von JD am 12.06.2025
in den Kategorien Tactical Theory
mit 0 Kommentaren
Over the last years, one of the main concepts regularly mentioned on this website – but so far rarely explained – is the one about Diagonality. Whether in the theory articles about the blind side, the discussion about relational football or 2014’s classic about The Half-Spaces, diagonality either played an implicit or a very explicit role. Yet, there hasn’t been a real deep dive into this topic – until now. The Fools of Spielverlagerung proudly present: An Article about an angle. Diagonality is here.
Collaborative article by Addis Worku, Martin Rafelt, René Marić, George Jones & Judah Davies
von JD am 12.06.2025
in den Kategorien Tactical Theory
mit 0 Kommentaren
Football is often framed in terms of vertical and horizontal play – attacking “directly” upfield versus spreading the pitch wide. Yet between these axes lies an equally crucial but subtler dimension: diagonality. Diagonal passes, runs, and structures connect the vertical with the horizontal, unlocking angles that pure north-south or east-west approaches cannot. In geometric terms, a player in a central position has roughly eight directions to play the ball (forward, backward, left, right, plus four diagonal angles), whereas near the touchline there are only five (forward, backward, square inside, square outside, and two diagonals) 1 . Those extra diagonal options dramatically expand the attacking vocabulary. Diagonality is not just a hybrid of vertical and horizontal – it is a first-principles concept in its own right, one that influences how space is created, perceived, and exploited at the highest levels of the game.
von Next Generation am 26.05.2025
in den Kategorien Uncategorized, Video Analysis
mit 3 Kommentaren
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.
von Next Generation am 31.03.2025
in den Kategorien Tactical Theory
mit 1 Kommentar
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.
von MR am 25.03.2025
in den Kategorien SV Academy, Tactical Theory
mit 0 Kommentaren
We’ve made defending complicated – now we’re making it simple again!
von Next Generation am 05.03.2025
in den Kategorien Team Portraits
mit 0 Kommentaren
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.
von Next Generation am 28.01.2025
in den Kategorien Premier League, Team Portraits
mit 0 Kommentaren
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.
von Next Generation am 25.01.2025
in den Kategorien Europa League
mit 0 Kommentaren
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)
von Next Generation am 21.01.2025
in den Kategorien Premier League
mit 0 Kommentaren
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.
von Next Generation am 15.01.2025
in den Kategorien Tactical Theory
mit 0 Kommentaren
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.
