It is very common in today’s game to have a team defending in a 1-4-4-2 shape. This trend is not new and it reached the peak of perfection with Simeone’s Atlético Madrid. This structure is very effective defensively because of the existence of two lines of four, which makes it easier to control both depth and width. […]
Tag: pressure

Rashford vs Lukaku – Different contributions to the game model
During the pre-season the teams sign new players and sell others. Since some players take longer to adapt to a new reality, coaches need to know if the new players are prepared for the specific demands of their game model. Let’s look, for example, at Rashford and Lukaku from Manchester United: one had a great performance last season (Rashford) and the other […]

FC Porto – Controlling the space in front of the defensive line
After the Portuguese “Clássico” on 4th February between FC Porto and Sporting CP, besides the sensational debut of Tiquinho Soares with the “Dragões” shirt, the goal scored by Alan Ruiz will remain in memory. From that goal, the issue that FC Porto have been coming across this season, especially in the last games, […]

AS Monaco – Offensive Process
Offensive Process “The French should be happy that he left, because now they have a league.” This was how José Mourinho referred to Zlatan Ibrahimovic departure from PSG and consequently, to the increased competitiveness within the French League. Leonardo Jardim´s Monaco has been taking advantage of this, being currently in 1st place with 48 points, and also, Lucie Favre’s […]