Posts Tagged ‘ ozil ’

Real Madrid 2-0 Dortmund: Modric finds his role and Real’s Plan B increases the pressure

May 1, 2013
Real Madrid 2-0 Dortmund: Modric finds his role and Real’s Plan B increases the pressure

Real Madrid created enough chances to get back in the tie, but Dortmund progress to the final. Jose Mourinho left out Sami Khedira to field a very technical midfield trio, while Angel Di Maria and Michael Essien returned, and Sergio Ramos was back in the centre of defence. Jurgen Klopp unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting XI...
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Posted in Champions League | 70 Comments »

Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona: Real press excellently but tire and allow Barca chances

January 31, 2013
Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona: Real press excellently but tire and allow Barca chances

Real pressed effectively in the first half, but Barcelona exerted their dominance after the break. With various absences, Jose Mourinho was forced to name a makeshift backline – Ricardo Carvalho played alongside Rafael Varane, Alvaro Arbeloa had to play left-back, so Michael Essien deputised on the right. New signing Diego Lopez started in goal, Jose...
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Posted in Spain | 71 Comments »

Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid: City out

November 22, 2012
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid: City out

Roberto Mancini started with a back three, then moved to a back four, but Manchester City couldn’t find a second goal. Mancini decided to start with a similar XI to the second half shape against Tottenham, when they looked good with a back three. Nine of the 11 players were the same, with the exception...
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Posted in Champions League | 68 Comments »

ZM’s team of Euro 2012

July 4, 2012
ZM’s team of Euro 2012

ZM’s team of Euro 2012… Iker Casillas, Spain This wasn’t a tournament of particularly fine individual goalkeeping displays, but the best two goalkeepers of the tournament – and of the century – met as captains in the final. Until the, there was nothing to separate Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, but after Casillas made a fine...
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Posted in Euro 2012 | 1 Comment »

Italy 2-1 Germany: Balotelli double

June 29, 2012
Italy 2-1 Germany: Balotelli double

Jogi Low tried to change his shape to compete in the centre of midfield, but Italy produced an excellent performance to qualify for the final. Cesare Prandelli kept his diamond system. Giorgio Chiellini returned at left-back, but Ignazio Abate was unfit, so Federico Balzaretti moved over to an unfamiliar right-back role. Jogi Low had decisions to...
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Posted in Euro 2012 | 275 Comments »