Friday, 30.05.2025
Daniel Kahneman was one of the leading psychologists of our time. In his book Thinking, Fast and Slow, he presented extensive insights from his many years of research. This article explores how Kahneman’s findings, along with other insights from behavioral science, can be applied to (strategic and tactical) football analysis.
The Timing Game describes a playing philosophy in which the right moment of an action is crucial. It not only allows pressing traps to be reversed but also enables teams to break down deep defensive blocks with precision. In the Premier League, Brighton’s then-manager Roberto De Zerbi took this tactical approach to a new level.
We’ve made defending complicated – now we’re making it simple again!
Inter Milan’s U19 team is the only side in this season’s UEFA Youth League to have won all their matches so far, finishing the group stage of the “Youth Champions League” in first place. They also secured victory in the knockout playoff round and will now face Bayern Munich U19 in the Round of 16. This analysis will take a closer look at Inter Milan’s tactical structures and mechanisms under head coach Andrea Zanchetta in the Youth League while also considering possible approaches against them.
On Matchday 23, the two surprise teams of the Premier League faced off. Nottingham, unbeaten in their last nine matches, has impressed this season with outstanding defensive work. Bournemouth, coached by Andoni Iraola and now unbeaten in 12 games, takes a completely different tactical approach compared to most other teams. In an interview with TNT Sports, Guardiola remarked: “Today, modern football is the way Bournemouth, Newcastle, Brighton, and Liverpool play.” What exactly are these teams doing differently? Bournemouth’s approach will be analyzed in detail based on this match.
Tottenham Hotspur and TSG Hoffenheim disappoint on Thursday evening in Sinsheim, with Hoffenheim showing promising adjustments in the second half but still falling short. It was a match defined by approaches and ambivalence, as both teams displayed glimpses of potential but lacked the necessary consistency and presence. (MX)
Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United faced Hürzeler’s Brighton on Matchday 22. While Manchester United focused on creating a pressing system that was as difficult as possible to bypass, Brighton once again showcased their incredibly challenging vertical play. You can find the tactical analysis of the match here.
A key tactical tool in modern football is the use of overloads. Creating a (situational) numerical advantage allows for more effective combinations, opening up spaces, and disrupting the opponent’s defensive structure. This article explains the strategic benefits of overloads in various areas of the pitch and demonstrates how they can be created and exploited to pose challenges for the opposition.
The crisis at Manchester United keeps recurring. We take a closer look at the early weeks of Ruben Amorim’s tenure. In the first part of this analysis, we examine the development with the ball, carefully scrutinizing all steps taken. (MX)
In two new seminars we will discuss “the game as a game”. The first seminar will cover the philosophy of “playing spirit” that is increasingly more important than “fighting spirit” in the game of football. The second seminar will discuss how we should talk about the game in an entertaining, interesting and realistic way.
