UEFA Champions League - Football Castle

October 24, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Player Analysis, Premier League, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Captain America to the rescue

Christian Pulisic produced the moment of magic in a Mature Chelsea performance against Ajax in the Champions League. The American has attracted attention in recent weeks for the lack of minutes offered by Chelsea boss Frank Lampard. The blues faced their toughest test of the season, and despite injuries in defensive ranks, kept a clean sheet away to one…

July 4, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Premier League, Serie A, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

The easier way: Grit or flair?

A tight defence, balanced midfield and flowing attack; these are the three components that make a great football team. Down the years, national teams and club sides have been deficient in particular departments with success; but which is the easier way to succeed? 2019 Champions League winners Liverpool had a fantastic forward line and a…

May 31, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Through blood, sweat and tears

Europe’s second all-English final beckons as English football gets set for another display of domestic rivalry on the continent. Tottenham versus Liverpool is a thrilling Premier League clash with both clubs operating on a similar model of utilizing young players playing high-speed, high-energy football. Jürgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino began their respective projects just over…

May 9, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Philosophy or passion?

Divock Origi and Lucas Moura; It’s very unlikely that you would forget the names anymore. These Fringe players have inspired the unlikeliest of comebacks in football history twice within 24 hours; sending the world into a frenzy of “Impossible is nothing” and “Never give up”(thanks to Mo Salah). Football has a way of rewarding such…

May 2, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Player Analysis, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Lionel Messi reigns supreme

(Getty Images) Spanish La Liga champions Barcelona triumphed in the latest challenge to their Champions league dream. In the semi-final first leg against Liverpool, Lionel Messi put in yet another masterclass. Barca weathered Liverpool’s early storm, with Joël Matip in particular and Fabinho recovering possession and doing a decent job keeping Messi quiet. Arturo Vidal’s…

April 17, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

The dawn of Ajax

Ajax have gone about giant-killing again; the latest in their story of this season’s wonderful Champions League campaign is of collective brilliance over individuality. This team is perhaps not about to win the competition three times in a row but have dispelled the individualistic dominance of first Real Madrid and then Cristiano Ronaldo over this…

April 8, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

A classic at the theatre of dreams

It’s almost upon us, the Champions league quarterfinals offers some historic clashes, not least Manchester United versus Barcelona. This European football classic brings a lot of nostalgia for supporters of both sides. For Man United, it is hoped that some of that Ole magic remains and he can navigate past the almighty Catalans. While Barcelona…

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 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…

December 13, 2018

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, UEFA Champions League

Dead rubber classics

Every professional sportsperson would tell you that there’s no such thing as a dead rubber game. The round of fixtures typically featuring the dead rubber games in the UEFA Champions league lived up to expectation. Expectation is relative in this case. Just ask Tottenham fans, if you can find any. Alisson denies Arkadiusz Milik in…

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