The SV Podcast: Episode 2
The panel discuss the Champions League, Bundesliga title contenders and much more.
Leipzig pressing blunts Dortmund attack
After Dortmund’s issues were clear to see in their opening win against Mainz, they were completely exposed by RB Leipzig. The pressing of the hosts gave them full control over the match for large periods in what was a disappointing performance for Tuchel’s side.
City dominate at Old Trafford
Manchester United hosted their local rivals Manchester City in the 172nd edition of the Manchester derby. Although the fixture is always eagerly anticipated, the additions of Mourinho and Guardiola to their respective teams created a unique level of tension and excitement.
Tactical Theory: The strategic potential of the blind side
In football one of the most underrated and yet most important aspects is perception and how it affects decision making and the execution of actions in all phases of the game. However the importance of perception is inherent given that every action on the field is influenced by what the players perceive. The most important and most commonly used dimension of perception in football is vision. Whilst players at times use other senses, the ability to view things such as the ball, team-mates, opponents and their positions on the pitch is vital.
Guardiola’s men wrestle control with structural shift
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid met Guardiola’s Barcelona at the Bernabeu on the evening of the 10th of December 2011. Mourinho’s men went into the game with a 3 point advantage and were desperate to add to their solitary victory over their arch-rivals in Mourinho’s tenure.
SV Column: Are RB Leipzig just like any other nouveau riche club?
Everyone, including major international outlets, is talking about RB Leipzig these days. When in 2006 the Red Bull company started looking for a club in Germany they could use to market their famous energy drink, who would have thought that their project would make such headlines within a few years.
Enrique’s men resist Bilbao’s intense pressing
La Liga champions Barcelona made the short trip to the Basque country to take on Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening. In what is one of the more eagerly anticipated clashes on the La Liga calendar, Bilbao’s intense and energetic pressing was pitched against Barcelona’s commitment to passing out from defence. What followed was a thrilling encounter where only poor finishing from both sides meant the game finished with one goal.
Schubert’s side edge close encounter
Gladbach hosted Leverkusen in their opening fixture of the new Bundesliga campaign on Saturday afternoon. The game was a repeat of the fixture last may where Gladbach all but secured their top 4 spot and Champions League qualification. Although no such prize was on offer for victory in this game, both sides will be fighting to secure similar positions again this season.
Julian Weigl: Dortmund’s most important player
It is rare to see a team lose its three most crucial players all within the same transfer window. Yet over the course of 2016’s off-season, Borussia Dortmund have surrendered Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gündogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Bayern and Premier League. Despite such big losses, Tuchel and the management have replaced well and the squad is looking promising for the coming season. Reinforced by the signing of numerous young players alongside Schürrle and the return of Götze, Dortmund have a squad with great potential with the next few seasons in mind. However, their most important player may have already been at the club.
City dominant in home win over depleted West Ham
In perhaps their best performance to date under Pep, Manchester City looked excellent against an albeit weak West Ham United. From the first minute, they controlled the game with a strong display in possession matched by intelligent pressing both in and out of transitional moments.