Tactical Analysis

By: Ben Dixon Throughout this season, AC Milan have been a more defensive team than an offensive outfit. However, it feels more like they have been forced into this than by choice. Put simply, Milan are not a goalscoring team currently. Since the start of the season, their output infront of goal has slowed dramatically and now they […] The post ‘Fewer options, fewer solutions’ – Ambrosini suggests Milan would even struggle with 6,000 attackers appeared first on SempreMilan.

Thierry Henry has told Sporting how they can beat his beloved Arsenal after the Gunners “didn’t have an answer” to a tactic used by Man City and Bournemouth.

PSG star Marquinhos is grateful to Italy and Serie A, saying that his former Roma coach, Zdeněk Zeman, forced him to 'get out of my comfort zone.'

L'intervento dell'ex giocatore francese.

Nottingham Forest return to the City Ground to face Porto knowing their European season rests on a single night, but the reality is far more complicated than a simple home advantage. The 1-1 draw in Portugal has left this Europa League quarter-final finely poised, yet it is a result that demands more from Forest than […]

By: Oliver Fisher Massimiliano Allegri seems to be ready to confine the 4-3-3 used against Udinese to being a failed one-game experiment. Allegri tried to reshape his Milan side in order to fix the attacking department, but it did not work. The 3-0 home defeat against the Zebre may not have been due solely to a mistake in […] The post CorSport: Allegri reverts to three-man defence after failed experiment – the added piece appeared first on SempreMilan.

L'intervento dell'ex centrocampista rossonero.

Nick and Matt Law discuss Chelsea's current struggles, highlighted by a perceived culture of "giving up" among players and management during recent defeats. This has led to a significant emotional disconnect with the fanbase, evidenced by record-low home attendances and planned joint protests with supporters from sister club Strasbourg. Despite substantial financial losses and a slide to sixth place, Law remains cautiously optimistic that a victory against a "wobbly" Manchester United could spark a late-season run for Champions League qualification. Join our Discord community! https://discord.com/invite/londonbluepod Check out our Newsletter! https://londonisblue.beehiivcom/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/londonbluepod/ Apple Podcasts – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/london-is-blue-chelsea-fc-soccer-podcast/id914691565?mt=2 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5I0NZIy6hdFWj6oRtpL8qI Subscribe to @LondonBluePod for more Chelsea F.C. Content! Subscribe to the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/londonisbluepodcast [email protected] Audio Edited by Jorel Corpus (jorelcorp.us) #chelseafc #chelseanews #chelsea

I rossoneri attendono di capire se il tecnico livornese resterà in panchina, suggestiva l'opzione Inzaghi per la sua successione.

What was he thinking?!

With Vincent Kompany making an impressive impact at Bayern Munich, BBC Sport's tactics expert Umir Irfan takes a closer look at the manager's unique style.

When Manchester City signed Rayan Cherki from Lyon last summer, there were question marks surrounding how the French international would fit into a Pep Guardiola side. Cherki’s talent was never in question, however, his work out of possession was in some circles. As the 2025-26 season has progressed, Rayan Cherki has emphatically put any doubts […] The post Pep Guardiola and Rayan Cherki have put a narrative to bed surrounding the Manchester City marvel appeared first on Esteemed Kompany.

Brazil former star Filipe Luis highlighted the importance of Carlo Ancelotti at this crucial moment. With two months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil are hopeful that Carlo Ancelotti can provide the national team with a tactical identity that allows them to compete for the title in North America. Filipe Luis expressed confidence that the Italian coach will get the job done in time. “Ancelotti brings us many good things,” Filipe Luis said during a conference organized by Conmebol this week, according to Diario AS. “There are no guarantees we’ll win anything, but it’s the best that could have happened.” The former Atletico Madrid defender pointed to the timing of Ancelotti’s arrival to take over the national team. In mid-2025, Brazil were coming off a heavy loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires and, with four matches remaining in the South American qualifiers, had not yet secured their place in the World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti delivered the results needed to achieve that goal and has since used every FIFA break to shape a team that had struggled to meet expectations since the departure of Tite after the 2022 World Cup at Qatar. Vinicius Junior is subbed off by Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil. Filipe Luis believes in Brazil’s chances The general consensus among fans and analysts lists Spain, France and Argentina as the top favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. Despite being the most successful national team in the competition’s history, Brazil are not placed in that top tier, but rather in a second group alongside other powerhouses such as Germany, England and Portugal. However, Filipe Luis warned those who might count Brazil out of the title race. “Brazil will always be one of the favorites, even when things aren’t going well,” said the former Flamengo manager, extending that view to Argentina as well. To support his confidence in Ancelotti’s squad, Filipe Luis pointed to the team’s individual talent: “People don’t believe Brazil can win. But if you look at the five best players in the world, we have two: Raphinha and Vini Jr.” Brazil’s path in the 2026 World Cup Brazil are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They will open their campaign on June 13 against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, before traveling to Philadelphia six days later to face Haiti. Their final group-stage match will be on June 24 in Miami against Scotland. If everything goes as expected and Carlo Ancelotti’s side finish top of the group, they will advance to the Round of 16, where they would face the runner-up of Group F — made up of Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia — in Houston on June 29.

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence in newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, highlighting the Portuguese tactician’s tactical discipline as a key asset that will drive the team forward at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz was named Ghana’s head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo, signing a four-month contract with an option to extend. He will lead the Black Stars in Group L against England, Panama, and Croatia."He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team," Norgbey said."I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating."The veteran Portuguese manager, who has previously coached Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, faces the immediate challenge of preparing Ghana for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Ghana’s campaign begins on June 17 against Panama in Toronto.

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence that the vast experience and international pedigree of newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will naturally compel players to adhere to his instructions on and off the pitch.Norgbey believes the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician’s résumé—which includes managing Real Madrid, leading Iran to two World Cups, and taking Egypt to the global stage—carries a weight that few coaches in African football can match. That authority, he argued, will translate into discipline and compliance from the Black Stars squad.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with an international rating," Norgbey said.Queiroz, who has taken four different nations to the FIFA World Cup, was appointed on a four-month contract with an option to extend. He replaces Otto Addo following Ghana’s poor run of friendly results and failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Norgbey argued that the timing of the appointment, though close to the tournament, is less of...

Liverpool and PSG are ready to face off in the second leg of the 2025-26 Champions League quarterfinals. Following the French side’s victory in the first leg, the Reds are desperate to overturn the result. With that in mind, today’s match is shaping up to be a closely contested affair. Liverpool face PSG in the second leg of the 2025–26 Champions League quarterfinals. Due to the emphatic victory by the French side in the first leg, the Reds are forced to adopt a highly offensive approach, moving away from a five-at-the-back system. In addition, coach Arne Slot will look to Mohamed Salah to lead the Reds’ comeback. However, coach Luis Enrique will not make things easy, as his side arrives in top form. Far from relying on their two-goal advantage, Paris Saint-Germain come into the match determined to secure another victory, this time at Anfield. Coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged the difficulty of the game, so they are expected to rely on a high press and ball control to slow down Liverpool’s attacking progression. In addition, Désiré Doué remains in top form, serving as the French side’s main attacking threat. Unlike the first leg, head coach Arne Slot will be forced to opt for a more aggressive attacking approach. Not only will they look to hurt PSG on the counterattack through Mohamed Salah, but they will also need to control the midfield with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, the presence of Jeremie Frimpong remains a key factor, as his physicality and attacking quality could create chances for Hugo Ekitike up front. Both the Reds and PSG will engage in a battle that could define the outcome of the match: The midfield. In the first leg, the French side managed to neutralize the opposition’s attack with a brilliant performance from Vitinha and João Neves. As a result, Liverpool will look to restore control through Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in order to dominate the game and create more opportunities for Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.

How are the battles for major honors, Champions League spots and relegation shaping up across the continent? Here's everything you need to know.

Nelle prossime partite l'attaccante potrebbe essere schierato in un ruolo più centrale e avanzato da falso nove

Whether we all like it or not, football is in the midst of an efficiency revolution. See it in the sudden uptick in tactical directness, as teams toss control to the side in favor of getting the ball to goal as quickly as possible; see it in the emphasis on set plays, as juggernauts like… The post Football’s Young Unicorns: The Uncategorizable first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

By: Oliver Fisher Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has revealed exactly how Massimiliano Allegri approached the post-Udinese de-brief at Milanello. Milan needed to bounce back from the Easter Monday defeat against Napoli by beating Udinese, but what followed on Saturday at San Siro was nothing short of a nightmare. Having pivoted to using a 4-3-3, Allegri’s side were […] The post Sky journalist reveals Allegri’s post-Udinese reaction: “Downplayed every type of incident” appeared first on SempreMilan.

How RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old sensation went from DME Academy to becoming one of Europe’s most explosive wingers When Yan Diomande scored three goals in 18 second-half minutes against Eintracht Frankfurt on December 6, 2025, he didn’t just dismantle one of Germany’s better sides. He became the second-youngest player in Bundesliga history to score a… The post From Florida High School to Bundesliga Wunderkid: The Tactical Profile of Yan Diomande first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

By: Oliver Fisher Massimiliano Allegri might just have given another sign to Santiago Gimenez by not using him in the loss to Udinese. As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, for over a month now, when asked about Gimenez, Allegri has explained that he considers the Mexican an important asset for the end of the season. The classic extra […] The post GdS: Still watching from the sidelines – Allegri’s snub raises questions about Gimenez appeared first on SempreMilan.

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan must bounce back from consecutive defeats by beating Hellas Verona on Sunday, or a Champions League spot is in grave danger. As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Massimiliano Allegri had his entire squad at his disposal on Monday at Milanello, with no absences. It’s happened rarely this season, but AC Milan can finally say […] The post GdS: Back to certainties – Allegri returns to 3-5-2 with Gabbia vying for a spot appeared first on SempreMilan.

Jason Cundy’s Ange Postecoglou mask is Jamie O’Hara’s Kyrptonite – and it could reach boiling point at his wedding on Saturday. O’Hara’s beloved Tottenham Hotspu…

Jamie Carragher fears Arsenal's brittle confidence is encapsulated by the form of midfielder Martin Zubimendi who he claims is 'really struggling'.

PREMIER LEAGUE: this weekend crystallized Arsenal's great fears. City really feeling themselves. Modest vindication for Arne Slot and Mo Salah (and "Rui" Ngamoha). Relegation battle featuring three clubs and one clownshow. Preview of Sunday's all-important Arsenal at City fixture. HALFTIME: fascism-related weekly what if postponed to next week... stay tuned ROUND THE WORLD: Champions League chatter - which club has the best and worst chance of overturning their first leg deficit plus an extra spicy MLS hit-it-n-quit-it minute STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs

ODDS on a first league win at Old Trafford in 45 years for Leeds shortened the moment Manuel Ugarte appeared on the teamsheet. Ugarte has started ten times for Manchester United this season and they have won only one of them. There have been six defeats and three draws. Ugarte is United’s jinx and the...

By: Oliver Fisher Collapsing at this stage of the season is something AC Milan cannot afford, and Massimiliano Allegri stressed this to his squad. La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that Allegri’s message to the team is simple: do not panic. Milan met yesterday for the first time since the painful defeat against Udinese on Saturday at San […] The post GdS: ‘Do not panic’ – what Allegri did at Milanello to start post-Udinese recovery appeared first on SempreMilan.

Gary Neville argues that Manchester United are better off without Benjamin Sesko in their starting lineup, as he assesses the team’s latest display. The Red Devils ended their 24-day hiatus by hosting Leeds United at Old Trafford on Monday evening. However, the excitement evaporated only a few minutes after the kickoff, when Noah Okafor gave […] The post “Awkward, clumsy” – Neville tells Carrick to relegate 6/10 Man Utd to bench role appeared first on Stretty News.

Happy Tuesday folks. I’m sitting here this morning wishing I could write something that has the answers. You know the ones I mean. Not how did we get here; not the meaning of life; not ‘how can the universe be infinite?’; not why are Maroon5 still around; nothing as trivial as that. But – what […] The post I started writing then stopped appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.

While most teams send long throws into a crowded box, PSG use them as a shock tactic to launch attacks from their own half

Too often, Arsenal players can be seen standing facing their own goal and not in motion heading towards the opposition one

Following a big win in the first leg, Atlético Madrid are the clear favorite to secure another victory in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Moreover, captain Koke has sent a strong message to Barcelona ahead of the match, reveling their tactical approach. Atlético Madrid stunned Barcelona with a 2–0 victory at the Spotify Camp Nou. Far from adopting a defensive mindset, Los Colchoneros came out to impose their attacking strength, taking advantage of Barcelona’s lack of control in midfield. Rather than considering the tie settled, captain Koke issued a warning to the Blaugranas ahead of the second leg, offering hints about their tactical approach ahead the Champions League quarterfinals second leg. “This is a match that could go down in Champions League history. It’s a historic game for the club, and we are focused on this match, not the Copa final. We’re approaching it like a final. We’re going there to win it… My teammates are highly motivated. It’s normal that they (Barcelona players) believe they can come back. The opposite would be strange…with the desire to play a great match against a strong opponent, in our stadium,” Koke said in the latest press conference. Even though they hold a comfortable advantage on the scoreboard, Koke’s words suggest they will not sit back and defend. Unlike in previous seasons, Los Colchoneros have shown that their best version comes when they take an aggressive, high-risk approach, with Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone dominating the flanks. With this in mind, they will look to extend their lead rather than protect it. While Lamine Yamal has opted to challenge coach Diego Simeone over his dominance in one-on-one situations, they have decided to stick to their approach: Securing the victory. However, Los Colchoneros could look to apply tight marking on the 18-year-old star, limiting his ability to make an impact in attack. In addition, they will aim to exploit the space behind Barcelona’s defenders with their quick counterattacking style. Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid. Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone faces key absentees vs. Barcelona Ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Atlético Madrid arrive with a clear advantage, holding a two-goal lead on aggregate. In addition, coach Diego Simeone regains Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, and Jan Oblak, providing a significant boost. However, they also face a major setback, as they will be without three absences that could prove decisive in the match against Barcelona. Coach Diego Simeone will be without three high-level center-backs: Marc Pubill due to accumulated yellow cards, as well as José María Giménez and David Hancko, who did not take part in the latest training session due to fitness issues. Without them, Los Colchoneros lose defensive reliability, leaving everything in the hands of Robin Le Normand and Clément Lenglet, who have tended to make mistakes from game to game. Taking advantage of these absences, the Blaugranas could look to apply sustained high pressing. In doing so, they may force errors in the build-up, putting Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in prime positions to score and chase the comeback. However, Los Colchoneros could also aim to reduce their opponent’s influence by adopting an attacking approach that forces Barcelona to proceed with caution.

By: Rohit Rajeev AC Milan fell to their worst defeat of the season at San Siro on Saturday evening as they were beaten 3-0 by Udinese. After a positive start by Milan, they found themselves two goals down at the break as they failed to contain Udinese’s transitions. Davide Bartesaghi deflected in a cross and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp scored […] The post How Allegri’s 4-3-3 was ruthlessly exposed: Tactical analysis of AC Milan 0-3 Udinese appeared first on SempreMilan.

Welcome to The Overlap Breakdown with special guest Steve McClaren, assistant manager under Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester United’s historic treble-winning season in 1999. In this episode, we dive deep into the tactical brilliance behind that iconic campaign, offering unique insight into how Ferguson’s methods delivered one of the greatest achievements in football history. McClaren also opens up about the immense pressures of managing the England national team, reflecting on the highs and challenges of leading on the international stage. We hear about Middlesbrough’s incredible run to the UEFA Cup final, McClaren's title-winning success with FC Twente, and his evolution as a coach across Europe. The episode also brings things up to date with McClaren’s recent return to Manchester United, working under Erik ten Hag. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle United and breaks down standout tactical performances, including the FA Cup victory against Manchester City in 2024. Get an exclusive, in-depth look at elite coaching, leadership under pressure, and the tactical insights that have shaped decades of football at the highest level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It wasn't the tactics that blew away Chelsea on Sunday, said Pep Guardiola, just as Pep Guardiola revealed that Manchester City altered their high press at half-time to pen in their hosts.

The modern footballing machine is manufacturing efficiency at the cost of the soul. We are witnessing the death of the “unique being”—the player whose individuality is not a flaw to be coached out, but how the game turns. From the underproducing academies of “advanced” nations to the viral robot drills on social media (imagine a… The post Italy’s missing the World Cup is the Fault of Modern Football first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Paulo Fonseca arrived in Lyon after a negative experience at AC Milan, one that was not entirely his fault, but rather the fault of a nonexistent club, one of the worst in AC Milan’s history, and of a number of players who had never been with him from the start. Despite having proven himself a… The post How Paulo Fonseca got his groove back at Lyon first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

When Gary Lineker compared Rio Ngumoha to Kylian Mbappé, it felt like familiar territory — another wave of early hype surrounding a promising teenager. However, this comparison points to something more precise — not output or raw numbers, but profile. And within Liverpool’s current tactical phase under Arne Slot, that profile is not just exciting… The post Rio Ngumoha and the Mbappé Comparison — Why Liverpool’s Teenager Matters Now first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

As the final whistle blew on Sunday 25th January there was relief, passion and a very happy fanbase. Genoa came back from 2-0 down at home to Bologna in a crazy game, Bologna had goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski sent off for a final man challenge. That red card changed the complexion of the game. Just over… The post Genoa CFC Flourishing Under Daniele De Rossi first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

In football, success is often measured in trophies and results — but by the time those arrive, the real work has already been done. Long before dominance becomes visible, it is constructed through structure, repetition, and identity. What appears as success is often just the final outcome of a system that has been built over… The post Built Before Success: How Football Identity Shapes Long-Term Performance first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Teams have become so accustomed to defending inswinging corners that they are possibly leaving themselves exposed when they are taken short

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri change formations for the game against Udinese, and the result provided a proof of something. The major news regarding the starting line-up was that Allegri chose to go with an attacking trio that consisted of Alexis Saelemaekers and Christian Pulisic either side of Rafael Leao. That meant Zachary Athekame came into […] The post Mazzara issues ‘public apology’ after calling for 4-3-3: “Allegri isn’t an idiot” appeared first on SempreMilan.

Building out from the back via goal kicks is so commonplace in the modern game that it is hard to remember that, until relatively recently, this was regarded as a very high-risk strategy. The sight of teams playing across their six-yard box would often be greeted with groans from the stands and managers having to […] The post Coaching Build-Up Play From Goal Kicks Like Roberto De Zerbi, Albert Riera & Cesc Fàbregas – Tactical Theory appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

Rafael Leao finds himself in the eye of the storm again, as he had a paltry performance against Udinese, despite a long clamored tactical switch, and the Milan crowd heavily booed when he left the pitch. His relationship with the fans has had its ups and downs over the years. The post Milan Star Leao in Hot Water Again After Udinese Clash appeared first on The Cult of Calcio.

By: Oliver Fisher The AC Milan leadership are remaining united around Massimiliano Allegri and the squad amid a tough recent run of form. Milan’s top four hopes suffered yet another blow on Saturday evening at San Siro as they were beaten 3-0 by Udinese. Allegri’s decision to switch to a 4-3-3 certainly yielded a more open game, but […] The post GdS: Need for unity prevails as Furlani and Tare analyse Udinese loss with Allegri appeared first on SempreMilan.

Nick and Dan look into Liam Rosenior’s man-marking experiment as Chelsea's "freelancers" gets picked apart by Pep and "couldn't be bothered" to play two halves of football yet again. From the bizarre stat of Marc Cucurella being our primary xG threat to questions about whether the players are already mentally on the plane for the World Cup, we’re digging into the "profound mediocrity" of it all. Join our Discord community! https://discord.com/invite/londonbluepod Check out our Newsletter! https://londonisblue.beehiivcom/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/londonbluepod/ Apple Podcasts – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/london-is-blue-chelsea-fc-soccer-podcast/id914691565?mt=2 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5I0NZIy6hdFWj6oRtpL8qI Subscribe to @LondonBluePod for more Chelsea F.C. Content! Subscribe to the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/londonisbluepodcast [email protected] Audio Edited by Jorel Corpus (jorelcorp.us) #chelseafc #chelseanews #chelsea

The battle for space in football over the last 15 years or so has truly been the chess game between out-of-possession and in-possession tactics. It stems from the fact that teams with smaller budgets set out to make life as difficult as possible for teams with bigger budgets that boast more attacking talent. It’s apparent that money, whilst […] The post How Zonal Pressing & Central Compactness Shape Defensive Tactics In 2025/2026 – Tactical Theory appeared first on Total Football Analysis.