Who has the best attack in Europe? Podcast Episode · The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast · April 9 · 34m

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This week we're talking all things attack.

Who does it best, and do attackers all need to defend?

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/3fa3a2

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Man United & England: How to build a complete midfield This week, we’re discussing midfield combinations.From your creators, to destroyers; how do player roles complement each other?Let’s build a complete midfield!Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michae...

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This week, we're talking all things midfield combinations.

How do you build a complete midfield?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social have the answers!

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: The impact of football’s relentless schedule This week, we’re discussing football’s relentless schedule.What impact is it having on players and matches?And… can we measure whether football is actually more intense than it used to be?Hos...

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What impact is football’s relentless schedule having on players and matches?

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/3c24c0

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Have Premier League clubs really struggled in Europe? This week, we’re discussing an enthralling round of Champions League Round of 16 ties.From Premier League struggles and Pep Guardiola’s European record, to how good Bayern Munich and Real Madri...

POD 🚨

Did Premier League clubs really struggle in the Champions League Round of 16? Or not?

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/3b2736

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Are football's new laws overcomplicating the game? This week, we’re discussing football’s new rules!We’ll talk the increased remit of VAR, throw-in countdowns and our own suggestions for new football laws.Host: Duncan AlexanderGuests: Michael...

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@oilysailor.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social discuss IFAB's new football law proposals.

Which ones work, which ones don't?

And what new football laws would actually be a benefit to the game?

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If you could introduce one new rule in football what would it be?

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: The evolution of wingers, club DNA & tactical fouls It’s mailbag time!On this episode we’ll discuss:Wingers, penalty rebounds, tactical fouls and much more!Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Ho...

NEW MAILBAG IS LIVE 🚨

The team answer your questions on...

Wingers, rebounded penalties, tactical fouls and much more.

Get in touch with us tacticspod@theathletic.com!

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Arsenal's attacking woes & a proper relegation battle It’s February — and we have real jeopardy in both the Premier League title race and relegation battle.So this week, we’ll discuss the tactics we have seen, and will see from the teams at the ...

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Title race, relegation battle and more!

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/392a2e

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Premier League trends: How to break down low blocks This week — we’re talking tactical trends… from low blocks, to headed clearances and the return of long-range screamers.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam TharmeProduce...

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The team talk tactical trends.

High, low and mid-blocks.

And a serious discussion on the health risks around heading.

With @markcarey93.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social.

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A cold, windy night in Stoke: How weather impacts football This week — we’re diving into the world of weather. How do the elements impact what happens on the pitch? From the rainy, cold and windy nights at Stoke.To the scorching heat of the 1994 Worl...

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All about the weather! ☀️

How does it impact football, tactics, play styles? 🌧️

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @conor-oneill.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Does the Premier League have an open-play goal problem? Arsenal are top of the Premier League, but only seventh for open play xG.So is that a Mikel Arteta issue - or a league-wide one?Host: Duncan AlexanderWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Ahmed WalidPr...

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Arsenal, open play goals and Premier League vs Champions League styles.

@oilysailor.bsky.social @ahmed-walid.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: No sweet home: Is 'home advantage' fading? This week, we’re diving into the world of home and away - discussing the tactical differences between performing in front of your own fans, and taking to the road.What are the key elements to pla...

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Does home advantage still exist in football?

@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social discuss!

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A stat for every Premier League club We’re more than halfway through the Premier League season. So this week, we’ll use our good old friend data to assess the main talking point for all 20 clubs.Host: Duncan AlexanderWith: Michae...

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A statistic (or two) for EVERY Premier League club!

Enjoy!

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/379613

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Man United in the short term This week, there’s only one topic in town: Manchester United Football Club.Ruben Amorim’s gone, so how do they go about replacing him — both in the short, and long term?And how does any club ...

FIRST POD OF 2026! 🚨

New year, still talking about Manchester United.

More specifically, caretaker managers, interim managers, and long-term planning.

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/374ac7

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League? This week — we’re talking the tactics of squad rotation…Who are the most and least stable Premier League clubs in how they use their players?And does stability equal success?Host: Michael Bai...

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Today we ask - who has the most settled squad in the Premier League?

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social!

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Has Salah actually declined? This week — we’re talking about the tactics surrounding player power.Can stars be given total freedom, or is the collective more important?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and ...

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Salah, Real Madrid and star players vs the collective.

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

Enjoy!

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who are the Premier League's most versatile players? On this episode, we run through some of the high profile players to have switched positions in the Premier League recently.Also - what makes players flexible? And who excels in multiple roles?Host:...

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This week, we're talking positional versatility.

Which players are performing well in different roles?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social & Cerys Jones discuss.

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Mailbag: Angeball 2.0, the new No.10s & tactical revolutions 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...

Hey - we've covered this on previous pods!

11.40: pod.fo/e/2fe34d

& pod.fo/e/35f0e4

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Can Spurs and Frank make it work? This week — we’re discussing how managers make the jump from a relatively small club, to one of the big guns, and with a particular focus on Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.Host: Michael Bail...

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How do managers go from small clubs to big clubs?

Frank, Pochettino, Hodgson, Rodgers, Moyes, Potter, Maresca etc etc.

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

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The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Have Arsenal built the Premier League’s best ever defence? This week - we’re asking if defence really wins you titles.Should you build your team around a solid defence — or a free-flowing attack?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander a...

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Does defence really win titles?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss!

pod.fo/e/3569af

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why are defensive midfielders scoring so many goals? This week, we’re tackling the defensive midfield position.How has it evolved, who does it best and why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox and Mark Care...

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How has the defensive midfield position evolved?

Who does it best?

Why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social discuss.

pod.fo/e/3522c8

Great piece from @zonal-marking.bsky.social

Why the five-substitute era has not been good for football Lawmakers have completely overlooked the impact of introducing extra substitutes: it increases the tempo of the game and increases fatigue

The use of five substitutes has had no positive impact, and probably some bad impact www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Liverpool The defending Premier League champions have lost four league matches in a row.So, where is it going wrong for Arne Slot’s Liverpool — and crucially, how do they fix their issues?Host: Michael B...

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Four Premier League losses in a row — seven points shy of league leaders Arsenal after nine matches.

How do Liverpool fix their tactical issues?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/34776f

Is it going to get better, or does something drastic need to change?

Slot is trying to adapt to a post-Salah world with Salah still in the team which in the short term is causing problems.
The many new faces also bring difficulties but some of them couldn't be avoided (Diaz/TAA wanting to leave, Jota). One mistake though was not buying Robertson replacement in 2024.

Pretty basic question.What's gone wrong?
They can't break deep defences, get countered a lot and their shape looks bad when defending them, they concede from long throws and set pieces almost every match.
Slots' use of his squad is confusing. I thought the summer signings were part of a big plan?

On tomorrow's pod, we're talking Liverpool.

Send in your questions/thoughts for @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social

Keep us posted!

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A guide to the 4-4-2 formation This season there have been zero instances of teams starting with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League. In the late 2000s the majority of teams lined up in a 4-4-2 - but since then, that figure has been ...

NEW POD!

A guide to the 4-4-2 formation.

Strengths 💪
Weaknesses 😐

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/342dc6