Articles
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Tactical Analysis: Chelsea vs. Ajax
The UEFA Champions League has given us some memorable nights in recent memory but few group stage matches have had anywhere near the madness, thrill and all-round quality that was on show when Frank Lampard’s high-flying Chelsea took on Erik Ten Hag’s league leading Ajax at Stamford Bridge. A game that began as usual at…
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Tactical Profiles – Inter’s Onslaught Under Conte
Inter Milan are – as everyone knows them – the team regularly touted to usurp the inevitable Italian champions Juventus, and ultimately suffer at the behest of their own incompetence. Everything post-Mourinho has led to the same question asked over and over and over; why can’t Inter do it? Why do they keep failing? Well,…
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Five U-21 players that can make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League
The Championship is a goldmine for young talent and the league keeps on churning out fantastic youngsters at an exceptional rate. The likes of Che Adams, Ezri Konsa, Lloyd Kelly and Daniel James made the step up to the Premier League in the summer and many more will follow suit in the coming transfer windows.…
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Tactical Analysis: MLS Semifinals
MLS Conference finals brought the fans two games who surprised everyone, with both favorite teams being knocked out of the competition and missing the 2019 MLS Cup final. A lot of credit has to be given to the Seattle Sounders, a team that is in great form, very organized defensively and with excellent attacking players;…
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What Colour Catcher’s partnership with Man City means for WSL
This summer’s Women’s World Cup tournament has had a lasting impact throughout the world of women’s football. From more coverage for domestic competitions to sell-out stadiums bringing in greater exposure, the platform for women’s football has grown from strength to strength. But one aspect that is yet to be given the same luxury is…
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Tactical Profiles – a Stampede in Gladbach
Welcome to a new special series on Breaking the Lines! This tactical insight, attempting to profile the most interesting and creative tactical thinkers in football is a new initiative that will feature on the site every couple of weeks. First up: Marco Rose. Having innovated his own aggressive style of Germany’s new-age style, Marco…
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Tactical Analysis: Manchester United vs. Liverpool
Ole Solskjaer’s Manchester United ended Liverpool’s winning streak at 17, denying the Reds a record equalling 18th victory in a fascinating tactical battle. Perhaps recognising that this team was nowhere close to going toe to toe with the reigning Champions League winners, the Norwegian set up his team in an ultra-defensive manner, and for the…
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After England-Bulgaria, it’s time for UEFA to stop playing the neutral
After the racist chants during the England vs. Bulgaria game, the impetus is on UEFA to act. When any football fan on Twitter saw that England vs. Bulgaria was trending last Monday, they could’ve interpreted it in several ways: perhaps England had bottled it against a national team far below their caliber; perhaps Raheem Sterling…
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Belotti ‘the rooster’ is crowing again
Following a couple of years where his form dropped off , Andrea Belotti is seemingly firing on all cylinders both with his club and national team again and that is welcome news. In the aftermath of Italy’s 5-0 victory over Liechtenstein, Belotti exclaimed that playing them “brings me luck”, and that is not something of…
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Why this month’s Clásico is in jeopardy
With just over a week remaining until one of the biggest match-ups in world football, it has become uncertain if the clash will forgo as planned due to political reasons. The lowdown The Barcelona-Real Madrid game was set to take place on Saturday 26th at 1pm Spanish time, but serious questions have been raised due to the possible altercations…
