4-3-3 Formation

Italy were defeated at home by Norway 1-4 in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier, which saw them lose out on their chance for direct qualification, as Norway advanced, undefeated. Although the Azzurri had more of the ball, they were outplayed by a hard-working Norwegian side led by Erling Haaland. With...

With the current international break, we can already extract some conclusions from these first months of competition in the European leagues. In La Liga, the verdict seems unanimous: one of the major surprises of the season is Elche CF under Eder Sarabia. Recently promoted after finishing as runners-up in the...

When Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández arrived at Real Betis earlier this year from MLS side Columbus Crew, eyebrows were raised.  Could a forward who had thrived on a different continent translate his game to one of Europe’s toughest leagues? Now, 12 matches into La Liga’s 2025/2026 campaign, the answer is...

By appointing Francesco Farioli as manager last summer, FC Porto signalled their intent to evolve, not just change leadership. After a period of domestic stagnation, Dragões now seek a renewal of identity, characterised by a sharper tactical framework, greater control of matches, and a return to proactive football. Farioli, aged...

Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 11 of the 2025/2026 Premier League season. The result saw the Cityzens claim second place in the league table, just four points behind Arsenal. Meanwhile, Arne Slot's Reds drop down to a modest eighth spot, right behind their arch...

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (born 1996) is a Japanese winger whose dynamism, intelligence, and relentless work rate have defined his rise from university football to becoming one of the most captivating and intriguing wide players in the EFL Championship. A product of Toyo University and a late bloomer by modern standards, Sakamoto’s...

Liverpool finally ended their 4 game Premier League losing streak, securing a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield in gameweek 10 of the 2025/2026 EPL season. Both sides were level on 15 points entering the game. However, their respective form this season has been in stark contrast. The Reds...

The Bundesliga varies between having two or three promoted teams each year, with their relegation play-off; this season, only two teams managed to come up. However, these two teams are very familiar faces, and this Sunday they matched up against each other. The home team, 1. FC Köln was promoted...

Million Manhoef (2002) is a Dutch winger whose blend of pace, tactical intelligence, and directness has made him one of the most promising attacking talents to emerge from the Netherlands in recent years. The Dutch U21 international progressed through VPV Purmersteijn, AVV Zeeburgia, and Amsterdamsche FC before joining Vitesse at 15. He...

Aston Villa defeated Manchester City by a slender margin of 1-0 in round 9 of the 2025/2026 Premier League. The result saw Unai Emery's Villa close the points gap to just one, leaving City in fifth place. Meanwhile, the hosts are now in eighth, just behind Liverpool on goal difference....

Real Madrid hosted Barcelona at the prestigious Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and, after a powerful attacking performance, convincingly won the tenth La Liga fixture. On the other hand, Barcelona's disappointing El Clásico defeat confirms the issues within this squad and widens the gap between the two teams in the standings. Following this game, Real...

Ever since the club's marvellous success story with the great Eden Hazard from 2007-2012, Lille has emerged as one of Europe's top-selling clubs and a talent developer. This summer was perhaps the greatest example, as Les Dogues recouped over €90m from the sales of Lucas Chevalier, Bafodé Diakité, and Edon Zhegrova. More generally, in...

Argentinos Juniors are one of the biggest sensations in Argentine football in 2025. El Bicho, a cradle of talents like Fernando Redondo, Juan Román Riquelme, or the legendary Diego Armando Maradona, have established themselves as a contender for the Torneo Clausura. Positioned third in the Annual Table, the last direct...

PSG faced Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes for the eighth fixture of Ligue 1, and the game ended in a very entertaining 3-3 draw that does not help anyone except Olympique de Marseille. After winning their match against Le Havre, they can benefit from this draw and move closer to the...

Barcelona lost their UEFA Champions League clash with PSG at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium after a challenging match that witnessed an excellent level of football from both sides, but with more realism, concretisation, and consistency from PSG, who were more determined to win throughout the 90 minutes. Barcelona failed...

Liverpool Montevideo have been one of the incredible sensations in Uruguay and, indeed, all of South America this year. After a complicated 2024, following a historic 2023 that saw them crowned Uruguayan champions for the first time in their history, the team failed to qualify for continental competitions. However, the...

At one point, Jaden Philogene was considered one of England’s most promising young talents. Unlike many of his peers who came through established elite academies, a young Jaden Philogene developed his skills at London’s Pro: Direct Academy. This non-traditional route helped shape his resilience and distinctive playing style. His performances there...

El Derbi Madrileño is always a massive story in the Spanish capital, and it was not different this past weekend when Atlético Madrid hosted Real Madrid for the first derby in La Liga this season. For Atlético Madrid, the season didn’t get off to the greatest start. After six games,...

Kaine Kesler-Hayden is still only 22 years old and emerging as one of the EFL Championship’s most promising full-back and wing-back talents to watch this season. A product of the Aston Villa Academy, Kesler-Hayden captained their U18 side to FA Youth Cup success in 2021 and has represented England at...

Arsenal hosted Manchester City in matchweek 5 of the 2025/2026 Premier League season, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This game saw a different Man City at the Emirates Stadium. With just 33%, this was the lowest ball possession Pep Guardiola’s Man City have ever recorded in this fixture. The visitors...