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İlkay Gündoğan: Barcelona’s Free Transfer Turned MVP
Joan Laporta has not been shy about bringing in free transfers to bolster Barcelona’s squad since his reelection as the Blaugrana’s president in 2021. Given the financial circumstances of the club he inherited, adding quality players without paying an exorbitant transfer fee is probably one of the most shrewd maneuvers one could make. During his…
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Javi Guerra: The Mestalla Product Shining for Valencia
Club: Valencia Nationality: Spain Position(s): CM, DM, AM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 6’2”/187cm Age: 20 Strengths: ball-carrying, dribbling, long-range shooting, power, stamina, passing, long passing, positioning, tackling Areas for Development: box-crashing volume From Kang-in Lee to Isco, from David Silva to Carlos Soler, Valencia’s academy continues to churn out stellar midfield profiles, and the…
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Yarek Gasiorowski: Valencia’s Teenage Gem in Defense
Club: Valencia Nationality: Spain Position: CB, LB Preferred Foot: Left Height: 6’3”/190cm Age: 19 Strengths: aerial duels, box defending, anticipation, line-breaking passes, ball-carrying, athleticism Areas for Development: aggression/positioning From David Silva to Isco, from Ferran Torres to José Gayà, Valencia have produced a litany of world-class footballers over the past few decades that have…
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Toni Kroos: Redefining the Regista Role with Elegance
Throughout the 2023-2024 season, Toni Kroos showcased his regista credentials with unparalleled finesse. Across 23 appearances, he seamlessly navigated the midfield, accumulating a total playing time of 1539 minutes. This not only highlighted his durability but also underscored his unwavering commitment to controlling the game from a deeper position, a hallmark of the regista role.…
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Tactical Analysis: Javier Aguirre’s Mallorca
Founded in 1916, Real Club Deportivo Mallorca had to wait until the 1990s for their time in the spotlight. The Balearic side reached the 1990/91 Copa del Rey Final, with Alfredo’s 111st-minute goal seeing Atlético Madrid prevail 1-0 at the Bernabéu. Between 1997 and 2003, Mallorca finished third in La Liga on two occasions, won…
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Brahim Díaz: The Swiss Army Knife of Attackers
Christian Bale, cinnamon, the Swiss Army Knife, Brahim Díaz: all known for their versatility. Wait, hold on. Brahim Díaz? That’s right. He might not have the public perception like the others, but his versatility across the front line has been key to Real Madrid’s La Liga title charge and Champions League run. However, it has…
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Pau Cubarsí: Barcelona’s Latest Homegrown Gem at the Back
Pau Cubarsí Paredes was born on 22 January 2007 in Estanyol, a small town in Girona. A boy of 1.85 metres who is standing out in FC Barcelona. Cubarsí is a modern central defender, known for his leadership, good ball control and forcefulness in defensive actions. He began his formative years in football at FC…
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Samuel Omorodion: Spain’s Next Top Striker?
It has been nothing short of a meteoric rise for Samuel “Samu” Omorodion Aghehowa. Born in Melilla, Spain to Nigerian parents, Omorodion moved to Maracena, a municipality of Granada, at a young age. After progressing through the ranks at AD Nervión for six years, he joined Granada’s academy in 2021, eventually making his senior debut…
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Andriy Lunin: The Ukrainian Making a Name for Himself in Goal at Real Madrid
Andriy Lunin has quietly become the best shot stopper in the world. He has done it in a relatively under-the-radar fashion as well. While the 6’3” Ukrainian is not without deficiencies, he’s certainly earned a first choice spot somewhere when Thibaut Courtois returns to fitness next campaign. Let’s explore how someone in a club as…
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Striving to Reclaim a Sense of Self – The Quest for Total Football in Barcelona
A 97′ penalty sealed a much-needed 2-1 road victory for Barcelona against Celta Vigo in the latest installation of La Liga’s weekly opera. It was a welcome three points that allowed marginal breathing space between themselves and the imposing figure of Atlético Madrid in fourth position. But it was yet another goal conceded in a…
