Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona defeated Villarreal 2-0 in Gameweek 17 of the 2025/2026 edition of LaLiga at Estadio de la Ceramica. With goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, the Catalans went four points clear of Real Madrid. The visitors had most of the ball, having 79% possession. Although missing Pedri was a concern...

As Barcelona approach the first Clásico of the 2025/2026 season under Hansi Flick tactics, the atmosphere feels markedly different from the dominance of the previous campaign. Flick, who led the team to a historic domestic treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, while defeating...

Barcelona hosted Real Sociedad in matchday seven of the 2025/2026 La Liga season, which ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for the Catalans. With yet another domestic game where they had over 70% ball possession (75%), it was no surprise that Sociedad struggled to create opportunities and generated just a...

The 2025/2026 La Liga campaign arrives as a defining chapter for Barcelona under the stewardship of Hansi Flick, following a season that provoked as many questions as it did answers. Flick’s arrival last year signalled a decisive break from recent managerial patterns, embedding a philosophy grounded in high defensive lines,...

Pep Guardiola’s side missed out on a Premier League title for the first time in the last five seasons, finishing in a respectable 3rd place but 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Following a relatively unsuccessful season (by Man City standards), which included an FA Cup Final loss to Crystal Palace, Manchester City has made...

Barcelona faced Real Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc, for the 35th fixture of La Liga. The match ended 4-3 for the Blaugrana. This was a roller-coaster of goals, especially during the first half. Barcelona's outstanding attacking performance was countered by Real Madrid’s efforts to equalise, but unfortunately, Kylian Mbappé’s...

In this tactical analysis, we examine build-up play and explain how opposition-pressing triggers can be exploited to overcome the press. We will analyse the most common pressing triggers and their influence on available space and passing lanes. Cover-Shadow Exploitation In order to find solutions to overcome the opposition press, one...

After 11 games of the 2024/25 La Liga season, FC Barcelona sit top of the table, six points clear of second-place defending champions Real Madrid. It’s been a highly impressive start to life in the Barca dugout for ex-FC Bayern and Germany manager Hansi Flick, whose win percentage now stands...

While the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they have not reached the same round in the UEFA European Championships since 2008 – they failed to earn qualification at all for the 2016 Euros and were dumped out at the round of 16 in the 2020...

"In all things of nature, there is something of the marvellous." — Aristotle One of the most paramount proficiencies in football lies in retaining possession. Hence, players adept at maintaining control and manoeuvring within confined areas enjoy a distinct advantage in a game where inherent talent is notably constrained. Particular...

Who Is Sergio Busquets? For 15 years, Sergio Busquets has been at the heart of Barcelona’s midfield and, by extension, at the heart of their successes and downfalls. Perhaps one of the most underappreciated players of his generation, Busquets has revolutionized the role of defensive midfielder by combining defensive prowess with technical...

Even at a tough moment in Barcelona's history, one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world, with a strong tradition of producing talented players and playing with a tiki-taka style of play, La Masia produced two world-class talented players for the first team: Pablo Martín Páez Gavira...

Ajax Amsterdam were capable of reaching the Champions League semi-finals with a relatively young side under Erik ten Hag. The Dutch coach could mold the young Ajax team into a competitive Champions League side. Therefore, Erik ten Hag utilised several tactical concepts that lent Ajax their dominant style of play....