Talking Tactics

Talking Tactics discuss the World Cup hangover, and what has happened while we were away. Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus. Liverpool bought Alisson (bad for Karius). Chelsea hired Sarri. Willian to Barcelona rumours seem odd, or do they? Marital vs. Mourinho. Ozil retires from Germany because of criticism he felt stemmed from his religion / ancestry; in addition to that, we talk ab...

Talking Tactics discuss the 2018 World Cup final. Croatia played a better final, but France won the trophy. Why the World Cup is hardest competition. Mbappe must create his own legacy. Pogba’s haters are stressed! Kante’s come up. Why do “European” Africans perform better than continental Africans? Should you be paid for international football? French prospects in 2022? Was this World Cup better t...

Talking Tactics discuss 2018 World Cup’s semi-finals. Will France keep Deschamps if they lose another final? Belgium’s Brazil victory wasn’t the best yardstick for France. The half-genius, half-brickness of Olivier Giroud. More Mbappe marveling. Pogba and Kante were made for each other. England lose to Croatia, it wasn’t a bad tournament for the Three Lions. Southgate deserves more time to improve...

Talking Tactics discuss the World Cup Round of 16. Were Argentina and Portugal’s losses to France and Uruguay the end of Messi/Cristiano's era? Is Mbappe 2018 R9? Why does CR7 waste our time? Can Uruguay beat France minus Cavani? Should Spain rethink their ultra-possession style? Croatia struggled with Denmark. Brazil KO Mexico, Neymar turns villain. Was Belgium 3-2 Japan game of the tournament? S...

Talking Tactics discuss the World Cup group stages being over. Germany crash out of the World Cup, losing to South Korea 2-0, time to build again? Argentina beat Nigeria late, saving Messi's World Cup. Are Brazil in position to win the competition? Poland were disappointing, Japan were nervous and Senegal got eliminated on yellow card accumulation. Should bookings be tiebreakers? No African teams...

Talking Tactics discuss the second week of the World Cup, starting with Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR). Mainly: Will VAR ruin football as we know it, and if so, is attempting perfection worth that price? After VAR we go through the groups and talk about Egypt crashing out, Quaresma’s trivela, is Mbappe better than 19-year-old Messi? Are Brazil ready for Germany? Son's military service, Kroos’ cl...

Talking Tactics discuss the opening games of the World Cup. Our early thoughts on the tournament. Spain 3-3 Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo’s immense performance. Can Brazil and France improve enough to win the tournament? Mexico’s 1-0 upset victory over Germany, and can the defending champions rebound? Is beating Panama enough to believe in Belgium? Messi failed to score his penalty, Argentina droppe...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group H. Japan (01:20) - Dan Orlowitz https://twitter.com/aishiterutokyo Colombia (13:55) - Simon Edwards https://twitter.com/SimonEdwardsSAF Poland (26:50) - Christopher Lash https://twitter.com/rightbankwarsaw https://rightbankwarsaw.com Senegal (39:53) - Amadi Thiam https://twitter.com/amadoit__ Our Predictions (57:58) Rate us five stars on A...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group G. England (00:40) - Daniel Storey https://twitter.com/danielstorey85 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gazza-in-Italy/dp/B07D79KJGF https://www.football365.com Panama (19:25) - David Sakata https://twitter.com/DavidSakata https://twitter.com/Diario_Pro Tunisia (32:00) - Maher Mezahi https://twitter.com/mezahimaher Belgium (44:15) - Sven Claes http...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group F. Mexico (00:57) - Cesar Hernandez https://twitter.com/cesarhfutbol https://twitter.com/mexsoccershow Sweden (14:24) - Nima Tavallaey https://twitter.com/NimaTavRood https://twitter.com/SempreInterCom South Korea (27:35) - Steve Price https://twitter.com/kleaguefootball Germany (37:55) - Lars Pollmann https://twitter.com/LarsPollmann http...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group E. Costa Rica (00:40) - Yeah, about that… https://twitter.com/TaIkingTactics Switzerland (03:00) - Craig https://twitter.com/FootballSwiss Serbia (11:40) - Nebojša Marković https://twitter.com/MarkovicNeb https://soundcloud.com/user-208236251 Brazil (25:40) - Jack Lang https://twitter.com/jacklang Our Predictions (49:20) Rate us five stars...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group D. Croatia (01:10) - Richard Wilson https://twitter.com/timomouse Iceland (12:35) - Jim Hart https://twitter.com/Catenacciari https://www.thesefootballtimes.co Argentina (24:20) - Roy Nemer https://twitter.com/RoyNemer https://mundoalbiceleste.com Nigeria (38:40) - Deji Faremi https://twitter.com/deejayfaremi Our Predictions (52:50) Rate u...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group C. Australia (00:35) - Scott McIntyre https://twitter.com/mcintinhos https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame Peru (13:30) - Peter Galindo https://twitter.com/GalindoPW https://twitter.com/PeruWaltz Denmark (26:48) - Claus Røndbjerg https://twitter.com/DanishFooty https://twitter.com/ClaudeInFrench France (36:40) - Florent Bodin https://twitter.co...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group B. Portugal (00:50) - Cristiano Oliveira https://twitter.com/10CO10 https://twitter.com/BenficaPodcast Iran (13:40) - Pezhman Pars https://www.instagram.com/pezhmanpars https://twitter.com/GolBezan Morocco (25:28) - Jalal Bounouar https://twitter.com/BounouarJalal https://almarssadpro.com Spain (35:57) - Rik Sharma https://twitter.com/riks...

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, Talking Tactics preview Group A. Russia (00:40) - Toke Theilade https://twitter.com/TokeTheilade https://twitter.com/RusFootballNews http://russianfootballnews.com Saudi Arabia (13:00) - Ahmed https://twitter.com/nyianderr Egypt (22:00) - Ahmad Yousef https://twitter.com/EgyptianPlayers https://www.kingfut.com Uruguay (36:45) - Jessie Losch https://twitter.com/JessieLo...

Talking Tactics discuss the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, did Ramos intentionally injure Salah? The disaster that was Loris Karius. Gareth Bale’s stunning goal, and was it better than Zidane’s goal vs. Leverkusen. Fabinho signs for Liverpool. Was this a successful season for Liverpool despite losing the final. Real Madrid win three UCL titles in a row, can they win four? Fulham were promoted v...

Talking Tactics are joined by Paul of the Rant Cast, and discuss Unai Emery to Arsenal (03:50). Santi Cazorla is leaving the Emirates (10:25). World Cup squads are being announced. Nainggolan, Martial, Icardi, and Morata have been dropped (13:13). Are England good (28:20)? Jose Out (35:42)! Conte v Willian / Martial swap (40:21). Europa League final review (43:39), Champions League final preview (...

Talking Tactics discuss our earliest World Cup/football memories (00:50). This season is finally ending (4:00)! Revisiting our Premier League predications / grading the top six (5:00). Arsenal (6:47). Chelsea (11:21). Liverpool (13:52). Tottenham (17:09). Man United (20:38). Man City (23:26). Invincibles or Centurions (26:40)? Barcelona stumble against Levante (30:50). Europa League final: Marseil...

Talking Tactics discuss Arsene Wenger’s farewell (04:25). The health of Sir Alex Ferguson (11:10). Should Martial leave Manchester United (16:20)? Unknown players who will shine at the World Cup (20:55). Darren Moore, West Brom, and the Rooney Rule (22:42). Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid, and an unbeaten La Liga campaign (36:04). Why Napoli didn’t “deserve” to win Serie A (41:58). Allegri/Enrique to Ar...

Talking Tactics discuss Napoli losing (2:27), Chelsea and Bakayoko (4:50), is Garth Crooks in the sunken place (10:17)? Should David Moyes stay at West Ham(12:10)? Are Wolves Premier League ready (13:36)? Darren Moore, undefeated (15:44), how will Arsenal play Atletico (17:11)? Ticket prices and selling Wembley (24:46), swap Guardiola and Mark Hughes (28:45), J. Cole’s “K.O.D.” (30:48), F*ck Kayne...

Talking Tactics discuss Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal, his legacy, future, and potential successor. Mohamed Salah wins PFA Player of the Year over Kevin De Bruyne (it led to Mourinho slander). Liverpool/Roma and Bayern/Madrid play Champions League semis. Chelsea and Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup final: Tottenham flop, and is winning it a “success?” Napoli beat Juventus, Italy has a titl...

Talking Tactics discuss the week that was, Roma knocking out Barcelona in the Champions League, Buffon’s meltdown/red card vs. Real Madrid, Liverpool eliminating Man City, the CL semi-final draw, Man United losing to West Brom and handing Man City the EPL title, can Man City start a dynasty, what is the greatest EPL team ever, one football rule we would want changed, various other topics, answer y...

Talking Tactics discuss the Manchester Derby, Have Hope demands an apology to Mourinho. A renewed Pogba. Did Herrera spit on purpose? Why is Kane so ruthless? Should Arsenal get some credit? Chelsea lose to West Ham. PL relegation. Warnock wants Nuno to “have class.” Should FIFA reinstate the Golden Goal? UCL QF second legs: Can Man City turn around their 3-0 deficit to Liverpool? Balotelli takes...

Talking Tactics discuss the UCL quarter-final, Bayern Munich 6-0 Borussia Dortmund reminded us of Germany 7-1 Brazil, so we reflected. What is wrong with club football, and can it be fixed? The ongoing situation between Antonio Conte and Chelsea. Can Lacazette and Aubameyang play together? Who will be relegated in the EPL? Is this World Cup Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance? Those and vari...

In French, “coup de tête” has three meanings. It can mean “headed goal,” “head butt,” or “impulsive action.” When telling the story of Zinedine Zidane and the World Cup, it’s impossible to avoid headed goals, head butts, and impulsive actions. Zidane was the best midfielder of his generation, and is arguably the greatest midfielder to ever wear football boots, but equalling the greatness of the Fr...