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Gabriel Martinelli: The Unconventional Road to the Top
The fact that Gabriel Martinelli is set to return from injury well ahead of schedule is no surprise to those who know the young Brazilian. The São Paulo-born forward has fought for everything he’s got in the game, working his way from amateur football in Brazil to the dizzying heights of the Premier League in…
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Tactical Analysis: Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
On November 20, Monaco welcomed Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Louis II, in search of a victory to continue their two-match winning streak. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked to build on their impressive form prior to the international break and add onto their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table. With star…
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Player Analysis: Orkun Kökçü
Inside the Grote Kerk church in Haarlem lies one of the world’s most famous organs. It is renowned for its decoration and has been played through the centuries by celebrated musicians such as Mozart. This city in the western Netherlands has a history of producing works of art and, in Orkun Kökçü, looks to have…
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José Mourinho: The Inter Years
At the end of August 2018, following a 3-0 defeat of Manchester United at home to Tottenham Hotspur, a frustrated José Mourinho quoted the German philosopher, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, in defence of himself when asked whether he was still one of the world’s great managers. “Did you read any philosopher? You spent time…
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How Unai Emery’s Villarreal Maneuvered Getafe’s 4-4-2 High Press
Out of all the 20 teams in La Liga, José Bordalás’s Getafe are the most antithetical to the possession-heavy style of play that has encompassed Spanish football over the past decade. Their extremely direct play in possession combined with their high intensity, physical pressing off the ball has been a constant menace for most sides…
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Tactical Analysis: Compactness and Coverage in Possession
The most cited quotation in tactical theory can be attributed to Johan Cruyff, who once said, “If you have the ball you must make the field as big as possible, and if you don’t have the ball you must make it as small as possible.” This is for good reason, as it encapsulates a…
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Player Analysis: Jack Grealish Under Gareth Southgate
One of the shining lights from England’s November Internationals was Jack Grealish’s prevalence as an important player for England manager Gareth Southgate. Previously, Grealish was very much on the fringes for the Three Lions after taking what felt like an eternity for him to get his first senior call-up. Over the last few years,…
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Are Alexandre Lacazette and Roberto Firmino Really Underperforming ? A Comparison With the Other No 9’s in the Premier League
Recently, when Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was bombarded with questions on Roberto Firmino’s diminishing goal-scoring record, he said: “I don’t have to say one word about Bobby Firmino and how important he is for us, I don’t waste time with that. He was in so many games the difference-maker without scoring maybe, I’m not…
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Jill Ellis: A Hero Born Out of Scrutiny
Prior to 2019, only one manager in the history of football had won two successive World Cups. That man was Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo, who led his nation to football’s biggest prize in 1934 and 1938. With a star cast at his disposal, his innovativeness was great to watch and he etched his name as one…
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The Redemption of Louis van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar
What can be said about Louis van Gaal? The legendary Dutch manager is a winner; a visionary; a stern pragmatist. No matter what way one looks at him, his brilliance precedes his arrogance, for success was never too far away from him. Early in his managerial career, he changed the method at Ajax, forming…
