Articles
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Tactical Analysis: Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3
When Mikel Arteta joined Arsenal as manager, he knew his work was cut out for him. Stepping into a team with a paltry win percentage of 34.6% while conceding 1.5 goals per game, the former Manchester City assistant coach initially sought to make the Gunners harder to beat with a 4-2-3-1. While this raised…
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Why Lazio Should Part Ways With Felipe Caicedo This Summer
It goes without saying that Felipe Caicedo has ultimately impressed (and taken many by surprise) since joining Lazio. Under Simone Inzaghi’s guidance, the 31-year-old striker has thrived (after a tough first season), becoming somewhat of a ‘reliable super-substitute’ off the bench for the Biancocelesti. For this, Laziali should always be thankful. However, as the…
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David Silva: Where Would the Legendary Midfielder Fit in at Lazio?
David Silva’s illustrious 10-year Manchester City career is coming to an end, as the Spaniard’s contract expires this summer. The attacking midfielder was one of the first true stars to buy into City’s ambitious plan to go from mid-table Premier League club to world beaters, and alongside the likes of Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, Yaya…
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Thomas Tuchel: The Making of Paris Saint-Germain’s Great Hope
In February 2001, Mainz, who were struggling in the second division of German football, made a tough decision and gave the coaching reins to an untested Jürgen Klopp, who formerly played for the club as a centre-half. This was a team on the wrong end of the table and giving the coaching job to a…
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Brenden Aaronson: America’s Next Star in Europe?
Brenden Aaronson could be the next MLS player to make a move to Europe this summer window. If reports are to be believed, the 19-year-old is being closely monitored by Bundesliga clubs Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hoffenheim and Freiburg, Scottish Champions Celtic and Belgian Champions Club Brugge. But who is the Philadelphia Union starlet, and why is…
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Analyzing Ronaldo Vieira’s Time at Sampdoria So Far
Lucas Torreira was a revelation when he played at Sampdoria and he earned plaudits for his ball-winning abilities as well as his effective ball distribution. The Uruguayan’s ability to fit into Blucerchiati coach Marco Giampaolo’s system kept Luca Cigarini out of the starting line-up, prompting the experienced playmaker to move to Cagliari after one season…
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North Ferriby FC 1-0 Cleethorpes Town: Villagers off and Running in Pre-Season
North Ferriby FC recorded their first win of the 2020/21 pre-season on Saturday afternoon at the Dransfield Stadium with a hard fought 1-0 win against Cleethorpes Town. The Villagers held their own against a side two divisions higher – in Northern League Division One – and it was Leigh Hutchinson who bagged Ferriby’s goal…
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Okan Buruk: The Man Who’s Delivered İstanbul Başakşehir to Greatness
Towards the end of the documentary “Sadio Mané: Made in Senegal,” the Liverpool forward enthused, “The only thing we have the freedom to do as men is to dream.” As Mané can attest, dreaming and living it are two different things. Fortune only favors the brave, as İstanbul Başakşehir manager Okan Buruk knows too…
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Why the 4-4-2 Is the Go-To Defensive Shape
“Great defensive play is mostly organisational and positional in the modern game,” argued Carlo Ancelotti in his 2016 autobiography Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches. Perhaps the most frequent gesture that comes from a manager on the touchline is a compressing of the hands to signal to a team to remain more compact.…
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Ollie Watkins: The Answer to Sheffield United’s Striker Predicament
Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League exceeded even the most hopeful Blades fans’s expectations. Most had predicted them to finish bottom of the league, and whilst a large majority applauded Chris Wilder in returning them to the top division for the first time in 13 years, it was widely believed that theirs was a…
