On 13th May 2012, 88 minutes into the final game of the Primera Liga season Villarreal were holding Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw, a result that would have secured their survival and a 13th consecutive campaign in Spain's top flight. However just as it looked like one of La Liga's most colourful chapters was about to be extended Radamel Falcao leapt to power a header past Diego López and break the hearts of almost everyone inside El Madrigal. The Villarreal fairy tale was over or so it seemed. … [Read more...]
Analysing Barca’s 3-2-3-2 formation
Predictably, after Barcelona’s 7-0 2013 Champions League semifinal defeat to Bayern Munich, when they were physically overpowered by a compact and organized 4-4-2 press, many of their future opponents adopted Bayern’s tactics in an attempt to nullify the attacking strengths and exploit the defensive frailties of the Catalan giants. It is then no surprise that Barcelona would transition to a back-3 to counteract the advantages their opposition obtained from mimicking the formation that dominated them. Playing a back-3 provides Barcelona an extra defender and free player to bring the ball out … [Read more...]
Barcelonas Best XI Since the New Millennium
115 years of football throughout Catalonia have produced some of the greatest ever players that football has ever seen, from world cup winners to South American magicians, Barcelona Football Club is one of the greats in world football. From the hundreds of players to embrace the maroon and blue jersey of this iconic club, I will try and establish the best ever 11 players to represent the Catalans on the football pitch over the last 14 seasons. This will be a selection of the best players in each position who I feel made the greatest contributions towards the team, in recent years, when they … [Read more...]
Valencia vs Real Madrid Preview: End of the Streak?
Tomorrow, the reigning European champions travel to Mestalla for their 16th La Liga match of the season. Needless to say, Real will start 2015 with a very tough set of fixtures as they face Atletico at the Calderon in the Copa del Rey 3 days after the Valencia match and then host Espanyol before the return leg vs Atletico. This match will be particularly hard as Real face a Valencia that is in-form with only 3 losses from their 16 Liga matches this season. A win for Valencia will also bring them 1 point from 3rd placed Atletico so the motivation will be definitely there. Finally, Valencia will … [Read more...]
Arsenal after Atletico’s Midfield Ace
Arsenal are reportedly set to bring Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez to the Emirates Stadium according to the Daily Mail. Suarez, who played a huge role in Atletico's La Liga title win last season, has fallen out of favour at the Vicente Calderon this season and Arsene Wenger could offer him an escape route. Spanish media have been reporting that Suarez will 'almost certainly leave' Atletico this January as he demands first team football, and with Arsenal's midfield options currently limited due to Mikel Arteta's absence, a move would make sense. Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are also … [Read more...]