The tactics behind Boavista's record-equalling start, 3 young talents from Belgium's 2nd tier, what Fabio Grosso would bring to Lyon and more
Good morning tactics fans and welcome to the #TacticalThursday newsletter - full of analysis, scouting and tactics. Fill up on your football knowledge - follow the Total Football Analysis page and be part of the squad that want more than just a match report.
In Portugal, Boavista have equalled their best-ever start in the top flight - Rui Martins dives deep into the tactical reasons for this.
Belgium's second tier is often an excellent breeding ground for young talent - Brandon Liss suggests three players you (and us) should keep an eye on.
Both Man City and Brighton are looking to raid South America once again and sign Boca Juniors talent Valentin Barco – we scouted Barco back in May 2023 playing in the Argentine reserves league and our TIPPSTER model graded him as a player, at that moment, who looked like he could make an instant big impact at Tier 2 level.
According to reports, Man United have turned their attention to Benfica’s Antonio Silva to solve their defensive worries – we first watched Antonio Silva in September 2022 and graded him as a big impact Tier 1 player.
While not many graduates from Real Madrid’s La Fabrica academy become instant first-team hits at the club, many go on to have very good careers elsewhere and some even return to Madrid further down the line – in this scout report, we look at Alvaro Rodriguez of Raul’s RM Castilla. He is a striker with a first-team goal already and a player who will certainly succeed elsewhere. xGOLD matches him to Victor Oshimen, Ollie Watkins and Robert Lewandowski.
Bristol City are back in the FAWSL this season after spending a couple of campaigns in the second tier. We analysed why their fans were right to be hopeful of a swift top-flight return back in February 2022 in a team analysis piece. With Sille Struck joining the Red Robins on a free transfer this week, how will she add to their bid for survival this term?
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After netting twice in three Serie A games for Fiorentina to start the 2023/24 campaign, Nicolás González scored the last of Argentina’s three goals as the World Champions cruised to victory over Bolivia yesterday. Remind yourself of why the attacker stood out for Stuttgart back in 2019/20 with our scout report from back then.
Meanwhile, River Plate’s Salomón Rondón scored a late winner to secure Venezuela’s first three points of the World Cup qualification campaign versus Paraguay. Recap why the striker’s profile was in demand among Premier League clubs back in the summer of 2019 when we analysed his game in a player analysis piece.
Fabio Grosso is reportedly set to take charge of Lyon following Laurent Blanc’s sacking. We have an analysis of the 45 y/o’s tactics that guided Frosinone to the Serie B title last season.
Tomorrow, you'll be able to get your hands on the latest TFA Scouted Magazine - watch this space!
That's it for today - we'll be back tomorrow with more tactics, analysis and scouting. Spread the word!
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