After controversially receiving a 3-0 defeat and being deducted a point for failing to play their scheduled match against Juventus, Napoli thrashed Atalanta in a match that was expected to be a close contest. Poor structure and individual errors from Atalanta saw Napoli score four goals in the first half and put the game to…

With Inter looking to challenge for the Scudetto while playing adventurous and risky football and Milan seeking to continue their great form under Stefano Pioli, the first Derby della Madonnina of the season both promised and delivered.   The defining individual on the night was Zlatan Ibrahimović, who at 39 years of age, spearheaded Milan…

Returning from the October international break, Chelsea hosted Southampton on Matchday 5 of the Premier League. Having lost 2-0 to Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side on Boxing Day, Frank Lampard was looking to come up with a victory this time around, and with six new players in the line-up, Southampton faced a different beast at the Stamford…

Manchester City took on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. In the last meeting between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, Arteta’s side restricted City with their 5-4-1 formation and punished them on the counter, resulting in a 2-0 win and taking Arsenal through to the FA Cup Final.   In truth, Saturday’s match…

Mikel Arteta has had a promising start to life as Arsenal manager since leaving his post as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and taking over on December 20, 2019. Most notably, Arsenal have massively improved in games against their top 6 rivals. After starting with a 4-2-3-1, Arteta has switched to a 3-4-3 and…

As we approach the return of club football following October’s international break, Everton sit top of the Premier League, having won four out of four games and creating the most big chances in the league along the way. They have not managed such a feat since 1969, a season in which they lifted the English…

Before I begin with my tactical analysis of Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus, I’d like to give a massive thanks to @DaliborPlavsic_ for providing the Italian manager’s translated thesis.   Being appointed manager at one of the world’s biggest clubs with little to no prior coaching experience is an inconceivable feat, unless your name carries the same…

Perhaps the most notable and significant tactical element of Tottenham Hotspur since José Mourinho was appointed last November has been the use of asymmetric full backs, with the left-sided player tucking in to create a back three whereas the right-sided player sits in a more advanced position.     This asymmetric fullback setup creates a…

In the first match of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal defeated Scott Parker’s Fulham in a resounding 3-0 victory. Let’s take a look at the tactics behind the maiden game of the season.   Line-ups     Arsenal’s Lopsided Formation    During the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Arsenal played their best…

Arsenal enjoyed a mixed first eight months under Mikel Arteta’s leadership. The Spaniard initially employed a 4-2-3-1 formation. His reign started with a lot of promise, but was followed by an embarrassing exit from the Europa League and inconsistent league form. The season was cut short in March due to COVID-19, but after its resumption…