#defensive-issues

#defensive-issues

In the few months he has been there, Thomas Müller transformed a team with mere raw potential into a team with the grit to win trophies. Having won the Canadian Championship and the Western Conference, the only trophy left was the MLS Cup Final against Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami. David Beckham's Miami though defeated by the Caps twice this season played with their entire being and won the game 3-1. Here are the observations from the game.

Another level. If Rodri came on for the last 20 minutes against Fulham, put right in the middle, do you know the effect? Just his presence, not even touching the ball? The other 10 players feel safe, better. They play better even if he doesn't touch the ball. Just the fact that he is there. And for one year and a half we didn't have it.

Unlike his misfiring side, when Tony Docherty took aim last weekend he did not miss. "An unacceptable level of performance," he said. "I have always come out and defended the players. I can't defend that." The Ross County manager took no prisoners after his side lost 3-0 at home to Greenock Morton. To be fair to the Staggies' strikers, the Dingwall side are ranked sixth when it comes to goals scored in the Championship.

Despite securing a much-welcomed 2-1 victory against Annecy last month, Le RAF have lost each of their other three Ligue 2 appearances and they have shown some worrying defensive issues. Including another 2-1 loss agains Amiens on October 25th, Rodez have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions - a run that stems all the way back to September 12th.

Eintracht have placed the emphasis on keeping the opposition quiet in their past two competitive games, and with good reason after suddenly becoming one of the most porous teams defensively in the Bundesliga, and that concerning pattern extending into the UEFA Champions League. Three conceded at Bayer Leverkusen started the unwanted trend and it worsened with four against both Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach and then five Gegentore against both Atlético Madrid and Liverpool on the continental front

Starting with the hosts, while Real Zaragoza might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their Segunda status, Los Manos have an almighty battle on their hands. Getting this weekend's fixtures underway sat rock-bottom of the table, Ruben Selles' new squad have continued to show a string of glaring issues. Only putting six points on the board from any of their first 13 Segunda appearances, the former Sheffield United boss has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders.

You need every player to work and I think this season teams have targeted [Liverpool] down the right, Salah doesn't run back, there's an obvious concern for Liverpool down there because he's not getting back and not having the consistency of a right back playing every game. I think teams are targeting down that side. [Manchester] City done it and I felt sorry for Bradley, he needed help.

Lawlar's defense was a significant issue late this year. The Diamondbacks finally opened everyday playing time for him at third base with the Eugenio Suárez deadline deal. Lawlar was on the minor league injured list for a couple weeks but was recalled at the end of August. His third base audition didn't last long. Lawlar committed four errors in 76 innings, two apiece on September 7 and 14.

Last seen putting in another nightmare performance as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Al-Khaleej, Thursday's hosts have lost three of their previous four Pro League appearances. Heading into October's international break with a dramatic 3-2 loss at home against Neom, Al-Riyadh have continued to show some glaring defensive issues. Including a 5-1 drumming against Al-Nassr last month, Calleja's downbeat squad have already shipped 15 goals in their opening six Pro League matchups.

Extending on their FA Cup qualifying adventure earlier in the month as they secured an action-packed 4-2 victory away at Chichester, the mood in Paul Johnson's camp should be at a red-hot high. Despite only making their Southern League Premier Division return this season, the Town have come flying out of the traps. Including a 3-0 romp against Dorchester on September 27th, Tuesday's guests are remarkably unbeaten in all of their first 14 appearances across all competitions.

Starting with the hosts, only making their Serie B return this season, it is no secret that Amazonas' sole priority has been on maintaining their second-tier status this time around. However, getting Wednesday's showdown underway sat in the drop zone and five points adrift of safety, Marcio Zanardi's side have an almighty challenge on their hands over the final six weeks.

Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they stormed their way to a record-breaking seventh consecutive domestic crown, Slovan Bratislava have only continued on from where they left off to the summer break. Last seen extended in their stellar start to proceedings as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Trencin, Vladimir Weiss' men have once again skyrocketed their way to the top of the First League standings.

Starting with the hosts, only making their Ligue 1 debut this season, it is no secret that Paris' sole focus is on maintaining their top-flight status this time around. Despite getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with consecutive defeats, Stephane Gilli's side have shown some signs of improvement on either side of September's international break. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a 2-1 victory away at Brest,

Yeah, it's a fair comment. I think everyone has seen the picture, seen the goal. Here we pride ourselves in trying to play a high line, it is something the boss has instilled since he first came. We didn't quite get it right. Things have not been good for us so far this season. But there are blips in the season and we are going through that now. Hopefully we can move on.

That was a huge blown opportunity. The Cards had a chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC West. Yet, they somehow couldn't stop Mac Jones from putting together a ten-play, 63-yard drive in 1:46 that led to the 49ers kicking a game-winning field goal. That is a major red flag for a head coach who is supposed to be a defensive specialist. This loss might end up being the difference between Arizona making and missing the 2026 NFL Playoffs.

However, despite landing an eye-catching 3-1 victory outside of Hertfordshire on Saturday afternoon, the Scholars have once again drastically failed to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. Watching their FA Cup qualifying adventure come to an end earlier in the month as they eventually fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Hitchin, Max Mitchell's side have mustered just a single win from any of their first eight appearances across all competitions.

Teams that come up from the Championship will not be able to play out the back against Arsenal. They're one of the best defensive and pressing sides in the league! The goalkeeper had two or three warnings. Gyokeres just has to settle himself down. Maybe he's reaching but he should do a lot better. That should be the final warning for Leeds, it's ridiculous.

When Ibrox turns on its own like this, there's a temptation to put in the earplugs and don the crash helmet. It ain't pretty. It's as visceral as it gets; loud and vicious, words coming like blades, capable of cutting their target in half.

Germany's defensive frailties were on full display, and although they started strong, they couldn't maintain their momentum, ultimately succumbing to Sweden's offensive prowess.

"We didn't play well. There are many explanations for this. If you are 1-0 up, you can't give it up."