Page 14 – The Pulse of Football

Oct

2024

Liverpool’s early numbers point to a better defensive future under Arne Slot

“Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” – that’s what 13-times Premier League-winning manager Sir Alex Ferguson proffered.

By Matt Ladson, ThisIsAnfield.com

And while Liverpool fans may not want to admit it, the iconic Manchester United manager was certainly right about the value of a solid defence.

In the three seasons when Liverpool finished in the top two under Jürgen Klopp (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22), it’s no surprise that these were the three seasons they conceded the least goals in the German’s tenure.

The lowest finish (fifth in 2022/23) was the season with the most goals conceded. Points totals typically correlate with goals conceded. Arguably, it’s a better predictor of success than goals scored.

And while Liverpool’s early start to the new Premier League season must be caveated by the quality of opposition, something Arne Slot himself has been keen to point out on more than one occasion while media lauded his ‘best start’ record as Liverpool boss, the early signs are very promising.

After seven games, Slot’s side sit top of the table with six wins. They also have:

Most clean sheets (5)
Fewest goals conceded per match (0.3)
Third-highest average possession (60.4%)
Most big chances created (28)
Lowest xG conceded (5.2)

These are very promising signs at both ends of the team, but the xG conceded number (lower than Man City (7.8, fifth best) and Arsenal (7.4, third best)) will be particularly encouraging for Slot – and Liverpool supporters.

It’s these defensive numbers that can give the belief that early success can be maintained, even when tougher challenges in terms of opponents arrive.

“We still have a lot to prove if we’re going to come across the top sides of the table,” assessed the Dutchman, whose side play Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa in their next four league games.

Last season, Liverpool had 147 shots on target against them, below that of Man City (109) and Arsenal (just 83).

The Reds’ goalkeepers – predominantly Alisson Becker – made significantly more saves (108) than their City (76) and Arsenal (54) counterparts.

Liverpool were too open, often reliant on the brilliance of their ‘keeper to bail them out. The opening seven games of this season has seen that reliance on the goalkeeper reduce slightly, seemingly at least in part due to Slot’s less open style of play and a fewer transitions against his side.

So far, Liverpool have conceded 24 shots on target in their opening seven games (Man City lead the league in that respect, with 22; Arsenal have conceded 31 – the same as Crystal Palace).

Such numbers are in line with what Slot’s side produced in the Dutch league, with Feyenoord facing the fewest shots from open play in the Eredivisie last season.

“To control the game, to not concede constant counter-attacks, that will hopefully be our style,” declared Slot in pre-season, and that’s shown through in these seven games so far.

The simple hypothesis ahead of Slot’s arrival was that greater control, less risk, and fewer counter-attacks conceded would result in such defensive numbers, and these early days are proving that hypothesis correct.

And while tougher tests await, this is also early days for Slot and he will be confident that he will further improve these defensive and control numbers through further coaching and time spent working with his new squad.

All signs point to a solid defensive future under the Dutch coach, which in turn points to success.

(Images from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

UWCL Preview: New-look contenders, debutantes and more

16 teams have entered the group stage for the 16th edition of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, including big-name debutantes such as Celtic and Galatasaray. Many of the traditional contenders such as Barcelona, Chelsea, and Lyon are being led by new head coaches in what promises to be an intriguing tournament.

By Neel Shelat

While the men’s Champions League has kicked off in the new league stage format, the good old group stage is still being used in the UEFA Women’s Champions League – for one last time. After a typically dramatic and entertaining qualifying stage that saw the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Ajax and Häcken eliminated earlier than they would have liked, some even more tasty matchups are in store for us.

Group A

Group A is undoubtedly among the tougher ones this season as Lyon, Roma and Wolfsburg should have an epic fight for the two knockout spots. Debutantes Galatasaray, meanwhile, can only realistically aim to give the best account of themselves against such tough opponents.

Lyon are by far the most successful side in UWCL history with twice as many titles as anyone else, so they are always expected to compete till the end. They have a new head coach at the helm as Joe Montemurro took over from Sonia Bompastor this summer, so they may drop off a touch as the team gets used to his tactics.

OL certainly are not short of attacking firepower as they have an embarrassment of riches in the forward department. Eugénie Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani and Ada Hegerberg are all incredible goalscorers, and they will be more than ably supported by the likes of Melchie Dumornay, Tabita Chawinga and Lindsey Horan. The solidity of their defence could well determine their fate this season.

Roma and Wolfsburg will hope to dent the French side’s campaign early on and bounce back from last season’s disappointments in the process. The Italian champions were knocked out of the group stage, while the German giants did not even make it that far after losing to Paris FC in the qualifiers. In all likelihood, one of them will fail to reach the knockouts again.

Group B

For the first time in their history, Chelsea will begin a UWCL campaign without Emma Hayes as their head coach. They brought her successor in from Lyon, presumably hoping that Sonia Bompastor’s Champions League winning experience can help the Blues win the coveted trophy for the first time. Their squad has remained largely unchanged from the summer, so they certainly have the quality to go all the way.

Just like last season, Real Madrid find themselves in the same group as the English champions. Las Blancas will be keen to avoid a repeat of 2023/24 when they managed to register just one point in six games in a shocking campaign considering the quality in their squad, which includes numerous Spanish internationals and world champions. Alberto Toril stayed on and eventually even extended his contract despite that, but his position should come under yet more scrutiny if he fails to lead his side to the quarter-finals.

FC Twente will make their UWCL group stage debut this season, but they should not be content with just that. Real Madrid’s potentially unpredictable form means Joran Pot’s side must aim to pounce on any slip-ups from the Spanish giants. Celtic, meanwhile, will have lower expectations in their UWCL debut proper, though they too could at least impress with their performances under 30-year-old head coach Elena Sadiku.

Group C

Group C seems the clear group of death going into the tournament as all four teams have enough quality to reach the quarterfinals.

After their shock elimination in the qualifiers against Paris FC last season, Arsenal must aim to overcome any challenge and return to the knockouts. They have already succeeded in their first tough test this season as they overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Häcken 4-1 on aggregate in the qualification playoff, so that is the kind of form they will want to maintain.

As far as form goes, though, Bayern Munich cannot be outmatched. The German champions are currently on a 44-match unbeaten run in the Frauen Bundesliga having completed an invincible season last term, so they will take some stopping.

Juventus are on a comparatively humble 10-match winning streak, although that does include both legs of a tough qualification playoff against Paris Saint-Germain. New head coach Massimiliano Canzi has gotten his campaign off to a great start, but he will do very well to preserve an unbeaten record by the end of the group stage.

Norwegian side Vålerenga cannot be written off either in their UWCL group stage debut as they are on a whopping 18-match winning run. That incredible streak will enable them to wrap up the Toppserien title in the next match or two, allowing them to fully focus on continental matters.

Group D

Defending champions Barcelona are in Group D, which should be smooth sailing for them. While they did lose head coach Jonatan Giráldez to the NWSL in the summer, their style of play has hardly changed as his former assistant Pere Romeu has taken over. The Spanish champions’ attack has gotten even scarier with the addition of Polish striker Ewa Pajor, so they could put up some more cricket scores in addition to their exploits in the league.

Manchester City are the favourites to join them in the top two at the end of the group stage. Gareth Taylor’s side also added a star attacker in the summer with the signing of Vivianne Miedema, though she has started as a number eight so far. That has led to some questions being asked about the balance of the side, though that should not be a problem against the other two teams in the group.

Hammarby will face a couple of incredibly tough tests in their UWCL debut, though they are sure to produce some unforgettable moments thanks to the incredible home support at the Tele2 Arena. As ever, they have a lot of promising youngsters in the squad such as 20-year-old striker Ellen Wangerheim and former Manchester City winger Julie Blakstad, so many of their players will be closely watched on the European stage.

Austrian champions SKN St. Pölten will likely not be able to break their frustrating cycle as this will be making their third consecutive group stage appearance, but their chances of reaching the quarterfinals are quite slim.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Women’s Champions League on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

The top performances in MLS, Matchday 37

Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks the standout players from the latest round of games in MLS, including his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.1 FotMob rating: Ramiro Enrique, Orlando City

Ramiro Enrique lit up Orlando City’s game away to one of the strongest teams in MLS, FC Cincinnati, where the team from central Florida were able to claim an impressive 3-1 win.

Enrique opened the scoring, playing a long one-two with Kyle Smith, making the run into the box to receive Smith’s cross from out wide and finish ingeniously on the volley. The home crowd went silent, but maybe a few of them appreciated the finish.

Lucho Acosta had drawn Cincy level, but Enrique knocked the ball down for Iván Angulo who restored Orlando’s lead before Angulo returned the favour to set up Enrique for a tap-in to give him a brace on the night.

Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, and FC Cincinnati have been the big three in the Eastern Conference all season, but Orlando have now won ten of their last 13 games to make them arguably the best team in the East going into the playoffs.

9.4 FotMob rating: Cucho Hernández, Columbus Crew

Is there anything Cucho Hernández can’t do?

While there will be debates around who will receive the MVP award in MLS this season, if the award was simply for best player, Cucho would be up there alongside Lionel Messi.

He opened the scoring with his head in a 3-2 win against Philadelphia Union this weekend, showing another aspect of his game.

And he repeated the trick later on, heading in a second goal from a corner late in the second half to put Columbus 3-1 up. It would eventually be the winning goal.

Cucho had a total of nine shots in this game, 90 touches, and created four chances as he continues to perform the duties of a number 10 and a striker combined.

Three more standout performers

9.3 FotMob rating: Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy

Riqui Puig was instrumental in another LA Galaxy win as the team from Carson push to finish ahead of Columbus Crew as the second-best team in all of MLS in 2024.

It wasn’t the easiest of wins against Austin, but Puig assisted both goals for his side in a game which finished 2-1 in LA Galaxy’s favour.

Puig was pulling the strings from midfield throughout, as he often goes, but the first goal was all about Gabriel Pec.

The Brazilian received the ball out on the right wing before beating his marker, cutting inside into the area and finding the far corner.

For the Galaxy’s second, Puig carried the ball to the edge of the area before offloading it to Dejan Joveljić who scored the winner.

The former Barcelona man finished the game with 98 touches, and an impressive 16/17 ground duels won.

Austin’s frustration with Puig’s dominance spilt over late in the game as Guilherme Biro was sent off for a nasty lung on the Spaniard in added time.

8.7 FotMob rating: Jimmy Maurer, FC Dallas

It was a win for the Goalkeepers Union as Portland Timbers and FC Dallas played out a 0-0 draw in Oregon.

Despite their unremarkable position in the Western Conference, Portland Timbers have been one of the best attacking teams in MLS in 2024, scoring 64 goals in 33 games.

But they were kept goalless thanks to an excellent display from Austin’s Brad Stuver last week and faced a similar goalkeeping performance from Maurer in Sunday night’s 0-0 draw against FC Dallas.

Maurer made seven saves and prevented an xG on target of 1.65, including a stop with his feet from Felipe Mora, a close-range save from Santiago Moreno thanks mostly to good positioning, and an acrobatic save from Mora’s overhead kick

Portland were wasteful again but would have expected to score at least one of their chances.

James Pantemis also made numerous good stops for the Timbers at the other end, most notably in the second half, in what was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws.

Stopping Portland scoring doesn’t happen too often, but is a good way for a goalkeeper to get themselves among the top performers.

Maurer managed it this week, and his opposite number Pantemis deserves to feature alongside him.

9.2 FotMob rating: Santi Rodríguez, New York City

It took just 17 seconds for New York City to open the scoring against Nashville in a 3-1 win.

City were playing this particular home game at Red Bull Arena, home of the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey, as the baseball fields where they usually play their home games are occupied by the Yankees and Mets due to the progress of both to the MLB playoffs.

That early goal was the first of two for Santi Rodríguez in a game in which all of the New York team’s goals were scored in the first 21 minutes.

Santi scored his second in the 18th minute, getting on the end of Hannes Wolf’s cross at the far post.

He makes the list of top performers just ahead of Simon Becher of St. Louis City who also stood out this week, scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Houston Dynamo.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday Seven

That’s it then. Another international break is upon us. Before you turn your attention to those matches though, we need to look at the FotMob Team of the Week for Matchday Seven.

By Sam McGuire

It is quite a varied XI with four teams having multiple players involved. Who made the cut, though and why?

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

Everton kept their first clean sheet of the season on Saturday as they held Newcastle United to a draw at Goodison Park. Pickford was the hero for the Blues having saved an Anthony Gordon penalty, much to the delight of the home crowd. It was one of three saves the England international made on the night and was a key reason behind his 8.6 FotMob rating.

Right-Back: James Garner

The versatile 23-year-old was deployed at right-back for Everton in their 0-0 draw with the Magpies. Garner impressed for Sean Dyche’s side, completing 72% of his passes and winning four of his five tackles. No player won more tackles at Goodison Park. He also completed 100% of his dribbles, recovered the ball on 11 occasions and won 70% of his ground duels.

Centre-Back: Nathan Collins

Collins haunted his former club this weekend. The Brentford centre-back claimed an 8.2 FotMob rating having scored a goal as well as winning a penalty against Wolves. He completed 76% of his passes, made eight headed clearances and won 100% of his duels in what was a dominant showing.

Centre-Back: Virgil Van Dijk

Another Van Dijk masterclass, this time away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Liverpool skipper completed the most passes (101) and won the most duels (nine) on his way to an 8.1 FotMob rating. He also created one chance, completed 100% of his dribbles, made three interceptions and won eight of his nine aerial duels. He didn’t put a foot wrong as the Reds kept another clean sheet while guaranteeing top spot for the next fortnight.

Left-Back: Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori has settled into life in the Premier League. He’s now the starting left-back for Arsenal and it’s hard to see him giving that role up anytime soon after his showing against Southampton on Saturday.

The Italy international completed 82% of his passes and 100% of his dribbles. He won two of his three tackles and nine of his 12 duels, the most of any player involved at the Emirates.

Midfield: Mateo Kovačić

The loss of Rodri was supposed to damage Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the title. However, his replacement was the difference maker for the champions against Fulham. Kovačić scored two goals in the 3-2 win at the Etihad. The ex-Chelsea midfielder completed 90% of his passes and won 100% of his tackles on his way to an 8.7 rating on Saturday.

Midfield: Bukayo Saka

Saka put in another impressive showing for Arsenal. Saka registered two assists to take his haul for the season to seven, and he scored a goal in the 3-1 win over Southampton. His showing earned him a 9.3 FotMob rating. The England international also created seven chances and carved out three big chances.

Midfield: Mikkel Damsgaard

The 24-year-old has found his feet this season. Damsgaard claimed the Player of the Match award with a FotMob rating of 8.9 having registered two assists. He also created six chances, two of which were classed as big chances. The Denmark international found a teammate with five of his eight crosses and won four of his six ground duels.

Midfield: Kai Havertz

Havertz was at his impactful best for Arsenal in their win over Southampton. The former Chelsea man had a total of seven shots and created a single chance for the Gunners. He scored a goal, his fourth of the Premier League campaign, while attempting four dribbles, winning 100% of his tackles and winning seven of his 13 duels.

Midfield: Cody Gakpo

Another start for Gakpo, another goal involvement. The Liverpool attacker is currently behind Luis Díaz in the pecking order but whenever Arne Slot gives him an opportunity in the starting XI, his compatriot seems to deliver. Against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, the 25-year-old assisted the winner and was a general menace. He finished the game having created five chances and one big chance while completing 100% of his dribbles.

Attack: Michail Antonio

Antonio bossed Ipswich Town on Saturday. In truth, the 34-year-old was barely involved, attempting just 10 passes, but he made it count. He scored a goal from his four efforts, carved out two big chances, missed two big chances and hit the woodwork. It was a whirlwind showing and he was instrumental in the Hammers winning their first game since August.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Man United face Sunday showdown at Villa Park

Following last weekend’s debacle against Tottenham Hotspur and their comedy of errors on Porto on Thursday night, Manchester United travel to the West Midlands for another testing match, this time away to in-form Aston Villa.

By Ian King

Manager Erik Ten Hag was clinging on to his job by his fingernails following United’s 3-0 home reversal last Sunday and their scrambled draw in Portugal. Those nails are looking increasingly shredded.

There are few more challenging places that he could be visiting this weekend than Villa Park. Aston Villa have only been beaten once in six Premier League games so far this season, and that was at home against Arsenal in August. They’ve also kick-started their return to the Champions League after an absence of 42 years with two wins, 3-0 in Bern against Young Boys, and 1-0 against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, a match won by a late goal scored by this season’s wunderkind Jhón Duran, who’s also scored four goals in their six Premier League matches so far.

If there is a glimmer of light for United fans to focus upon, it’s probably Villa’s defensive record. Their two Champions League clean sheets are the only ones they’ve kept all season. They’ve conceded in each of their League matches so far, as well as in a 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup. Last weekend at Ipswich, a second half Liam Delap goal cost them two points which would have put them second in the table and level on points with leaders Liverpool. Instead, they go into this weekend in fifth.

The head-to-head form book favours United. Since Villa’s return to the Premier League in 2019, they’ve only beaten them twice, and United have won each of the last four meetings between the two clubs. But Villa will surely arrive for this game riding the crest of a wave following their Bayern win, so how on earth does the United manager turn around a team whose performances last week were as bad as anything they’ve managed previously under him?

But Aston Villa will arrive at this match fresh off the back of their best European result in more than 40 years, while Manchester United will arrive their usual bag of melodramatic nerves. The Manchester United manager may need a win to keep his job, but needing one isn’t enough on its own, and Thursday night offered little consolation to fans.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Barcelona look to put last weekend behind them as they travel to Alaves

Life under Hansi Flick continues to go from strength to strength for Barcelona after an emphatic 5-0 victory over BSC Young Boys in midweek UEFA Champions League action made it seven wins from their opening ten competitive outings to start their 2024-25 season.

By Nathan Evans

That latest result also did a lot to limit the damage from a 4-2 defeat to Osasuna the weekend prior, a loss that ended Barca’s winning start in the league on matchday seven, though they still sit top of the pile and three points ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid (Madrid can close that gap when they play Saturday evening).

The German manager will be absolutely desperate to go again in the league as a result of that setback and as they travel to face Alavés in the Basque Country, history will be on their side.

There’s plenty of reasons to suggest that anyway, not least the fact that Barca are unbeaten across their last seven league visits to the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. With six of those coming as wins, the mood will be buoyant in the away changing room and that’s before you mention the fact that the Catalan giants have additionally lost just two of their last 21 league clashes with Alavés home and away.

What’s crucial to mention is that much of Barcelona’s success so far this campaign has been due to their rich vein of goalscoring, netting 25 times across their seven league fixtures combined, the most of any side across Europe’s top five leagues to this point. That return also represents the club’s best start in terms of goalscoring in LaLiga since 2016/17, a fantastic feat given the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suárez, and Neymar who formed the basis of that team.

But whatever that team could do, this new Barca side will look to replicate, headlined by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal who seemingly continues his stunning form each matchday. Through eight appearances in LaLiga in 2024/25, he’s returned four goals and five assists and given that opponents Alavés have conceded 12 goals across their first eight games, it’d take a brave person to bet against him adding to that tally even more here.

In fairness, maybe the Basque hosts will give their opposition a much tougher go of it this time around, owing to their return of ten points to date which is representative of their best Spanish top-flight start to a campaign for a number of years. But as they’ve lost three of their last four league outings, Luis García’s outfit could find it very tough to cause any kind of upset this weekend.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Chelsea look to extend their winning run against resilient Forest

Chelsea will host Nottingham Forest on Sunday at Stamford Bridge as they look to continue their impressive start, against a side who have shown they are difficult to beat this season.

By Matt Smith

Enzo Maresca has somewhat transformed this Chelsea team so far and helped them become an attacking force in the Premier League. The Blues are currently averaging 2.5 goals per game, more than any other side in the division.

Chelsea find themselves sitting in fourth place in the table, just two points off Liverpool in first. Maresca’s men are unbeaten in their last five fixtures after losing on the opening day to Manchester City.

Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer’s productivity in the final third has been a key factor in their early success this campaign. The Chelsea duo have provided a combined 17 goals and assists between them, with Maresca’s possession-based style helping them create plenty of opportunities.

The improved form of Moises Caicedo, who initially struggled to adapt at Stamford Bridge when signing from Brighton, has helped from a defensive and ball progression perspective. Winning 7.7 duels per 90 minutes and keeping them ticking over in the middle of the park, the Ecuadorian international has been a revelation under Maresca.

*Caicedo defensive stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have also enjoyed a strong start to the campaign after battling near the bottom of the Premier League table last season. Forest currently sit in tenth position and have only lost once so far this term.

Conceding just 0.8 goals per game, with only Liverpool managing less, Forest have become a defensive force and have made themselves incredibly difficult to beat. The defensive partnership of Murillo and Nikola Milenković has been one the best in the division, making 10 clearances per 90 between them.

Only Manchester City and Liverpool have conceded fewer expected goals in the league this season. Although Nuno will be hoping to see more from his team in an attacking sense, Forest have shown vast improvement defensively and are setting up to sit deep and hit teams in transition.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Spurs take their five game winning run to Brighton

Five consecutive games for Tottenham in all competitions, five goals for Brennan Johnson and although the Welsh international recently deactivated his social media accounts in rather acrimonious circumstances, it may just prove to be the best thing he could have done for himself.

By Dan Tracey

Blocking out the digital noise, simply focusing on what matters on the field of play and with those five goals in five games also making sure of a quintet of successive wins for the North London outfit, there are reasons to be cheerful if you are a Spurs fan at the moment.

Especially after the way Spurs bulldozed past Manchester United last Sunday and although you can only beat what is put in front of you, Ange Postecoglou’s side did that, and arguably should have done it by a greater margin.

Considering Spurs’ previous form at Old Trafford, perhaps that’s a little greedy, but regardless of that, the three points that shot them up the table should be considered the most important takeaway.

This Sunday, Tottenham are on their Premier League travels for the second weekend in a row and this time it is Brighton who play the role of hosts – a Brighton side still tormented by the mauling dished out to them by Cole Palmer last weekend.

The England international scored four goals in the first 45 minutes of the Seagulls’ trip to Stamford Bridge and were it not for the woodwork or the assistant referee’s flag, Palmer’s personal goal haul could have been even greater.

That 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Blues was Brighton’s first league defeat under new boss Fabian Hürzeler and with his high-line tactics being pulled in every possible direction by Chelsea, those same high-line tactics will be placed under scrutiny back at the Amex.

The visit of Spurs will be a test of Hürzeler’s tactical ideals and how he wants his Brighton team to play. Does he stay true to his principles or does he alter them after one poor showing in the Premier League?

Tactical inflexibility is often used as a stick to beat managers with – a stick that counterpart Ange Postecoglou has felt only recently, but after sticking to his guns, it seems as if his methods are now starting to pay dividends.

Whether that continues on the South Coast remains to be seen but with both teams preferring to squeeze the space that their opponents can operate in, this could be one of the most interesting tactical clashes of the season so far.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Torino fans dream again after their best start to a season in years

We’re only two months into the season, and yet, Torino are already making history. After taking 11 points from their first five matches, the Granata ascended to the top of Serie A for the first time since February 1977.

By Zach Lowy

Back then, Torino were in hot pursuit of a second-straight league title and their eighth Scudetto, but they would quickly relinquish first place and finish one point behind Juventus. In the following 47 years, Juventus have won 19 league titles, while Torino have experienced more relegations to Serie B (four) than major trophies (one – the 1992/93 Coppa Italia).

You’d have to go back 33 years for the last time that Torino finished above seventh, but today, they sit fifth in the table, level on 11 points with Milan and Inter, and one behind Juventus. What’s more, they’re on pace to end the season with 63 goals, their highest tally since 2016/17, when they registered 71 thanks in large part to Andrea Belotti’s 26-goal haul. Since then, Torino have not scored over 54 goals, whilst last season’s tally of 36 was the fourth-lowest in Serie A.

When (the now Roma boss) Ivan Jurić arrived in 2021, Torino had conceded a whopping 137 goals over the previous two seasons, narrowly avoiding relegation both times. He quickly stabilized the ship – between 2021/22 and 2023/24, they finished 10th, 10th, and 9th, conceding 118 goals and scoring 124. However, his belligerent communication style eventually grew toxic as Torino tifosi continued to wait in vain for a first appearance in a UEFA competition main draw since 2014/15. After mustering just two wins from their last eight matches, the writing was on the wall for Jurić.

Enter: Paolo Vanoli. Having commenced his coaching career with Italy’s youth teams, Vanoli served as Antonio Conte’s assistant from 2016 to 2021, adding a Premier League title and a Scudetto to his résumé before accepting his first managerial role in December 2021. Vanoli needed just five months to guide Spartak Moscow to their first trophy since 2017, but he stepped down from his position just 11 days after winning the Russian Cup. It didn’t take long before he found a new gig, taking charge of a Venezia side that looked headed for a second-straight relegation.

Vanoli quickly arrested the slide with three wins from his first five, guiding them to eighth place and a spot in the promotion playoffs, where they lost to Cagliari in the first round. The following season, Venezia pulled off one of the most unlikely promotions in Serie B’s recent history by finishing third and brushing past Palermo and Cremonese en route to a top-flight berth. Rather than continue building his project in La Serenissima, Vanoli joined Torino, a team that found itself quickly growing apart from its supporters.

Between the constant middle-of-the-road finishes and having to watch crosstown rivals Juve dominate Italy, life as a Torino fan is no walk in the park. That chasm grew even more on May 4, the 75th anniversary of the Superga air disaster which saw Torino’s entire football team killed in a plane crash. As the fans poured into the stadium to pay tribute, Torino goalkeeper Luca Gemello recorded a video from the team bus and posted an Instagram story in which several players were heard disparaging their supporters: “They are the same ones who booed you,” “bye, bye pieces of s**t,” and more.

After kicking off the 2024/25 season with a 2-0 win vs. Cosenza in the cup, Torino were cruising to another 2-0 victory at the San Siro only to concede twice to Milan in the final minutes of their league opener. On the cusp of their next match vs. Atalanta, Torino supporters flooded the streets and demanded Urbano Cairo to sell the club. Cairo took the reins in 2005, when Torino’s bankruptcy prevented them from ascending to Serie A despite a second-place finish, and he will surpass Orfeo Pianelli as the longest-serving president in club history on 2 December.

“Cairo is criticized, above all, for his lack of ambition, his desire to always sell the best players, and for never having brought Torino – in 19 years – to the next level,” said Diego Fornero, a journalist for Toro News, the leading online newspaper dedicated to Torino. “He is also criticized for not having invested in the long term: a stadium that they don’t even own, very poor facilities, a youth training centre that has been under construction for several years and still hasn’t been completed.”

The mass protests came in the waning days of a summer window that saw Torino lose three key pillars of a defence that kept 18 clean sheets (second to Inter’s 21) – Ricardo Rodriguez (free), Raoul Bellanova (€20m), and Alessandro Buongiorno (€35m). Even Vanoli could not hide his displeasure following Bellanova’s departure to Atalanta: “I told Cairo to his face what I think. I don’t like mediocrity, and I want the club to have more courage and achieve their full potential.”

Despite falling behind early on, Vanoli’s men stormed back to a 2-1 victory against Atalanta before escaping with a 1-0 win at Venezia via Saúl Coco’s 86th-minute goal. They returned from the break with a goalless stalemate vs. Lecce before prevailing 3-2 at Hellas Verona – over the next two days, Juventus, Napoli and Inter all succumbed to draws, enabling Torino to ascend to the zenith of Italian football for the first time in a half-century. However, their reign on the top was short-lived after losing back-to-back home matches to Empoli in the cup and Lazio in the league.

“There are two big differences between Jurić and Vanoli: Jurić asked for a full-pitch pressing that worked well at the beginning but soon lost effectiveness, whilst Vanoli asks for a more collective and orderly game,” said Fornero. “The second is in communication: Jurić had a brazen style and often took it out on the fans or the board to hide from his own responsibilities. Vanoli has a different approach, decisive but calm, and he analyzes performances very lucidly.”

Vanoli has demonstrated his adaptability by eschewing his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 in favor of the 3-5-2 formation that has been a mainstay at Torino for the past decade. He’s been able to punch above the odds and steer them to the European places, but his biggest test will arrive on Saturday as Torino face an Inter side that has scored seven goals in their last two matches. Torino have lost nine of their last 10 meetings with Inter, whilst they haven’t beaten them at the San Siro since April 2016. Can they shock the defending champions and continue their stellar start to the campaign?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie A on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Oct

2024

Preview: Arsenal face Southampton and former goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates

Arsenal and Southampton are targeting very different things this season. While the Gunners are looking to make the final step in their development to become Premier League champions, the Saints are merely aiming to stay in the division.

By Graham Ruthven

Saturday’s match at the Emirates Stadium will provide a stark contrast between the two teams.

Mikel Arteta’s side come into the game on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League which saw Arsenal hold the French giants at arm’s length. Indeed, PSG accumulated an Expected Goals (xG) of just 0.4 on Wednesday as the Gunners once again flexed their defensive muscle.

Russell Martin will set up Southampton to control possession at the Emirates Stadium. Only Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton are averaging a higher share of possession in the Premier League this season than the Saints who have attempted to replicate the approach that won them promotion from the Championship in the top flight.

The Gunners might be quite content for Southampton to have possession if it means they have more open space to attack into. PSG had 65% of possession on Tuesday, but it was Arsenal who posed the greater attacking threat and the likes of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will once again be dangerous this weekend.

While Arsenal left it late to claim three points against Leicester City last weekend, the numbers suggest a winning goal was always likely to materialise. Indeed, Arsenal had 4.6 in xG, 35 shots in total and nine Big Chances against the Foxes and it’s possible Southampton could face the same sort of attacking firepower.

Martin Ødegaard is still sidelined through injury with Jurrien Timber and Ben White carrying knocks. After an injury scare against Leicester, Riccardo Calafiori shone against PSG and is expected to keep his place at left back. Further forward, Leandro Trossard has forced his way into the attacking lineup.

Southampton will be without Jack Stephens for the trip to North London after the defender was sent off against Manchester United last weekend, but will otherwise have a close-to-full squad to pick from. Even with everyone available, though, Southampton lack cutting edge having scored fewer goals (three) than any other team in the Premier League.

Aaron Ramsdale will return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving Arsenal in the summer transfer window and the goalkeeper could be in for a difficult afternoon. The Gunners have scored two or more goals in 19 of their last 24 league games and are on a run of three straight wins in all competitions. There’s a good chance that streak will continue against Southampton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.