Analysis News and Analysis

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tactics: Favorite formation, playing style, best players

14Feb

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tactics: Favorite formation, playing style, best players

Roberto De Zerbi is one of the most talked about managers in the world right now. His Brighton side are overachieving and fighting for Europa League football for the second straight season, and he’s constantly being linked to big jobs at clubs like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Chelsea. De Zerbi's tactics have been praised by Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, and other top managers across Europe. We wanted to look at what makes him so special. Keep reading to learn about De Zerbi's tactics, playing style, and the profiles of the players who thrive in his unique and innovative system. Roberto De Zerbi's tactics Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton typically play a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders acting as a double pivot, an attacking midfielder who often joins the striker up top, and two inverted...

Opinion: Super League or not, football needs to evolve

11Jan

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Opinion: Super League or not, football needs to evolve

While it’s still unclear whether the European Super League will happen or not, the possibility of the competition happening received a big boost after the European Union’s top court ruled that UEFA and FIFA acted unlawfully when they attempted to block the Super League project. A landmark moment as teams can now have more control over their destiny without the fear of being sanctioned by the game’s governing leaders. We’ve all seen the teams that have come out in support of the decision, those who claim that they don’t want to be part of the Super League, and others who have taken the opportunity to launch their populist campaign. Whatever happens with the European Super League project, I wanted to give my personal opinion on the current situation. Changes need to be made Under th...

Ranking the 10 best transfers in Real Madrid history

10Nov

By AdminhoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best transfers in Real Madrid history

Nobody makes blockbuster signings quite like Real Madrid. From David Beckham and Zinédine Zidane to Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, Los Blancos have made some of world football's most iconic transfer splashes over the decades, using these superstar signings to mark different eras of the club. But while the Galácticos are known for the glitz and glamor, the most impressive thing about Real Madrid is how sustainably the club has been run over the last decade after president Florentino Pérez learned from his mistakes in his first run. Real Madrid have become a club capable of making huge signings like Jude Bellingham, but they are also able to unearth gems outside of the top five leagues or invest in top talents for less than 10 million euros. All the while, they generate plenty of reve...

27Oct

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

MLS playoffs predictions: Why FC Cincinnati can go all the way

The MLS playoffs are officially underway. New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City got things started on Wednesday by defeating Charlotte FC and San Jose Earthquakes in the Wild Card Round. Now that those matches are done and over with, the final MLS playoffs bracket are set. It's time to dive into our MLS playoffs predictions. We take a look at the Round One matchups, key players, and storylines you should be paying attention to all throughout the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. MLS playoffs format explained Before we get into our MLS playoffs predictions and previews, we need to go over the new MLS Cup Playoffs format. Prior to this season, the MLS Cup champion was determined by a single-elimination knockout tournament with the higher-seeded team having home field advantage in a one-off g...

Eden Hazard: The supreme entertainer that no coach could change

22Oct

By James CormackNo Comments

Analysis

Eden Hazard: The supreme entertainer that no coach could change

The exact date escapes me, but I recall it being early 2012. Perhaps it was late 2011, I don't know. Anyway, life as a Tottenham supporter was pretty sweet under Harry Redknapp. Despite the success of 2009/10, 2011/12 lives fonder in my memory. Bale, Modric, Van de Vaart, Adebayor, Parker; Redknapp's Spurs at their apex. This was also a time when transfer discourse appeared pre-historic compared to the current information overload. Jim White and his yellow tie was the Fabrizio Romano of that era. His word was gospel. However, that's merely to contextualise the time. Twitter/X hadn't yet emerged as a cesspit of transfer gossip, and Teletext may have still been in fashion - possibly. So, when my dad uttered to me during an innocuous car journey that he'd heard "from a bloke down the pu...

Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023

1Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023

The right back position may be one of the most overlooked in world football, but just ask clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and, most recently, Napoli what having an elite right-sided defender can do for a team. An elite right back can rule an entire flank with composed defending, quality passing in the build-up, supportive runs for the attackers, and game-changing assists via their crossing. So in honor of the right back and many of the unsung heroes who ply their trade at this position, let's take a closer look at the best players in the world who man the right side of the formation. 10. Malo Gusto Malo Gusto joins Christopher Nkunku as another top young talent headed to Chelsea this summer. The 20-year-old will not be the starter in every match, as the Blues alre...

29Jun

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Why the Declan Rice transfer fee is worth it for Arsenal

Arsenal have turned heads by making one of the most expensive signings of the summer 2023 transfer window, spending 105 million pounds in an up-front fee and add-ons in order to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United. Such a hefty fee for a midfielder is bound to draw criticism, and it necessitates taking a closer look at the reasoning behind Arsenal making such a transfer. As we saw with their success last season in pushing Manchester City for the Premier League title, this squad was not built haphazardly, nor have Mikel Arteta and Maurice Edu made unnecessary gambles on the transfer market. So let's explain why the 100 million pound up-front transfer fee for Declan Rice is a worthy investment by Arsenal as they look to return to the summit of European football in 2023 and beyond. A...

The 10 best USWNT players you need to know for the 2023 World Cup

16Jun

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

The 10 best USWNT players you need to know for the 2023 World Cup

The reigning World Cup champions, the USWNT have won the world's most prestigious footballing competition four times, which is the most of any country. With the world's most competitive league from top to bottom and the collegiate circuit, the United States is able to produce world-class athletes and technicians at all positions. So once again, they will be among the favorites to win it all at the 2023 World Cup, and many expect the Stars and Stripes to repeat as champions. Even making the final squad of the USWNT is quite the challenge, given all the American talent in women's football. Tough decisions will have to be made, but before the squad is finalized, let's take a look at the 10 very best players we could see suiting up for the United States at the upcoming World Cup in Austr...

8Jun

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

What Lionel Messi to Inter Miami means for MLS

After months of speculation, Lionel Messi will not be going to Saudi Arabia or returning to Barcelona. Instead, Lionel Messi will be joining Inter Miami. Inter Miami is owned by former Manchester United superstar David Beckham and local Miami billionaire Jorge Mas. The South Florida club is currently without a manager and sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Messi to Inter Miami obviously stands a big chance of changing Miami’s place in the standings, but his impact on the league as a whole will be much greater. Pelé and David Beckham are the only two stars whose arrival fundamentally changed soccer in North America. Pelé’s barnstorming Cosmos set attendance records throughout the country, many of which still haven’t been broken. Beckham joining the LA Galaxy ushered in a n...

Lessons Real Madrid need to learn from the 2022/23 season

5Jun

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Lessons Real Madrid need to learn from the 2022/23 season

Rating Real Madrid's 2022/23 season a failure would be extremely harsh taking into consideration that the team reached the semifinals of the Champions League, won the Copa del Rey title with comebacks against Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid, and demolished Barcelona at the Camp Nou by a 0-4 scoreline. However, the season can't also be considered a success not because they didn't win the Champions League or La Liga, but because of the manner they lost both competitions.In the Champions League semifinal, they were thrashed 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) by Manchester City where they were completely outplayed and could have lost by much more if not for Courtois coming up with big saves. Meanwhile, not only did they lose La Liga to Barcelona, but it almost seemed as if they gave up on it midseason a...