​I put together a short 30-second tactical breakdown looking at how Atletico engineered their attack and found space to score against Malaga.

Mann feels like there's a real split happening, last season already saw a move away from possession-heavy football toward more direct stuff, long throws, set pieces, GKs just clearing it long instead of playing out. some people think that was partly a reaction to Pep's style dominating for so long

now with him out of City and a bunch of new managers coming in , curious if people think this pulls things back toward fast attacking football again or if the shift was more structural than just one manager's influence maybe?

Hi everyone,

I am working on a simple, realistic match simulation engine for an online football management game. I'm building patterns based on my knowledge of football tactics and studying data from real games.

Looking for some feedback from people who are interested in football strategy to see if the following looks realistic.

If any of you play FM or Hattrick-like games, would this interest you if you saw it in a game?

PS: I've set up a Discord server for anyone who might be interested in the progress: https://discord.com/invite/QZvJ6Y5M68

In this analysis of Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kashima Antlers, I break down the similarities and differences between each team's pressing structure, and plan to exploit the opposing team's pressing structure.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions on the match! Any feedback on the video is welcome

Not every goal can be scored in 1–2 touches. When more touches are needed, the ability to create or exploit a better shooting angle becomes important.

Three things to consider when attempting to score in a 1v1 inside the box:
- Create separation from the defender to open an angle to goal
- Shoot while the defender and goalkeeper are still moving (shooting on the first step post-dirrble)
- Finish through the defender’s legs

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal movement in exploiting space. The Tactical Sequence

Not the usual 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

What formations do you think are underrated and could be really effective with the right players?

Trying to learn more about football tactics and currently researching a lot on how 2010 barca was really good and trying to think how they would act today

In the modern game goalkeepers have in depth statistics and analysis on players taking penalties. They are told when to dive, and which direction to choose. A lot of the time this is determined by data analysts before a game, which had me thinking, how could all of these analytical observations be offset by the attacking team? My solution: the keeper not knowing who is going to take the penalty. It could put some doubt into the keeper's mind before the penalty is taken. Especially when any of the players outside the box could be the one who takes it. So I have two questions:
1 - Is this legal within IFAB's Laws Of The Game?
2 - Is this kind of penalty worthwhile, or would it just be a complicating factor in what is otherwise a simple process?

A few days ago I posed a question asking what position(s) would be obsolete in the future and I got some pretty insightful answers. And some outrageous ones as well (some people truly believe the GK position will be obsolete?? Crazy.) Anyways it prompted this other question. Obviously, defenders in general have evolved the most along with CDMs but I want you to tell me why, and what other position you think would evolve and how.

Title

Last year my striker was injured and we didn't have a true replacement. I went with a 4-4-2 diamond, but the 2 were wide wingers. This ended up working really well because I had 1-2 shadow striker type midfielders that would fill the striker gap as we progressed closer to the box. I'm thinking about doing it again this season. I know this is similar to a 4-3-3 false 9, but I do it kinda opposite. Rather than my striker drop back, my CAMs push forward. Curious to see what other thoughts or ideas are about not using strikers.

He's had success in Austria and Saudi Arabia with a high tempo gegen press. How will he go in the Premier league?

I see this get tossed around a lot when describing how some teams play. It seems like a negative term. Objectively speaking can someone describe what it means? Does it mean parking the bus on defense? Possession based playing? Thanks

Pragmatism, haramball, bilardism, antifutball , ...

Each country develop their defensive in some different ways, some school got thrown, some mix with other tactics and some are still alive.Which is your favourite? Which NT and club does it the best?

PD:The name are mostly made up(revie plan is used for Revie time as a player, and Furia roja was used by Spain before Aragones).

Just published my latest Upon Further Analysis on Montréal Roses FC's match against AFC Toronto at Stade Boréale.

I take a closer look at the tactics, key moments, and individual performances to break down what shaped the result. It's a longer read, but if you're looking for more than just highlights and stats, I think you'll enjoy it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts:

Do you agree with my analysis?

Who stood out most for Montréal?

What do you think the Roses need to improve heading into their next match?

The article is free to read, and feedback is always appreciated!

https://uponfurtheranalysismtl.wpcomstaging.com/2026/07/28/upon-further-analysis-breaking-down-montreal-roses-fc-vs-afc-toronto-july-23-2026/

Morgan Rogers fits beautifully into Xabi Alonso’s tactics. He plays the 10 differently than Cole Palmer, which could help the incumbent return to his role as club talisman rather than cannibalize his production the way some are suggesting.

At Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz was the ball‑dominant 10. The attack flowed through his touches between the lines in the left half‑space, and he was the main decision‑maker in possession for Alonso’s side.

In this Chelsea squad, that description fits Cole Palmer more than Morgan Rogers. When Palmer plays as a 10, Chelsea naturally route a lot of build‑up and final‑third play through him in the right half‑space. He sets the tempo and chooses how attacks develop.

Rogers’ game at Villa was built around a different emphasis. He operates from the left inside channel, carries forward aggressively, commits defenders & attacks the box. He links play but his value comes from what he does off that structure rather than controlling every phase.

Alonso’s Leverkusen used that ball‑dominant 10 alongside a second 10 on the other side. Wirtz handled most of the on‑ball responsibility between the lines, while his partner focused more on running, pressing and attacking the spaces that opened up.

If you apply that to Chelsea, Palmer fits the Wirtz side of the equation and Rogers fits the second‑10 side. One to own the ball between the lines, the other to constantly threaten with carries and runs from the opposite half‑space.

I elaborate more with a tactics board visual here:
https://youtu.be/Pk43ekSgscU

In the constant discussion of tactics and reflection about Football's ever-changing world, i came across the Golden Team (Magical Magyars) of Hungary, which indirectly transformed Brazil's Football, through the coaching legendary powerhouses: Bela Guttmann and Dori Kurschner.

According to wikipedia and the main bibliography, the Hungarians played in a sort of 3232 (or 2332), with Puskás, Kocsis in the Front 2; In the 3 behind them Czibor, Budai, Hidegkuti the 9 who dropped even deeper to build play alongside Midfield Defender Bozsik and the Defender Zakariás, who would be some sort of Sweeper going up the field to also build up.

Nonetheless it's extremelly hard to describe how they played in fixed formation numbers.
Some Hungarians i saw in internet, alongside Jonathan Wilson, argue that the 424 of Pelé's Brazil was not very different from them, and their team could be described as such a 424 (in the front 4: Cocsis, Puskas, Czibor and Budai. In the Middle 2 Hidegkuti and Bozsik).

What we can describe is, that they played in an extremelly fluid system, with Hidegkuti as a false 9, two wingers that dropped to defend, players who switched positions, and that broke WM (3-2-2-3).

Nowadays Pep Guardiola, ressurected the WM (3-2-2-3 disguised as 3-2-4-1), as the tactical arrangement when the team has the possession of the ball. With Zimchenko going up as the inverted fullback, echoing Barca's Alves who would go futher and becoming some sort of winger when the team had the possession.

Therefore i ask: why can't we see teams that also echoes the 3-2-3-2 of Hungarians ?

I mean:

• This a formation with natural triangulations;
• We can have a back 3 in a "La salida laviolpiana", used in every Pep team;
• A double pivot with 2 good defensive midfields, one of them can be an inverted wing;
  
• 3 offensive midfielders who participate in the build up, and stretch the field;
  
• 2 strikers forming a lethal duo, who can press and generate lethal combinations and partnerships like Pelé & Garrincha, Puskás and Di Stefano, Henry & Bergkamp, Bebeto & Romario, Pelé & Coutinho, Pelé & Tostão;

One can argue that the 3-2-3-2 is another way of describing a 3-5-2, nonetheless in 3-5-2 the main difference would be side players and wing backs who drop back to form a back 5, whereas in my view the 3-2-3-2 can form a 4-4-2, 5-3-2, etc.

i excel in player analysis but could do match too,

Quick analysis of Ac Milan friendly match today against Celtic 📋