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Analyzing the Set-piece Patterns in the First Round of 2022 FIFA World Cup Matches
In the first round of World Cup matches, we saw various teams cause a major threat with set-pieces. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting and effective patterns that led to genuine chances from set-pieces over the first week of the tournament. Germany vs. Japan Japan had 3 zonal players, 2…
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Tactical Analysis: France 4-1 Australia
No Karim Benzema, no Christophe Nkunku, no N’Golo Kanté, no Paul Pogba…no problem. France turned around an early deficit and thrashed Australia 4-1 to open their 2022 FIFA World Cup with a victory. Let’s take a look at how Les Bleus defeated the Socceroos at Al Janoub Stadium. Australia’s Build-up Strategy Australia’s 2+3…
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Tactical Analysis: Croatia 0-0 Morocco
Morocco opened their 2022 World Cup campaign against the defending finalists in Croatia, with the Atlas Lions holding their own and securing a tense 0-0 draw at Al Bayt Stadium. This game was largely played in midfield with neither team willing to take many risks — Morocco did not create much in the way of…
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How Saudi Arabia’s Tactical Gamble Helped Them Stun Argentina
Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina is one for the World Cup history books. A huge 48 places separate the two nations in the FIFA world rankings, yet Herve Renard’s side still delivered an upset for the ages in the opening Group C match in Qatar. Lionel Messi’s penalty opened the scoring as the…
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Tactical Analysis: Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
Less than an hour after Saudi Arabia pulled off the shock of the tournament by beating Argentina, Tunisia pulled off a shock of their own by drawing 0-0 against Denmark. Tunisia would operate in a 3-4-3 formation, with Jalel Kadri eager to counteract the 3-5-2 of Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand. Tunisia’s Build-up Play…
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Serbia World Cup Preview — Part Five: The Front Three
Now that we have the crux of the side, it’s time to add the cherry on top — the Serbian attack. Another area of the team that not too long ago was considered a weakness, but now is a strength. Serbia not only has a diverse attack, it also has depth. A lot is expected…
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Serbia World Cup Preview — Part Four: The Goalkeepers
If someone had told Serbian fans that they’d have 3 goalkeepers in top 5 leagues to choose from a decade ago, I think most wouldn’t have believed it. But it’s 2022 and times have changed. If you count Mile Svilar at Roma, there are even 4 of them. But I’ll be focusing on the 3…
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Serbia World Cup Preview — Part One: The Double Pivot
With Serbia’s 2022 World Cup campaign set to kick off in Qatar, it’s high time to delve into a deeper analysis of the Serbian national team. I’ll be dissecting the team in five parts: the goalkeeper, the back three, the wings, the front three, but to kick things off, we’ll be looking at the heart…
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Can Argentina End Their 36-year World Cup Drought in Lionel Messi’s Last Hurrah?
If Qatar 2022 is the most controversial World Cup ever, then Argentina 1978 is now the second-most controversial. The tournament took place with the country under the control of a military junta, one that remained until 1983. The junta carried out rampant human rights abuses, as well as the disappearances of a rumoured 10,000 people.…
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Previewing Iran’s Chances in Qatar
Iran can be considered World Cup regulars as they have appeared in four of the last six editions of the tournament however, the next step for the nation is navigating a way through the group-stages and appearing in a first ever knockout phase and this might be the year to do that. Their manager…
