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From the Ashes of Annihilation: Hansi Flick and the Rebirth of Barcelona’s Footballing Soul
There are appointments in football that carry the weight of prophecy, where fate and fortune collide, and one man holds the thread to both. Hansi Flick, the architect of that infamous 8-2 demolition of Barcelona, now finds himself standing at the very gates he once laid siege to — this time, as the man tasked…
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Analyzing the Different Variants of Build-up Play
Football is an ever-changing sport. Patterns and styles of play are always morphing, either into completely different forms or upgraded versions of previous systems and approaches. Such changes are necessary not only for the overall development of the game but also for managers and clubs as they continually find ways to stay ahead of their…
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How Arsenal Came Out on Top in the North London Derby
In an intriguing North London Derby, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal got the better of Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur despite surrendering possession for most of the game as well as territory. Arsenal spent most of the game in front of their own box, but never really looked uncomfortable, thwarting Tottenham’s attacks by design centrally. If you’re as…
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Breaking the Mold: Position of the Season 2023/24: Part Three
Weak Link Games: Arsenal’s Search for a Left-sided Defender Statistically speaking, Arsenal had the Premier League’s best defense in 2023/24. Mikel Arteta’s side only conceded 29 goals in 38 matches, five fewer than the league’s next best defense, Manchester City. So, why has their marquee signing of the 2024 transfer window been Italian central…
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Breaking the Mold: Position of the Season 2023/24: Part Two
“Little Pep”: the late-blooming lynchpin of City’s title defense After winning a historic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 22/23, Manchester City could have afforded to rest on their champagne-soaked laurels in the 2023 summer transfer window. Relentless in their pursuit of dominance in English football, however, they went out…
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Breaking the Mold: Position of the Season 2023/24: Part One
The goal of this series is to describe a position of play that had the most pervasive impact on teams’ success across European football during a given season. When reflecting on the 2023/24 season, the evolving role of central defenders, or “centerbacks,” among successful teams in various leagues is prominent. This trend is fitting…
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Liverpool 2024/25: New Era, Same Ambition
The Premier League is back, and with it comes a wave of fresh optimism, new faces, and renewed expectations. While teams like Chelsea have opened their wallets wide in a bid to reclaim past glory, Liverpool has taken a more measured approach, quietly confident in their tried-and-tested formula. Under the guidance of their new manager,…
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Henrik Rydström and Malmö FF: The Art of Relationism in Scandinavian Football
Football, like the tangled roots of a rainforest, is often misunderstood by those who only skim its surface. Within the game’s deeper layers, however, lies a complex network of influences, philosophies, and identities that defy easy categorization. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the rise of Relationism within European football — a philosophy birthed…
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How Set-Piece Success Paved the Way for Spain’s U-19 Euros Title
It has been a glorious summer for Spanish football. La Roja have reached the Olympics Final, won the European Championships and take home the U-19 Euros as well. Spain achieved plenty of success thanks to their impressive work in terms of both attacking and defending set-pieces and even scored a goal from a throw-in. They…
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Arsenal’s Transfer Targets: Key Moves to Reinforce Their 2024/2025 Title Bid
With the English football season fast approaching, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are gearing up for yet another attempt to end a 21-year wait for the Premier League title. After narrowly missing out to Man City yet again, this time on the last day of the season, The Gunners are keen to strengthen their squad and acquire…
