Blog - The Football Castle

March 2, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga, Tactical Analysis

Behind Real Madrid’s El Clasico success

Real Madrid returned to the summit of La Liga with the 2-0 win in El Clásico that takes them one point ahead of fierce rivals, Barcelona. A pulsating end-to-end game between players who left everything on the pitch. It was undoubtedly the best Clásico since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018, fittingly on the…

March 1, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

Why Liverpool’s unbeaten streak came to an end

It was bound to happen at some point. Liverpool’s Unbeaten Premier League run ended with a 3-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Watford. As goals from Ismaïla Sarr and Troy Deeney ensured Jürgen Klopp’s men fell five games short of Arsenal’s 2004 ‘invincibles’ record of 49 Premier League games undefeated. A whole 422 days after their last…

February 21, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

How ex-international is impacting the future of African football

It is well-known the huge abyss in football development in Africa between grassroots/amateur level and making it as a professional. The defunct system of football development at schools before subsequent scouting and proper coaching makes it an uphill battle to get a chance to become a Pro. The conveyor belt of talented players across Africa continues…

February 18, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Why Dortmund – PSG will be one of the games of the season

The very best of European football provides one of its classics with a potential game of the season, as Paris Saint Germain travel to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg. This tie promises a showcase of breathtaking attacking football which sees Europe’s highest-scoring side (PSG) come up against joint-third….

February 13, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

A friday night classic at the Molineux

As a boy, I often imagined who would ‘win’ irregular brawls between animals in the wild. Say between a wolf and a fox. The Premier League’s Wolves square up to the Foxes, however, in what is more than a clash of carnivores. It presents a meeting of Midlands rivals and a tantalizing return to Premier…

January 31, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga, Tactical Analysis

Madrid derby on the horizon

The Madrid derby awaits at Santiago Bernabéu. One of the most anticipated games in Spanish football lights up the country’s capital this weekend. Table-topping Real Madrid are flying at the moment, looking to continue their three-game winning run against rivals Atlético Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has steadied Los Blancos this season, currently unbeaten in 20 games…

January 27, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Serie A, Tactical Analysis

The Italian Opening

It was exactly the spark the Serie A title race needed. Napoli inflicted Juventus and Maurizio Sarri’s second league defeat of the season on Sarri’s return to Naples. The 2-1 win halted their five-game winning run and denied Juventus the chance to go six points clear of Inter Milan atop the Serie A standings. A…

January 24, 2020

Babajide Adewunmi-EverBlazin

Features, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

Ole on His Final Lifeline at Old Trafford

As the clock ticks, Time seems not to be on the side of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford. The baby-faced assassin as he was fondly called during his playing days has indirectly stained the clean slate he had in the first few months in charge of Manchester United. For many a-time this season, Ole’s…

January 24, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Player Analysis, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

Liverpool’s captain fantastic

Liverpool, the narrative ceases to change doesn’t it? 16 points clear with a game in hand, the Reds keep marching on to a first Premier League title in 30 years, winning maximum points each game. A hero steps up to the plate every game, and against Wolves, it was their captain fantastic. Jordan Henderson. Following…

January 22, 2020

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Fantasy Premier League, Features, Player Analysis, Premier League

Gabriel Martinelli: The Unlikely teenager inspiring the Gunners

Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal to a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Chelsea as he became the first teenager since Nicolas Anelka to reach double figures for Arsenal. Martinelli is the teenager with the second-most goals in Europe’s top five leagues after Jadon Sancho with 10 goals and three assists in 21 appearances. The unknown 18-year-old joined…