Articles
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The Rise and Fall of Bernard Tapie’s Marseille: Part 1: L’homme d’affaires
This is the first installation of a six-part series on Olympique de Marseille. You can read “Part 2: La Nuit Les Projecteurs Se Sont Éteints,” here. You can read “Part 3: Nuits Blanches Et Thés Frelatés,” here. You can read “Part 4: La Balance,” here. You can read “Part 5: Les Retombées,” here. You can read…
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The Rejuvenation of Manchester City
Last week, Manchester City won the Premier League for the third time in four years, without even kicking a ball. Leicester’s 2-1 win against United set in motion that trophy’s return to the Etihad in a matter of weeks. With the Carabao Cup and the league secured, much of the attention has turned to the…
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Tactical Analysis: Inter Milan and Defending in a 5-3-2
This article will investigate the 5-3-2 more abstractly, and subsequently use Antonio Conte’s Inter as a case study of the shape. Inter are the highest quality team currently operating with the shape and therefore can highlight its advantages to the greatest extent and reveal why playing in such a way is viable for runaway champions;…
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Gaziantep: The F1 Car That Turned Into a Tractor
“I left a Formula One car to him and he’s driving it like he’s a tractor. He’s a novice.” Those were the words of former Gaziantep manager Marius Șumudică, who was dismissed from his post in January due to disagreements with the club’s board, prior to a match between Gaziantep and Çaykur Rizespor on…
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The Outsiders for Euros Glory
We all love it when an outsider wins a major title. France, England and Belgium dominate the betting for the upcoming European Championships. They are all major contenders, but this looks a far more open tournament than that. Let’s look at some of the outsiders who could do well at Euro 2020. The Danish…
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Player Analysis: Carlos Mendes Gomes
Carlos Mendes Gomes, a player who played at Getafe and Atlético Madrid’s youth systems at the very highest level at 17 years of age, found himself playing for West Didsbury & Chorlton in the 10th division of English football. On 9 May 2018, Mendes Gomes signed a one-year deal with an option for another year with…
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Chelsea’s Defensive Shape Under Emma Hayes
Emma Hayes’ 2020-2021 WSL Super League campaign is nothing short of remarkable and is a resounding story of hard work and perseverance through a multitude of trials and tribulations. Hayes experienced both success and failure throughout her career which consisted of time spent in the United States in various football positions consisting of club, collegiate…
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Player Analysis: Nikola Vlašić
It’s said that every child mirrors their parents in both words and deeds. Examples are plenty worldwide, perhaps even for you and your parents. So how does this concept work when your father is a national decathlete and your mother a cross-country skier? Well, you follow in your father’s footsteps and earn yourself a couple…
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Tactical Analysis: Ajax’s 20/21 Double-winning Team
With a 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar 2 weeks ago, Ajax secured the league, completing their domestic double. This team played in the traditional Ajax way – dominating possession and defending on the front foot. Alongside some beautiful leaked kits for next season, playing with the style they have shown further cemented Ajax as one…
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Why Max Allegri, Football’s Modern-Day Misnomer, Remains Unemployed
Perhaps we ought to cut José Mourinho some slack for his constant style of play on the pitch, if not his constant style of management off it. For all the barrage the Portuguese manager gets for how his teams operate on the pitch these days, he probably should get sympathy for the age we’re in.…
