#tactics

#tactics

The only frustration is with a fuller squad we'd have even more points on the board - we'd certainly be more creative in the final third,

The red card changed the game after three minutes. After the red card for them, 10 v 10, it changed the game for us. We needed to start in a better way. "It's a red card. [We should have had] a penalty for Joao." After the red card, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer were all sacrificed so Chelsea could change formations to match United.

Finding it hard to get one over on your former boss after a run of eight straight defeats? Devise a gameplan that restricts their most important players and lead Arsenal to five games unbeaten against Manchester City if you include the Community Shield win in 2023, equalling the longest streak of any manager against Pep Guardiola, alongside Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

It is a quiet midweek afternoon on the outskirts of Bristol and, up to now, Natasha Mo' Hunt has been her normal upbeat self. England's scrum-half has been discussing any number of topics, from her love of rugby's tactical nuances to her croissant-loving fans, with the easy confidence of someone relishing every second of this women's Rugby World Cup. Her sparkly eyed positivity is such that it's easy to forget she has had to escape the heart of darkness to be here.

Traditionally one of United's primary attacking outlets, thriving when given freedom to push forward, create chances, and support the forwards, Fernandes finds himself operating closer to his own penalty box. Many believe this shift is limiting his ability to impact games in the way both he and fans expect. United's poor start to the 2025-26 Premier League season has only heightened the scrutiny. Man City defeat exposed weaknesses Man United A 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the derby match was particularly revealing.

Five league games, zero wins and 10th in the 12-team Scottish Premiership, Neil McCann's assessment that "a lot of things are going wrong at the minute" at Rangers is an accurate one. In the Ibrox side's latest dismal display - a first defeat at home to Hearts since 2014 - Russell Martin became the first Rangers head coach to fail to win any of his first five league games in 47 years.

I was very predictable today on court. He did many things, he changed up the game. That's also his style of how he plays. Now it's going to be on me if I want to make changes or not. That's definitely [what] we are going to work on. I'm trying to be more prepared for the next match that I will play against him.

We're used to playing against teams that defend well against us. We have our own style of play, which means our opponents often sit deep. We hope to win. That will obviously be our goal. I don't know if Toulouse will play like that tomorrow, but I remember that last year we often felt like we were playing against teams that defended a lot against us. I don't think our status as European champions has changed anything. It was already the case before. We're used to it, and we're ready for it.

It was a Rangers performance so poor it had fans leaving Ibrox before half-time - and questions being asked of Russell Martin's future at full-time. Martin has only been in charge since June and the season only began in earnest a fortnight ago, but the new manager is already under serious pressure. The 3-1 humbling by Club Brugge does not just leave Rangers' Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, it has also cast doubt on Martin's future as manager.

Harry Brook's dismissal was a moment of tactical oversight, as he attempted a sweep shot on an 83mph delivery, exposing his middle stump at a crucial time.

Manchester City's upcoming clash with Al Ain is crucial for qualifying in the FIFA Club World Cup, with a victory almost guaranteeing their advancement to the next round.

On Sunday, he added another clear indication of how unhappy he is with the exact facet of Barcelona's play that has made it irresistible for the neutral to watch their barnstorming, three-trophy season. "Only all of you can decide whether we are the most enjoyable team to watch in Europe," Flick smiled when asked about it. "For me ... it's not always fun. I've sometimes suffered a lot."