The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

This is the last show of the year, so the perfect time to look back on the tactical highlights of 2024. We’re talking trends, teams, players, standout moments and of course, our tweak of the YEAR! Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re looking at the Premier League teams who are punching above their weight… we’re talking Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham and maybe a few others. How do these clubs build their status in the English top flight and climb the table in the years after promotion? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on...

This week we’re delving into the world of game state, and how tactics change whether a team is winning, losing or drawing. And… can we come up with what the most dangerous scoreline really is? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Liverpool against Manchester City at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend — and given what these two clubs have been up to recently, there’s plenty to dissect, on the present and what we may get down the road.  Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of Manchester City’s attempts to cope without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, and Arsenal’s struggles without their captain Martin Odegaard, we’re asking — how do teams cope without their star players? Host: Michael Bailey With: Liam Tharme, Thom Harris, Art de Roché Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about back three formations. Ruben Amorim loves them, and he’ll be the boss at Manchester United from next week.  And Simone Inzaghi’s Internazionale, also featuring a back three, beat Arsenal this week, had already drawn with Man City; and are yet to concede a Champions League goal. So are back threes back? Or is this just a brief moment back in the sun? And can Mancheste...

This week, we’re focusing on Barcelona after an incredible pair of results for Hansi Flick’s side. Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico came just three days after their 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Not bad! So, how has Hansi Flick done it? Let’s find out! Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on...

This week, we’re focusing on Liverpool and their almost perfect start under new manager Arne Slot. It’s been a record-busting beginning for Liverpool… so how has the transition from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp gone so smoothly at Anfield, and what are the challenges that now lie ahead for Slot? Host: Michael Bailey With: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on A...

This week, we’re focusing on the promoted sides in the Premier League.  Where are their structural shortcomings, what is the plan that secures survival and is it now harder than ever to achieve it? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re focusing on Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.  The evolution of these two sides under the coaching of Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany respectively, got us thinking… do some managers require a team of elite players in order to succeed? Host: Michael Bailey With: Seb Stafford-Bloor, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acas...

This week, we bring you our first, long-awaited listener mailbag! You’ve been sending in some excellent questions and ideas since we came back for the new season — and now is the time for us to discuss them!  So, the topics on today’s agenda include: Angeball 2.0, the new No.10 role and tactical revolutions at smaller clubs. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme  Produ...

This week, we’re focusing on the world of football data and whether it’s had the profound impact on the game — on and off the pitch — that everyone thinks it has. So, has data actually changed football? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme  Producer: Mike Stavrou https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5756088/2024/09/11/how-has-data-changed-football/ https://www.nytimes.com...

This week, Michael Cox’s excellent article on the evolution of Mohamed Salah into a creative force got our minds whirring. How do elite players alter their style and approach, as they reach the latter stages of their careers? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Ahmed Walid Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea’s somewhat chaotic attempt at squad building got us thinking about how best to actually go about assembling a Premier League squad. Matt Davies-Adams and the panel try to find some answers. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme  Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One week into 2024/25, we’re attempting to circumnavigate the knee-jerk and catch the tactical teething problems. We look at how the top teams fared and what transfers are still needed, plus various Premier League strikers. Host: Michael Bailey  With: Michael Cox, Thom Harris and Liam Tharme  Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s part two of our own Premier League preview ahead of the 2024-25 season — where we look at the tactical conundrums facing each team in the English top flight. Last week, our groupings were… title contenders, dark horses and surprise packages. If you don’t know who we shoehorned into each of those, then go have a listen back. This week we have… European hopefuls, relegation candidates and the b...

On this first episode of the new season, we are previewing the upcoming 2024/2025 Premier League campaign - with a particular focus on the tactical conundrums facing each team. We’ll split this into two parts - covering 10 teams this week and the rest on our next show. This week, we look at the title contenders, dark horses and surprise packages. Host: Michael Bailey With: Mark Carey, Duncan Alexa...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to talk about why this Premier League season has had an unbelievable number of goals. The number of goals being scored in the top division of English men’s football is at its highest rate since the 1960s. But what has caused this? Are goalkeepers not as good as they used to be at keeping the ball out of the ne...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox and Mark Carey join Ali Maxwell to put together an alternative team of the season from the 23/24 Premier League. Mark and Michael are allowed to choose one player from each of the teams in the bottom half of the Premier League to make up their side. The mathematically minded amongst you will clock that only gives them eleven players, so from one team the...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss the final stages of this season’s Champions League in men’s football. Real Madrid came from behind in the dying minutes to knock out Bayern Munich and further cement their pedigree in this competition. Borussia Dortmund ensured their surprising run this season continued by securing a second consecut...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss how Liverpool can ensure a smooth succession from Arne Slot to Jurgen Klopp. We look at how well suited his style of play and personality are for taking on one of the biggest jobs in club football. And how well set up Liverpool are as a club to move on from such a legendary manager? Then, we look to...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss which leagues are the most competitive in Europe. We cast our eyes across Europe’s top five leagues, and then beyond them into the top twenty leagues across the continent, including some second tiers… What matters most when measuring what makes a competitive league?  Is it the finance or the depth o...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on the Champions League quarter finals; which concluded this week. First up, Bayern Munich let their experience show by knocking out Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate at the Allianz Arena. We then head to Manchester as reigning European champions Manchester City failed to retain their crown as they were knoc...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on the halfway point of the Champions League quarter finals; and what to look out for when those ties conclude next week. First up, it’s Arsenal and Bayern Munich sharing the first leg spoils by drawing 2-2 in North London. We then head to Madrid and rule the rule over the incredible 3-3 draw betwee...

In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to take a look at where the Premier League title contenders may drop precious points. Firstly, we run the rule over the final clash between the pretenders to the crown this season.  Was Man City vs Arsenal just really boring or were there some “tactically intriguing” aspects? The title race remains as tight as...