Match Analysis – Holding Midfield

Goal Analysis: Mana Iwabuchi – Japan Women 2-1 Scotland Women 14/6/2019

June 15, 2019June 15, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

One of the reasons often given for not watching women's football is the low quality of its goalkeeping. This is at least an improvement over the suggestion that all the play is of low quality, which tends to ring hollow when it comes from the same people who would describe…

Goal Analysis: Eugenie Le Sommer – France Women 4-0 South Korea Women 7/6/2019

June 8, 2019June 9, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

A well-organised bit of pressing saw France take an early lead in their opening match of the World Cup on home soil. South Korea have the ball and France have retreated into a narrow 4-4-2 shape, making it difficult for the Koreans to pass into midfield without being surrounded by…

Goal Analysis: Naim Sliti – Dijon FCO 3-1 RC Lens 2/6/2019

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Two awful mistakes by Jeremy Vachoux ensured Dijon FCO would remain in Ligue 1 for another season, however Lens didn't cover themselves in glory for the opening goal either. The move starts with Mounir Chouiar passing to Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. The ball bounces though and Bellegarde is unable to control it,…

Case Study: Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Liverpool 1/6/2019

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

A Liverpool side looking to avenge their loss in the final last year and a Tottenham side looking to win their first ever European Cup landed in Madrid, both seeking to make history. There were no surprises in Liverpool's line-up, with Jurgen Klopp going for his usual 4-3-3 formation and…

Case Study: Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal 29/5/2019

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

What should have been the peak of both finalists' seasons ended up overshadowed in the run-up to this game by off-field factors. Difficulties in even making it to Baku meant that neither team managed to sell their paltry ticket allocations, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan opted not to travel due to concerns…

Goal Analysis: Kevin Gameiro – Barcelona 1-2 Valencia 26/5/2019

May 26, 2019May 26, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

The move has more than a little in common with Barcelona's way of attacking. Valencia have the ball in Barcelona's half but with their opponents well-organised in defence, they pass the ball backwards. Barcelona aren't baited into pressing but their midfield and defence do move forward, leaving more space in…

Goal Analysis: Pablo Sarabia – Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla 12/5/2019

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Sevilla spread the ball out from the right to Aleix Vidal on the left wing and he plays it along the line to Franco Vazquez. Sevilla switch play out to Vidal on the left Vidal plays the ball down the line to Vazquez Juanfran gets out quickly to him though,…

Case Study: Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona 7/5/2019

May 8, 2019May 10, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Three goals down, with no away goal to cushion any mistakes and Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita out through injury, Liverpool's chances of progressing to the final were slim at best. Jurgen Klopp continued with his usual 4-3-3 formation, while Ernesto Valverde set up Barcelona in their usual…

Goal Analysis: Virgil van Dijk – Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool 4/5/2019

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Liverpool's gameplan appeared to be to keep their midfield deep and stretch them out across the pitch, hoping to pull Newcastle's forward and open up gaps between them to play passes through to their forwards between the lines. Newcastle didn't take the bait though: they were disciplined and kept their…

Case Study: Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City 24/4/2019

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

With their rivals battling it out for the title, many Manchester United fans would be hoping that their team lay down in this derby to aid Manchester City, the lesser of two evils with Liverpool in top spot. Some poor recent form meant United are falling behind in the race…

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