Tactical Analysis: Valencia 3-1 Young Boys

Introduction

Weekday four of the Champions League saw the return match between Valencia and Young Boys. In the previous match, both teams got a point in Switzerland. Today though was significant for both especially for Valencia who needed to win to stand any chance of being able to go through to the next round. A win here for them would set them up nicely for their next two big fixtures away from home against Juventus and finally at home against Manchester United. But before they could even think of the other fixtures, they first had to face a tricky opponent in Young Boys.

Starting formations.

What Everton have to offer in attack

Everton face a very tough fixture next with an away game against an undefeated Chelsea. So, the question is, what can we expect from Everton? This analysis will give an outline of Everton’s offensive organisation against Brighton in their 3-1 win at home last week (3/11/18).

Everton were at home to a tough opponent in Brighton who had a great October. They managed three wins out of three, including a win versus a good Wolves side. So for Everton, this was expected to be a challenge.

Starting line-up:

Tactical Analysis: Fiorentina 2-4 Roma

Introduction

Fiorentina and Roma’s recent head-to-head in Round 12 of the 2017-18 Serie A proved to be an excellent encounter. With both teams obtaining new coaches; Fiorentina having appointed former Inter Milan coach Stefan Pioli, whereas former Sassuolo coach Eusebio di Francesco has taken charge at Roma. Roma came into this game with a 4-game win streak in all competitions, conceding no goals during this run which included a huge 3-0 home win against 2016-17 premier league champions, Chelsea in Group C of the Champions League. Fiorentina, on the other hand, were coming into this game with an away loss to Crotone.

This analysis is mainly going to focus on Roma taking advantage of Fiorentina’s pressing in their block and Roma’s use of the press in Fiorentina’s build-up.

Tactical Analysis: Manchester City 1-1 Everton

Introduction

Manchester City hosted Everton in the second week of fixtures in the Barclays Premier League. Home debuts for Ederson and Kyle Walker were a highlight for City. Impressively Everton obtained 8, yes, I said it 8 English men and 9 British players in their starting 11. City were hoping to better their home form this season compared to last season while Everton begin their run of 4 games against the top 6 teams.

Tactical Analysis: Las Palmas vs Celta Vigo

Introduction

Las Palmas and Celta Vigo were meeting in highly anticipated clash between 2 teams that utilise positional play well but differently in most aspects. Celta Vigo coming into this match with 1 away win over the season. Las Palmas though were undefeated in all home games at this point which included a draw with Real Madrid.

Tactical Analysis: SL Benfica Vs FC Porto

Introduction 

Another classic encounter to come out of the ‘O Classico’ in the Primera de Portugal. Porto were on a pretty good run with only 1 loss all season in the league at the hands of Sporting Lisbon. Benfica were leading the league so a win here would get them that much closer to securing the league title for their fourth consecutive year.

Tactical Analysis: Atalanta 0-0 Fiorentina

Introduction

The latest encounter between Atalanta and Fiorentina resulted an excellent contest. Both teams had missing players in their starting line-ups, Bernadeshi and Tomovic on the bench for Fiorentina and Kessie missing for Atalanta. Atalanta were in great form coming into this league fixture with 4 straight wins in the month of February including an impressive away win at Napoli the previous week. Fiorentina however had been knocked out of the Europa League by Borussia Monchengladbach and had 1 win and draw and 2 losses to AC Milan and Roma.

Tactical Analysis: Real Betis 3-3 RC Celta Vigo

Introduction

Real Betis were playing their 4th game under Victor Sanchez with the previous three encounters resulting in 2 home wins and an away loss. Celta Vigo was coming into this match with just 1 away win in the League during the 2016-17 campaign. Last Season, both matches between Betis and Celta ended in draws.

Tactical Analysis: FC Porto 1-1 SL Benfica (2016/2017)

Introduction

Once again it was time for the ‘O Classico’ in the Primera de Portugal for the 165th league meeting of the two Portuguese giants. šPorto got the upper hand in last seasons two clashes with a 1-0 win at the Estadio do Dragao (Home) and a 2-1 win at the Estadio da Luz (Away). šBenfica were entering the match undefeated in league matches and with one loss in all competitions coming in the champions league 4-2 to Napoli. Benfica were actually undefeated away in the league winning all 6 away matches this season before this encounter. Porto had won 6 of their 9 league matches leading up this encounter and an away loss to the hands of Sporting Lisbon and two away 0-0 draws against Tondela and Vitoria Setubal. But like with all rivalries especially one such as this one you never know what to expect.

Tactical Analysis: Everton 1-1 Manchester United

This weekend of fixtures saw a game between 2 teams needing a win. Everton lost their previous match to Southampton 1-0 and United had drawn against West Ham 1-1 at home. Manchester United however had won in the mid-week League Cup match beating West Ham 3-1 and securing a semi-final match with Hull City.

For Everton, Kevin Mirallas and Tom Cleverley had been placed into the line-up replacing Barkley and Lennon, while Funes-Mori came in for Phil Jagielka. For United, Michael Carrick was starting a for the second game in a row and Henrikh Mkhitaryan earned a second Premier League start for the season after an impressive performance during the League Cup win.