The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Jacob Whitehead, a football writer for The Athletic, teams up with Juraj Vrdoljak, a Croatian football journalist, to dive deep into Croatia’s remarkable rise in international football. They discuss how a small nation produced a golden generation, featuring stars like Luka Modric. Their conversation highlights the critical role of Dinamo Zagreb in nurturing talent and the impact of competition on player development. They also reflect on the emotional journey of Croatia's national team and the challenges of sustaining success as key players age.

Jacob Whitehead, a Football writer for The Athletic, and Liam Tharme from the tactics and data department dive into Belgium's remarkable rise to the top of FIFA's world rankings. They discuss the evolution of a unique footballing DNA, the seamless integration of talent in youth development, and the challenges faced by the golden generation led by stars like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. The conversation highlights Belgium’s strategic innovations, their emotional journey, and the promising future of emerging talents in football.

Join Jacob Whitehead, a writer for The Athletic, as he shares insights from interviews with key figures in Ajax's reformation. Discover how Johan Cruyff's philosophy of creativity and total football sparked Ajax's revival post-2010. Whitehead discusses the club's innovative youth development strategies and their commitment to sustainability. The podcast also explores the tension between idealism and pragmatism in strategy, highlighting how Cruyff's legacy continues to influence Ajax's tactics and shape the identities of their homegrown talents.

Join football tactics aficionado Michael Cox, alongside data gurus Mark Carey and Liam Tharme, as they dive into the fascinating world of strikerless formations. They discuss how these systems are reshaping modern gameplay and team dynamics. The trio analyzes the role of wing-backs versus full-backs in varying formations and highlights the tactical success stories of teams like Arsenal and Liverpool. Get insights into strategic player movements and the evolving nature of striking roles in this engaging conversation.

In this discussion, football tactics expert Michael Cox joins Mark Carey and Liam Tharme from The Athletic's data department to dissect the 2024-25 Premier League season. They analyze statistical trends, including the recent decline in goal-scoring and the rise of counter-attacking play, highlighting teams that surprised or disappointed. The trio also explores the evolution of goalkeeping tactics, the impact of innovative managers on mid-table clubs, and the dynamics that shape today's competitive landscape in football.

Liam Tharme and Mark Carey, tactics and data experts from The Athletic, dissect the Champions League final between Inter Milan and PSG. They analyze each team's contrasting styles and how Inter's formation can challenge PSG's strategy. The discussion covers PSG's tactical evolution under Luis Enrique and their newfound pressing approach, alongside the critical roles of goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jan Sommer. Expect an insightful look into the financial models and philosophies shaping modern football as these titans clash in Munich.

In this episode, it’s alternative team of the season time!To remind you of the rules, instead of focusing on the top teams - we all pick an eleven with one player from each of the bottom 10 teams in the Premier League table (as it stands on Thursday 22nd May) and then one “wildcard” player - basically one other player from the bottom half clubs.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme.Producers: Mike Stavrou and Steve Hankey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Cox, a respected football tactics writer, joins fellow analysts Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to dissect the contrasting styles of Italian managerial giants Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte. They delve into Ancelotti’s adaptable coaching versus Conte's dominance in domestic leagues. The discussion also touches on Ancelotti's upcoming challenge with Brazil, the tactical innovations shaping Italian football, and the dynamic between individual player capabilities and team strategies in modern football. Insights into tactical evolution and psychological strategies are featured throughout.

Dive into the thrilling highlights of the Champions League semi-finals! Experience the drama of Inter's 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona, with tactical insights and standout players stealing the spotlight. Discover how Arsenal’s long throws aim to exploit PSG's defensive frailties, while they simultaneously grapple with their own set piece dilemmas. Plus, a glimpse into the strategies and dynamics shaping the upcoming final between Inter and PSG, where contrasting styles promise an electrifying showdown.

On this week’s show, we analyse the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals.We’ll discover how PSG’s press nullified Arsenal, and discuss probably the game of the season so far — Barca’s thriller against Inter.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Mark Carey and Thom HarrisProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.