When VAR was introduced to the domestic and international game, it was hoped that the quality of decisions would be optimised while the burden placed on referees would be lessened. However, it has managed to cause significant issues and debate in its relatively short...

In the continuation of our series exploring football formations, today we take a look at the rather unusual 3-3-4 system. Although this tactic is scarcely used in modern football (other than when chasing a late goal at the end of a game), it has had some recent...

It was the emergence of Jose Mourinho at Porto that first helped to revolutionise the notion of counter-attacking football in the modern age. More specifically, he transformed this into an aggressive tactic in which his teams created overloads and sought to control...

If there’s one formation and tactical setup that’s synonymous with the history of football, it’s the classic 4-4-2. This shape was prevalent in the UK throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, before tactical innovation took hold and the popular 4-2-3-1 variation (and...

There are few more contentious elements of football than VAR at present, with the use of video assistance and technology to review decisions polarising opinions within the sport. Certainly, the deployment of VAR through history would have ruled some truly iconic...

The informal origins of association football can be traced back more than 3,000 years, to the old Mesoamerican cultures who used to play a team game using a rock as a ball. However, the professional game that we know and love today emerged during the mid-1860s, during...

When Was the First International Football Match? The first international match took place on Saturday, 30th November 1872, kicking off shortly after 2pm. It was contested by arch enemies England and Scotland, who played out a tense 0-0 draw in a match that was played...

We recently penned the first in a series of posts focused on the various tactical shapes and systems used in modern football, and today we introduce another in the form of the 4-2-3-1. A clear variation of the 4-4-2 formation that dominated English football until the...

Today’s blog is the second in a series in which we will explain various coaching styles and training sessions with inspiration from some of the Premier League’s top managers. This blog will explore the training methods of Thomas Tuchel and help understand how to...

Today’s blog is part of a series in which we will explain various coaching styles and training sessions with inspiration from some of the Premier League’s top managers. This first of the series will explore the formation of Thomas Tuchel and help understand how to...

Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, there remains a suggestion in the sport of football that coaches and managers should have played the game at the highest level if they’re to lead the very best clubs. However, there’s absolutely nothing to stop football...

There’s no doubt that being a referee can be a largely thankless task, with the emotive nature of the game meaning that officials often have to maintain control in the face of immense pressure and sustained abuse. Some referees fail in this respect, of course. Most...

Football in the UK has undergone a marked transformation through the Premier League era, and not only in terms of the number of foreign players and the influx of huge cash sums. The game is also different tactically too, with pretty much all of the sides that lined up...

There is a myriad of football formations in the modern age, some of which are universally popular such as the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1. However, there are others that are decidedly more trend-driven and fleetingly popular, including the currently in-vogue 3-4-2-1 system....

The term “golden generation” has been applied to various international sides down the year, with recent iterations including the English and Portuguese teams of the noughties. While neither of these sides was able to fully realise their potential or yield the fruits...

When France won the World Cup in 2018 following a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, many believed that it could kickstart another period of dominance for Les Blues on the international stage. Ultimately, Didier Deschamps’ men couldn’t emulate the...

When Belgium slumped to a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, it appeared as though the country’s so-called “Golden Generation” had reached something of a watershed moment. While it becomes increasingly unlikely that the world’s...

Of all the footballing organisations in Europe, the KNVB in Holland is arguably the one that’s most steeped in history and heritage. Founded in 1889, it continues to organise all aspects of football in the Netherlands, from youth structures and fifth-class amateur...

With the delayed European Championships fast approaching, all eyes will be on the England national team as they look to end a 55-year major tournament drought. There’s no doubt that a heavily funded grassroots structure has been at the heart of England’s recent...

If you watch any Premier League game in the modern age (especially those involving sides such as Manchester City and Chelsea), you’ll see an increased focus on team shape both in and out of possession. This not only enables players to remain compact and press the ball...

Whenever you launch a grassroots or youth football team, there’s an aspiration that this side will ultimately fulfill its optimal potential. This isn’t always the case, however, with the Portuguese national side offering a relevant case in point. Despite the success...

Switzerland enjoyed a stellar run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 (including a superb penalty shootout win over current world champions France), with this capturing the attention of fans from across the globe. However, this success won’t have come as a surprise to...

It’s an immense shame that England’s heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy resulted in such angry post-match scenes, especially as the Three Lions historic run had helped to unify much of the country during the previous three months. However, there can be no...

Grass Roots Set-up around the World - Italy While the grassroots football system in Italy hasn’t always been widely celebrated, it has begun to earn some international accolades in recent years. Most recently, the ‘Divisione Calcio Paralimpico e Sperimentale’ has won...

Grass Roots Set-up around the World We’ve already written extensively about grassroots football in Germany and Italy, with both of these nations having revamped their youth setups over the course of the last 20 years or more. Another country that has undergone a...

When Wales took on the mighty Brazil in a friendly match in May 2000, supporters were concerned about how the Welsh fullbacks would cope with the brilliant wing play of players like Cafu, Ze Roberto and the precocious Denilson. Fortunately, Mark Hughes had an answer,...

It’s fair to say that Germany entered Euro 2000 in high spirits, with the team focused on defending the title that they won in England at the end of the 1996 tournament. However, the German’s hotly-anticipated defence was left in tatters after just three group stage...

Grassroots football has come under incredible focus lately, particularly with the proposed formation of the European Super League and its potential impact on the existing pyramid structure in England. However, we’ve seen billions pumped into grassroots systems...

With the delayed European Championships fast approaching, all eyes will be on the England national team as they look to end a 55-year major tournament drought. There’s no doubt that a heavily funded grassroots structure has been at the heart of England’s recent...

The sound of the thud of the ball, the calling and shouting, the rustling of the net. We’ve all heard these noises when we’re playing down our local 5-a-side pitches. But not all of us would have heard the fascinating story of LGTBQ+ Sunday league football team,...