 3 goalscorers: a look at the numbers
While it’s not entirely surprising to see Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski and PSG’s powerhouse Edinson Cavani occupying the top three spots in this season’s Champions League goalscoring chart, it’s interesting to analyse the numbers behind their success.
Unique new experience on training and match analysis with Wyscout – Spiideo partnership
Wyscout, the leading professional digital platform for football clubs, together with Spiideo, provider of state of the art sports video recording and analysis solutions, today announced the signing of a global partnership agreement
Juventus’ flexible defensive system vs Barca
Juventus will be in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the second time in the last three years, fortified with a defence that has non conceded a goal for 531’ consecutive minutes.
Lionel Messi’s dribbling wizardry vital in Barca’s Clasico triumph
Lionel Messi ‘s scintillating dribbling qualities yet again had a profound impact in Barcelona’s entertaining 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Clasico
Anderson Talisca’s Masterful Movement a Huge Asset for Besiktas
Despite Besiktas leading the majority of their Europa League quarter-final first leg match with Lyon, they devastatingly lost 2-1, succumbing to two late goals from the home side. The loss still wasn’t enough to take the shine of yet another impressive performance from their wildly gifted attacking midfielder..
Alan Carvalho’s nifty runs in behind crucial for Guangzhou Evergrande in derby
Guangzhou Evergrande went into their derby with Guangzhou R&F expecting to take home all three points, but even though they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw, the performance of their Brazilian forward, Alan, still gave their supporters plenty to cheer about..
Andrea Belotti: the symbol of the modern centre forward
According to Fabio Capello, he has everything it takes to become even better than Gabriel Batistuta. According to the Torino president, the €100 million release clause is almost reductive based on the value of the player. According to many, Italy has found the centre forward of the future. He is Andrea Belotti, Serie A top goalscorer, tied with Edin Dzeko at 23 goals in 27 matches. An absolute protagonist of the season, he boasts 25 goals out of a total of 30 matches played with Torino, 28 in 37 matches if we also consider the National team, on which he has become a starter.
Hoffenheim’s Defensive Structure Disrupts Hertha’s Build-Up
Hoffenheim continued their remarkable season under their young managerial hotshot, Julian Nagelsmann, by brushing aside Hertha Berlin 3-1 on Friday night. The win now means Die Kraichgauer have collected their most ever Bundesliga points in a season, plus moves them into third place on the table..
Raheem Sterling’s Strength in 1v1 Duels nicely served at City
It’s been fascinating to observe Raheem Sterling’s development under the tactically sophisticated methods of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Having a youngster with such raw talent, who he’s been able to mould and further improve, has seen Guardiola really, especially in recent months, get the best of the enormously gifted 22-year-old.
Monaco’s Counter-attacking strategy
It might happen that coaches want to control the game at the point that it’s not straightforward anymore. Above all and in my view, the game of football is a “living organism” that some coaches do not let happen naturally, like what happens in street football, where in any space creativity is found and made to be found..
Karim Benzema key movements during Real Madrid counter-attack
Very few teams in the world are as dangerous as Real Madrid in counter-attack. The technical and athletic dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale obviously plays a key role, but Real’s counter-attack would not be as effective without Karim Benzema..
Trigueros’ role in Villarreal offensive action against Seville
In the match between Seville and Villarreal, with the home team dominating the ball, Villarreal had in Manu Trigueros the player with the difficult job of maintain possession after recovering the ball..
Three offensive strategies to face opponent’s high press
Only some teams manage to create a sufficient temporary spatial advantage for coming out to play, with quality, in the 1st building-up phase..
Senegal’s Mané and Keita special offensive transition
In a competition like the African Cup of Nations (CAF), where the balance is traditionally shifted by the expectation of technical or athletic ..
Mourinho’s tactical flexibility as key factor for Man United race
Understanding the culture, context, club, coach and player is shown to be fundamental today when beginning any training process and simultaneously any analysis of the game..
MLS Cup Final Recap: Technique and tactics behind the game
Technique, as the ninth commandment of Cruyff says, is the base. It is a simple concept in appearance only …
Everton vs Swansea 1-1: analysis of Ronald Koeman’s team
It all looked so rosy at Goodison Park back in mid-September.
How to study the offensive game in football: a case study of EPL teams
Any team in the World that has possession of the ball is going to try to create the best situations to be able to have success.
Bournemouth vs Sunderland: An Unexpected Win
It finally happened. After eleven games and what felt like an eternity of pain and frustration, Sunderland won a game of football.
Are Leicester Turning The Corner?
Leicester City picked up their first away point of the season last weekend and they did it by…
Amine Harit young, gifted and french
At nineteen years of age, Amine Harit’s playing style does not hinge on dribbling, although he has excellent leg work and top shelf technique at high speed. His coach at Nantes, René Girard, does not consider him a young player to adapt little by little, but rather a footballer capable of covering all the positions in the midfield, reliable enough to be..
How Benitez is fixing Newcastle
Football is a chaotic game that, in spite of efforts from the richest clubs and certain cowed governing bodies to ensure otherwise …
Studying The Game As An Interaction
How can you identify what is effectively happening in the game?
How to use the screen passing to score
At the second stop of the season, the only true surprise in the rankings is Chievo.
Swansea’s Pressing vs Man City Nearly Paid Off
Poor Francesco Guidolin. The Italian manager saved Swansea from relegation last season (with a bit of help from Alan Curtish while he was fighting off serious illness) but he’s in a lot of trouble now.
How to gain control in the box area
After the defeat to Manchester City in the Theatre of Dreams, my attention quickly focused on how José Mourinho would turn around the least positive cycle…
How has Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman role changed after the injury?
It is strange to think that this is Kevin Strootman’s first season as a starter since 2013/2014. Two years ago, the Dutchman was a very different player. His two cruciate ligament knee injuries took away his explosiveness and the physical strength of his first year,…
Everton: What has changed under Koeman?
By the end of his tenure, Everton were playing such miserable football that sacking Roberto Martinez became the merciful, as well as the necessary, thing to do.
How is Mike Phelan saving Hull City: tactics and key players
Hull City started the season with 12 fully fit senior players, a caretaker manager, absolutely no votes of confidence from the media, and yet with two wins…
Psg and Man United formula to control the opponent and avoid counter-attack
The offensive set-up of any team shall depend on the technical quality of its executors…
Oliver Burke at RB Leipzig: strength, speed and individual technique
19 year-old Oliver Burke, sold by Nottingham Forest to RB Leipzig for €15.2 million this summer, became the most expensive Scottish player in history.
What should Arsenal expect from new-look Southampton
After what was, for the most part, yet another anxious transfer window, Arsenal’s supporters now find themselves in a curious position.
Ivan Jurić’s Genoa after Gasperini: new attacking tactics and formation
The beginning of a new cycle for Genoa involves some softer and expected changes…
Ancelotti’s Bayern uses PEP Guardiola strategy vs Bremen: “Salida de balón”
Carlo Ancelotti appeared at the presentation press conference before the reporters and his new fans, stating: “I will not drastically…
Fullbacks’ role in Pep Guardiola Tactical System
At FC Barcelona Pep Guardiola started to revolutionise the way of envisaging football, through the positional play that is characteristic of him. He drew inspiration from his coaches and he evolved…
Spurs look ahead to Liverpool match with new signing Janssen and Wanyama
By the standards of this particularly excitable transfer window, Tottenham’s summer captures have been markedly low key. Maurico Pochettino…
Backline build-up: Guardiola, Emery, Sampaoli and De Boer’s teams
Guardiola, Emery and Sampaoli choose to seek superiority building up with the two centre defenders and a midfielder who drops back between the two to act as playmaker.
Manchester City new striker Gabriel Jesus
You can certainly see why Original Ronaldo (Originaldo, if you will) sees so much of himself in Manchester City’s new signing Gabriel Jesus.
Reinventing teams’ tactics: 3 top managers in the EPL
All the high-performing football teams in the world reinvent their self when new players join them. Clubs necessarily experience transformations so that this results in a sustained performance – if possible with quality play.
Awareness: How to defend on the opposite half
In order to describe how marking can best work as a fundamental defensive tactic, we used Hummels, a centre back who came up under the leadership of three great coaches…
Pjanic and Benatia’s Juventus: New roles, tactics and strategy vs Tottenham
Juventus is one of the big players in the European transfer market. While waiting to see the last great coup, Higuain, along with Dani Alves and Pjaca, for the first time, Allegri had the chance…
Features for goalkeeper coaches in the new Wyscout 5
It is something more than an intuitive software and than a simple to use tool available to technical staff. The Wyscout platform is a loyal co-worker…
New Italy coach Giampiero Ventura: strategy and formation of the team
Although they particularly stress a clean ball coming from the defence, Conte and Ventura’s teams do not play…
Reviewing a game: Was England vs Iceland as bad as people said?
Three weeks have passed now since Iceland beat England in Nice. But was it really as bad a performance as…
Portuguese tactical resilience
Fernando Santos managed to fit his best players into the right positions in a balanced and sustained manner, even though there had been tactical indecisions and changes within the team.
Euro 2016 final: Where it went wrong for France?
The final of the European Championships was, it is fair to say, no classic. But it could have been even worse. It should have been even worse.
4 ways to get the most out of your Wyscout platform
Tools like Wyscout can make it easier to at least keep abreast of the important things. And here are four ways it helps me.
Evolution of Chile’s pressing from Marcelo Bielsa to Juan Antonio Pizzi
For the second year in a row, Chile has won Copa América in the final against Argentina. The first two titles in Chile’s history have roots…
Twin strikers: Combined movements in the central area and defensive mistakes
The choice made by Italy and France, respectively against Spain and Iceland, was to focus on offensive development in the central area in order to…
Building-up with 3 centre-backs
There are different approaches at the start of the offensive process (1st phase): while some coaches prefer a more fixed backline…
Three types of goalkeeper’s offensive transition
The offensive transition phase with a counter attack that starts with the goalkeeper is much more articulated and requires organisation…
Conte’s great tactical performance behind Italy’s win over Spain
It seems strange now to recall Antonio Conte’s gloomy forecasts for his nation this summer. Far from a lone voice, the Italy boss….
Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey: Solidity and tactical balance
If the man of the hour for Wales’ miracle is Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey is playing a role that is just as fundamental.
Portugal team tactical identity at Euro 2016
In Portugal’s first two games their opponents’ pragmatism (Iceland and Austria) enabled the coach Fernando Santos to see they must have greater judgement in the offensive third.
Positional play and build up: Diaz role in Chile’s team
Looking at the images from the Mexico-Chile match, it is clear how the key to interpretation for Chile revolves around Diaz. We can identify two build-up models that combine continuously: positional play and building up.
Match analysis: Belgium vs Italy
So much for the theory that Italy were heading for yet another early tournament exit. Having been knocked out in the group stages of the last two World Cups, the chances are that this will be an altogether more pleasant summer for Italy. Manager Antonio Conte takes tactical preparation very seriously.
Defence in situations of (apparent) inferiority: 2 v 1+ GK
The complex approach to the game of football forces us to face a series of questions and priorities. Collective tactic and Individual tactic or Individual tactic and Collective tactic? Which order? Which priority? When the order of the items is changed, the result – in this case – changes, and not by a little.
Individual movements to confuse the opposing team
It often happens during important competitions like the ones that are currently taking place – Copa America and Euro 2016 in particular – that the curiosity about which play strategies will prevail works its way into football enthusiasts’ debates. What is sometimes forgotten is that the individual plays will be the ones that really make the difference. And quite often, even if the most superficial spectators do not realise it, every single play is the result, especially for the most organised teams, of specific drills that are run dozens and dozens of times in training.
Germany’s strategy without Philipp Lahm
For the first time since the 2002 World Cup, Germany will play in an international tournament without Philipp Lahm. The German national team lost not only its captain, but also a tactically fundamental player who left no heirs. After all, can a back be replaced who, according to Pep Guardiola, has the same football intelligence as Iniesta?
Analysis of euro 2016 teams: Ukraine
When you’re this close to the start of a major international tournament, most avenues have already been explored. We know the favourites: France; Spain and Germany. We know the nations that have it within them to win, but probably won’t: Belgium; Italy and England. We know the dark horses: Austria; Croatia and Poland. We even know the minnows: Albania; Hungary and Northern Ireland. But what about the middle ground? What about the teams with just a puncher’s chance of glory? What about Ukraine?
England’s 3 moves to defend from a corner kick
Great international events have always been a time of growth and innovation. At the threshold of this Euro 2016 competition, it would have been difficult to hypothesise any significant changes because, without even realising it, we have gone through a change of an era over the last two years, coinciding with the last World Cup. Germany was the country able to absorb the Spanish influence and transform it into a football style with vertical possession, sprinting and aggressiveness.
France offensive strategy at Euro 2016
The 2015/2016 season was Karim Benzema’s best since he has been with Real Madrid. He scored a goal every 83 minutes in la Liga, in addition to the 4 on the path toward La Undecima. Under normal circumstances, after a year like that, Benzema would no doubt have been the star of the home Euro 2016 for the favoured French team.
Analysis of Euro 2016 teams: Slovakia
It has been assumed in some quarters that England have an easy first round group in France. Russia are old, so the argument goes, Wales are too reliant on Gareth Bale and Slovakia are…well…Slovakia.
Principles of a fluid and complete team
After meeting Foggia on the first day of Coppa Italia, I am seeing a more mature team, more aware of their own qualities. A team that I would define as fluid, able to mould endlessly with respect to the various play situations.
Tactical analysis of the Champions League final
Football is the most seen sport worldwide and it doesn’t share out its glory. Real Madrid won! The 11 times Champions of Europe, 5 times of which were in the last 20 years…remarkable. What were the most significant tactical aspects in this Spanish final of the Champions League?
5 types of throw-ins and defensive techniques
We have classified 5 types of throw-ins (long, to change game play area, to win the finishing area, to develop the strong side and fast solution) and we asked ourselves what the difficulties are in defending this solution.
Analysis of trident tactical formation and set up
In Italy, 4-3-3 is a formation historically associated with Zdenek Zeman, who believed that it was the best way to set up the pitch in order to continuously form triangles and generate multiple passing solutions. In recent seasons, a Zeman pupil has been emerging who, after years of work at Sassuolo, managed to forge his own way, finding a balance between the defensive and offensive phases: Eusebio di Francesco.
Analysis of Euro 2016 teams: Romania
Romania’s strengths are obvious to anyone who has taken a glance at their qualifying campaign. They finished their group unbeaten, having conceded only two goals in ten games. And when you watch them, it doesn’t take long to see why.
Analysis of Higuain play: Positional superiority and counter-movement
36 goals in Serie A. No one like him in the history of the Italian league. This is Gonzalo Higuaín’s incredible score in the premiership league. A player who, under Sarri’s direction, found his second youth, showing the world how, as an excellent player, with hard work and the support of a great team, you can become a top player.
Why Sevilla is ready to re-write Europa League history
Sevilla are re-writing the history of European football by reaching the final of the Europa League. During their previous two matches the team, led by Unai Emery, was victorious.
Let’s have a closer look at the second semi-final of their Europa League game with Shakhtar Donetsk and see where Sevilla’s strength truly lies.
Suso’s movements in Genoa scheme
Jesús Fernández Suso, who joined Genoa on loan from Milan last January, is just the last name in the list of players relaunched by Gian Piero Gasperini (among the others, Marco Borriello, Thiago Motta and Diego Milito, or more recently M’Baye Niang, Diego Perotti and Leonardo Pavoletti). Suso played a big part in Genoa’s good results in the second part of the season, which saw the Rossoblu climbing the league table from the 17th to the 10th place.
Analysis of Euro 2016 teams: Albania
Of all the teams heading to France for the European Championships, Albania have surely the most fascinating back story. They’ve never qualified for a major tournament before. They’ve only ever
qualified for two youth tournaments before.
How to create space into the opposite half of the pitch
A vital behaviour in players that occupy areas between backlines and that appear in spaces on the wings is without doubt, playing with the “blind” side of players that come out to apply pressure on the player in possession of the ball. Besiktas managed to apply this principle at some points during the game.
How to prepare offensive strategy studying the opposing goalkeeper
In today’s article we would like to offer a point of view that can help you plan out your week. Video analysis and studying the opposing team are no longer new
ideas, but nevertheless, analysing the tactics chosen by the goalkeeper does not always lead to adequate measures.
Portland Timbers find their groove in a 2-1 success over Toronto FC
As title defences go, Portland Timbers effort had thus far fallen into the ‘Chelsea’ category. Victors over Columbus Crew on the opening day of the season (a replay of the 2015 final and with the same score too) gave a false read for the weeks ahead.
Space and movement as key-factors to improve performance
A Roma team fully in the running for second place that, under Spalletti’s direction, has rediscovered energy and organisation, so much that they have brought home eleven consecutive wins.
Match analysis: Atlético Madrid vs Bayern Munich 1-0
Due to various reasons there are teams that rebuild their squads. In some cases they decide to change or rebuild because the performance that they have obtained has been below the created expectations.
Impressive LA Galaxy win over Real Salt Lake
For the uninitiated, there is much that separates Major League Soccer from other notable leagues around the world. There is the single entity business structure, the draft system, the designated star player policies. But most of all, in these opening weeks, there is the sense that no team is considerably better than any other. At least, that was the case until this weekend when LA Galaxy faced the undefeated Real Salt Lake and pulled their pants down in front of everyone.
Set pieces as determining factors: How the Champions League semi-finalists defend
In matches that are more and more played at the limit and battled out in episodes, set pieces could be determining factors in shifting balances.
Match analysis has a dual value: on the one hand, understanding what current defensive organisation trends are and on the other, understanding where Real, Atletico, Bayern and Manchester City can try to build their offensive plays.
What made the difference in Roma vs Napoli match
Are the most entertaining matches the ones between the big teams that end 5-0 or maybe 4-3 or perhaps the ones that end 0-0 or with a win that was just barely pulled off?
Tactical analysis of FC Barcelona weaknesses vs Valencia
Even with the best players in the world on the roster, the lack of lucidity cannot help but accompany the negative dynamic instead of reversing it.