Liverpool’s right versus Ajax’s left

Following a dismal display, losing 4–1 to Napoli in their opening Champions League group game, Liverpool needed to bounce back strongly. And they did just that, winning 2-1 against a confident and in-form Ajax side who lead the Eredivise, and beat Rangers in their opening game.

Although Ajax defended well, and created chances of their own, Liverpool dominated proceedings, with 24 shots to Ajax’s 3, whilst also controlling the tempo of the game, largely through midfielder Thiago.

And an interesting recurrence in Liverpool creating chances that led to chances, was the expected attacks from the flanks, notably down their right-side.

Brighton’s pressing hindered United in possession

Erik Ten Hag did not get off to the best of starts in his first taste of Premier League football as Manchester United manager. His new side lost their opening game of the season 1-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion, who, led by Graham Potter, came to Old Trafford with an interesting game plan, and secured their second win against United in as many games.

During the first-half, Brighton adopted a back three system as expected, and executed effective man-to-man pressing tactics. The adopted pressing comprised of a few key features, and did also come with a flexibility which meant that at points, Brighton seemed to refrain from an entirely fixed shape when pressing United higher up the pitch.

Ødegaard kept attacks going and right-side combinations led to all three goals in comeback

It tends to take Arsenal a while to get going in games. They often need a moment of madness or the opposition to score to begin to impose themselves. And this is exactly what happened on Sunday.

In a tasty encounter with West Ham United, the Hammers started excellently and took a remarkable three goal lead after just 32 minutes, with the pick of those a fantastic effort from Jesse Lingard on the edge of the penalty-area after some good work from Michail Antonio down the left. This was then followed by a quickly taken free-kick setting up winger Jarrod Bowen one-on-one with goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the box, with the latter spilling the shot. A cross from Vladimir Coufal on the right was headed by Antonio and deflected off of Tomas Soucek to rub salt in the wounds.

Arsenal played with more intensity in attack thereafter, bringing the deficit back to two on the stroke of half-time. They would then go on to dominate the second-half and score two further goals to complete a comeback, with much of that down to January loaned Martin Ødegaard, who kept attacks going and was involved in the build-up to all of Arsenal’s goals.

Midfielders helped United execute set-up and reacted well to City’s attacks

It was the ideal response to such an underwhelming display against Crystal Palace mid-week. The pressing, and then the compactness of shape and counter-attacks all worked perfectly. Yet the display itself may cause division in debate.

Not whether it was convincing or not, but was it expected? No? Based on City’s overall form, the United’s intensity in their previous game and fatigue potentially taking a toll. Yes? It was a necessary win, United have at times pressed intently, there seemingly would be chances to counter, and this isn’t the first time Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has bettered Pep Guardiola.

And the Norwegian once again bettered the Spaniard through being compact and switching from defence to attack quickly. Here’s analysis of the roles of double pivot Scott McTominay and Fred.

Raphinha’s runs and deliveries cause havoc down the left-wing

Raphinha’s largely associated with cutting inside from the right-wing and sending inswinging crosses into the box or shooting from range. But although this is an adored facet of the winger’s game, there is so much more to his game than just that.

And this was shown by Raphinha excelling on the left-wing during the second-half in Leeds United’s 3-0 win against Southampton.

Assessing Newcastle’s 4-D-2 in close 3-2 win against Southampton

For the past three Premier League games, Newcaslte United have used a 4-Diamond-2 instead of the familiar 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 set-ups. In doing so, Steve Bruce’s side have accumulated two wins, the second of which a close 3-2 against the out of form Southampton.

Look at all that space! Brighton exploit space left by Leeds in midfield

In Leeds United’s defence and midfield’s relationship, one needed space from the other. That didn’t mean the other should pack their bags and move abroad.

Retro Analysis: Brazil 0-1 Argentina, 1990 World Cup

Argentina may have reached the 1986 World Cup final in style, much due to their talisman Diego Maradona, but reached the final again four years later in less spectacular circumstances. Carlos Bilardo’s side were facing somewhat of an injury crisis, with Maradona having to fare with an ingrown toenail. Football was also at a stage tactically where a defensive approach was seen as the solution, which was partially influenced by Argentina’s success in Mexico.

Therefore, more and more teams were similarly playing a 3-5-2 with a sweeper, and one of those was Brazil, who Argentina faced in the second round. The game was won by Argentina, but it was Brazil who were more assertive on the ball and created more chances.

Brazil started with a well-balanced set-up. Their defenders were composed in possession, and used midfielders willing to do the running without it. Unlike Brazil, Argentina were continuing to play with a no.10 in behind the centre-forward whilst maintaining the three in midfield.

Compactness, attacking down the flanks and penalties sealed victory for Leicester at the Etihad.

A convincing win against Wolves in Manchester City’s opening league game has now been overshadowed by a tumultuous 2-5 defeat to Leicester City. There’s much to discuss about what issues Pep Guardiola’s side may or may not have, but although things will be briefly mentioned here, this is a matter worth its own piece.

But, what can’t be undermined was how Leicester’s tactical game plan worked to a tee. The Foxes attacked the Citizens with overloads in the final-third, and the wing-backs and left-winger Harvey Barnes exploited spaces out wide and via the channels respectively.

A flexible 4-2-3-1 with fluid attacks kicked off City’s campaign nicely, but Wolves still threatened

Whereas Wolves were a thorn in the Manchester City crown last season, winning both fixtures in dramatic fashion, Pep Guardiola’s side got off to the perfect start in the new season with a convincing 1-3 win.

Crowds may still be vacant from stadiums across the country, but there was still much to cheer about as chance after chance was served onto the plates of hungry attackers during the first-half, with City’s fluid combinations testing Wolves. Though this didn’t stop the hosts from trying to claim something once again from City following the interval, mostly through running in behind City’s centre-backs.

Nevertheless, City dominated possession and by extension the game. It wasn’t just a case of passing around Wolves’ 5-3-2 defensive shape, however. Here’s a breakdown of City’s build-up and attacking patterns that led to chances and goals.