Blog - Football Castle

March 29, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Player Analysis, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

Mohammed Salah: Recharged red pharaoh

The prolific Egyptian has understandably failed to reach the incredible goal-scoring highs of last season, but could just prove decisive in the title race. Mohammed Salah’s dip in goalscoring form from last season has been down to so many reasons; he was rushed back from a shoulder injury in the Champions league final to participate in…

March 25, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Tactical Analysis

Germany on the mend

Germany are back to winning ways. That post-2014 world cup spirit of grabbing the win anyhow is certainly welcome in the new era. The Germans are rebuilding following last year’s disastrous world cup defence and limp UEFA Nation’s League campaign; culminating in Joachim Low forcing early retirements on Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller….

March 12, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga

Yours Blancos, Zizou

Zinedine Zidane is back as the manager of Real Madrid, 284 days after sensationally walking away from the post, during the celebrations of a third successive Champions league title. The Frenchman fore-saw the decline of an ageing squad without much motivation in terms of trophies or fresh talent, and duly quit the job to save…

March 6, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

How to rebuild

Real Madrid have been ousted as the undisputed kings of Europe. After three successive Champions league triumphs, it’s is time to rebuild at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Spanish side’s problems run deeper than the 4-1 embarrassment at home to Ajax; although the young Dutch side deserve their reward for being such a vibrant unit, pushing…

February 28, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Player Analysis, Premier League

Take in a Mkhi

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is finally showing his best form in an Arsenal shirt. His switch to the gunners in the January 2018 transfer window was something of an under-tone in Alexis Sanchez’s swap deal to Machester United. His arrival also coincided with that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose form has been nothing short of brilliant during Mkhitaryan’s…

February 25, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Premier League

Goodbye strange one, never return

(C) AFP As you would know since my last post, Liverpool and Bayern Munich could only serve up a goalless draw. Barcelona also played out the same scoreline with Lyon on the same night but have since shaken off those cobwebs, a wonderful Leo Messi hattrick inspiring them to a 4-2 win at Sevilla. Liverpool…

February 19, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Red? or red? at Anfield

Title-chasing Liverpool (yep, Man. United fans, that’s what they are these days) square up to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round Of 16. This first leg is about sending out strong enough teams to be in a decent position for the second tie for the managers. This is due to the long list of…

February 15, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga

Ride on jefe

Diego Simeone and Ernesto Valverde of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona respectively have been handed new contracts. Simeone gets reward for his service to Atleti with a contract that runs until 2022. The deal sees him up to 11 years as manager of the club he once played for. Valverde, on the other hand gets a…

February 11, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, La Liga, Player Analysis, Tactical Analysis

Jr’s teenage kicks

Real Madrid youngster Vinicius Júnior is repaying the faith shown in him by manager Santiago Solari. The Brazil wonderkid who had drawn attention following a big money move from Flamengo over the summer proves his worth. The Real Madrid hierarchy was unhappy with ex-manager Julen Lopetegui for under-utilizing the forward during their tumultuous start to…

February 2, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

My chelsea – huddersfield rambles

Chelsea ensured a significant upturn of form with an emphatic response to their recent woes which could offer the turning point in their season. It was a performance which cleared the cobwebs of the last couple of months, when an underwhelming return infront of goal threatened to undermine Maurizio Sarri’s attacking philosophy. A clean sheet…