Barcelona 4-0 Stuttgart: Guardiola’s alternative shape proves successful for...
Fascinating that Pep Guardiola continued to use Barcelona’s ‘alternative’ system – the 4-2-4ish formation they played in the second half against Valencia at the weekend – to great effect. Zlatan...
View ArticleIs Barcelona’s alternative shape really a 4-2-4?
Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side have generally played with a 4-3-3 since he took over nearly two years ago. His natural ‘plan B’ last season was to switch his striker, Samuel Eto’o, with his...
View ArticleRoma 2-1 Inter: A narrow victory that could turn out to be crucial
There’s a case for saying that was the first huge game of the season. Title favourites Inter against the side who look most likely to topple them, and Jose Mourinho up against Claudio Ranieri – the man...
View ArticleBarcelona 2009/10: fewer trophies, better team
Barcelona’s 2008/09 season was the most successful in their history; the most successful in any club’s history. Surely they couldn’t have an equally good campaign this time around? The most immediate...
View ArticleAntonio Conte’s system isn’t a 4-2-4, but it still provides excitement
The 4-2-4 is a mythical formation, immediately bringing to mind the Brazil side of 1970, maybe the greatest international side in history. It is seldom used in modern football at the top level, and...
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