Lazio kicked off the Maurizio Sarri era with a 3-1 win against newly promoted Empoli, where Sarri coached from 2012 to 2015 and led to promotion. Their final match before September’s international break saw them host Spezia, coached by Thiago Motta following Vincenzo Italiano’s departure to Fiorentina in the summer.   Whilst Spezia started in…

Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel share remarkably similar managerial paths. Both making their name under Bundesliga clubs Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel succeeding Klopp both times displaying he was never in the shadow of his predecessor.    Recognised for their fluid, innovative football epitomising the plethora of thriving German managers who have revolutionised the game…

On Saturday afternoon Liverpool and Chelsea faced off in this season’s first contest between two early title favourites. The first half of the match was exhilarating with both teams pressing aggressively and transitioning quickly in attack, but as so often is the case, the flow of the game completely changed as a result of a…

The departure of Pitso Mosimane from Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the build-up to the 2020/21 DSTV Premiership, as the reigning champions had to prepare for life without the stewardship of arguably the greatest manager in the club’s history.    Forward came co-head coaches Manqoba Mnqithi, Rulani Mokwena and senior coach Steve Komphela; the trio took over…

On Sunday afternoon, in the final match of the Premier League’s opening weekend, Tottenham  Hotspur hosted Manchester City in what was undoubtedly the most anticipated fixture of the round. Much of the pre-match discussion was around City’s new £100m signing Jack Grealish and Spurs’ Harry Kane, also touted with a move to the Citizens, but…

After a season that saw them claim their first-ever FA Cup triumph and come within inches of Champions League football, Leicester City have started their 2021/22 campaign off on the right foot. The Foxes defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield thanks to a late penalty from Kelechi Iheanacho, whilst they condemned Bruno Lage to…

The last match of the Iranian football competition in 2020/2021 was held Sunday in the “ Naqsh-e Jahan” Stadium in Esfahan, between Esteghlal & Foolad. Esteghlal finished the Iranian league in third place, and Foolad finished it in sixth place. This match was the final match of the Iranian “ Hazfi ” Cup, and the…

Football is often divided into the ‘four moments’ (in possession, out of possession, attacking transition, defensive transition) as a framework for analysis, however, by doing this, are we ignoring the complex, fluid nature of the game? Watching and analysing Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli (17/18 especially) and Italy at Euro 2020, alongside reading the intriguing Pep Confidential,…