The latest Clasico highlighted how Real Madrid are investing heavily into developing young players, while Barcelona are the ones buying established, superstar names that may or may not fit into the larger team. Read more »
IQ - Soccer Analysis
Vincius Junior Drives Real Madrid & El Clasico Into A New Decade
Building A Modern Club From Scratch, Part 2: Inter Miami
There is no better symbol for the state of MLS than David Beckham, branding power, and Liga MX's influence. The superstars will arrive one day. But in the meantime, Inter Miami have quietly built a foundation tested and honed for success in the Americas. Read more »
Building A Modern Club From Scratch, Part 1: Nashville SC
Nashville SC has a chance to embody their high-pressing philosophy in its purest form, showing the soccer world what it could look like when starting from the very foundation. Read more »
Will Diego Simeone Ever Leave Atletico Madrid?
Those demanding Diego Simeone leave Atleti must be careful. It's not just the role that must be replaced, but also the meaning. Read more »
8 Shots, 8 Goals & Open Nets: Erling Haaland Develops At Dortmund
Represented by superagent Mino Raiola, every beat of his career, from Salzburg, to Dortmund, to the eventual big money transfer, has been carefully planned in advance. All Erling Haaland has to do is score goals. Read more »
Lukaku, Lautaro, Conte Transform Inter Milan
Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez represent a throwback from a tactical perspective. And leave it to Antonio Conte to walk his own path at the expense of modernity and trends. Read more »
Building Adama Traore, The Dribbler With A Final Ball
Athletic feats aside, Adama Traore's potential is being actualized in real time. The mixtape dribbles and bursts of pace are turning into real assists and goals. Read more »
Liverpool Become The First Signature Club Of The Twenties
Liverpool aren't attempting to submit opponents through passing, but through an exertion of physicality and energy. The combination of high-tempo, pressing, attacking fullbacks, and a fluid front-three makes them a "distillation of the modern game." Read more »
Paul Pogba Isn't Young Anymore But He's Still An Enigma
Paul Pogba is 26 years old and should be in his prime. Yet what he is, at present, and what he still could be, in the future, remains hazy. Read more »
2010s Soccer: A Decade Of Pressing, Branding & The Champions League
A concoction of pressing, modern branding principles, and an emphasis on winning the Champions League created the modern game over the decade. Read more »
El Clásico Abstract: Barcelona 0, Real Madrid 0
The match was always going to end 0-0 considering both a cautious nature and lack of penalty box quality from both sides. There were no real clearcut chances or intricate buildup play. Read more »
Marco Rose Develops His Own Style Of Emotional Football In Bundesliga
There is an aspirational element to Gladbach this season, in how they've translated written theory into play. Their on-field success resonates in the digital world, that there are real world test cases. Read more »
Balancing Stardom, Parity And La Liga's Global Vision
Going hand in hand with a lack of high-end superstar power, an equally symbolic number as Real Madrid's attendance is 73: the projected point total of this year's La Liga champion. Read more »
The Ballon D'Or & Aging Strikers: Robert Lewandowski Accepts His Place
Despite the numbers, it still feels as if Robert Lewandowski is overlooked on the European football consciousness. That oversight is exemplified by his fraught relationship with the Ballon d’Or. Read more »
Stefano Pioli Brings The Age Of Realism To AC Milan
AC Milan's struggles aren't necessarily from a lack of talent, but something lacking in the underlying emotion and personality. What's needed from a manager is more chemist than tactician. Read more »
The Essential 50 Of The 19-20 Premier League Season
The following is a list of the 50 essential players and managers who will define the 2019-20 Premier League season. Read more »
Dissecting How Diego Simeone's Atleti Project Stalled
The reality is Diego Simeone's past few years at Atleti have revealed a certain cowardice within, an unwillingness to fail on unfamiliar terms and a comfort with losing so long as he's gone down using trusty methods. Read more »
Pragmatism In A Changing Serie A: The Legacy Of Max Allegri
The most interesting aspect of Max Allegri's success is that it came with no defined, built-in style or catchphrase, no tiki-taka or gegenpressing branding or philosophy easily consumed by audiences. Read more »
Five Matchups That Will Define The 2019 Champions League Final
With each team's unique, singular journey to the Champions League Final, both Liverpool and Tottenham can claim destiny on their side. Read more »
Arjen Robben & Franck Ribery Defined The Modern Winger At Bayern
Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were the most impactful winger duo in European football for the past decade. But beyond the numbers was how they shaped the way Bayern played from tradition. Read more »