la liga – Holding Midfield

Goal Analysis: Philippe Coutinho – Villarreal 4-4 Barcelona 2/4/2019

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

The move starts with Barcelona having possession in Villarreal's half, however the hosts are in a comfortable position to defend. Barcelona have possession but Villarreal are well-organised Barcelona play backwards towards their defenders, moving the ball along the backline and giving Villarreal the opportunity to press. Villarreal take the bait…

What went wrong at Real Madrid for Julen Lopetegui?

November 1, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

With the benefit of hindsight Julen Lopetegui's tenure looked doomed from the start. The job only became available due to Zinedine Zidane stepping down. Despite being a club legend and winning back-to-back European Cups (going on to win a third), rumours still abounded that the board were considering the sack…

Case Study: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid 28/10/2018

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

The first Clasico since 2007 without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Neither side have set the world alight this season, but Barcelona are in better form with Real Madrid already enduring three losses and two draws. Julen Lopetegui set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation, and Ernesto Valverde went…

Case Study: Sevilla 3-0 Real Madrid 26/9/2018

September 27, 2018September 28, 2018 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Real Madrid looked to take advantage of Barcelona's loss earlier in the day against Levante to go top of La Liga, while Sevilla are trying to build on a solid albeit mixed start under new coach Pablo Machin. Machin set up his team in a 3-5-2 formation, whereas Julen Lopetegui…

How have Marcelino’s Valencia started so well?

November 14, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Nuno Espirito Santo, Voro, Gary Neville, Pako Ayesteran, Voro again, Cesare Prandelli, Voro again. Despite a strong first season, the exit of Rufete as sporting director saw the fans turn against Nuno, who was seen as a pawn in Jorge Mendes' attempts to exert his influence over the club. All…

Case Study: Sevilla 2-1 Real Madrid 15/1/2017

January 25, 2017August 7, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

After extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 40 games by moving past Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, Real Madrid had every right to be confident of putting some distance between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of La Liga. Nevertheless the hard work…

Case Study: Eibar 1-1 Valencia 13/12/2015

December 17, 2015August 7, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

With the understandable excitement in the British press surrounding Gary Neville's appointment at Valencia churning out overwhelmingly positive spin, it's worth taking a step back and actually looking at what would actually constitute success in his first job. The most obvious issue Neville faces is whether or not he's actually…

Case Study: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Valencia 25/10/2015

November 4, 2015August 7, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

Atletico Madrid are now in an awkward predicament about where they are as a club. They are still and probably forever will be behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in terms of reputation and resources, but they are also quite some distance ahead of the chasing pack. They have solidified their…

Case Study: Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid 24/10/2015

October 25, 2015August 7, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

After a testing draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in mid-week, Real Madrid may have hoped for an easy ride come the weekend, but they had no such luck. Undefeated and with a 4-1 thrashing of Barcelona to their name, Celta Vigo have started the season in top form and had…

Case Study: Atletico Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid 7/2/2015

February 8, 2015July 9, 2017 by Joshua Askew

Joshua Askew

After the shock and horror of losing a game, Real Madrid came back strong with another five wins on the bounce to put some distance between them and the chasing pack, but they had reason to be more than a little edgy going into the match against their city rivals.…

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