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Weaknesses

Arsenal weaknesses recognized says Southampton boss

by Soccer-News April 4, 2026

written by Soccer-News

Tonda Eckert insists Southampton have noticed methods to hassle Arsenal, with the Saints supervisor satisfied his aspect can harm the Premier League leaders in tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Picture by Simon Galloway/Getty Photographs

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Arsenal arrive at St Mary’s trying to hold their treble hopes alive, returning to motion a fortnight after defeat to Manchester Metropolis within the Carabao Cup last. A Champions League quarter-final towards Sporting and a league assembly with Bournemouth are up subsequent, whereas i.

Even so, Arsenal begin as clear favourites. They’ve misplaced solely 4 matches all season and stay the stronger aspect by any wise measure. Southampton, although, come into the tie in glorious type themselves. The Championship promotion hopefuls are unbeaten in 14 matches and reached the quarter-finals by successful 1-0 at Fulham.

That run has plainly fuelled perception inside the house camp. Eckert was beneficiant in his evaluation of Arsenal, however simply as clear that Southampton see alternatives of their very own. “It’s a nice workforce,” he of their guests. “Rightfully each single supervisor in a press convention praises what Arsenal does and I can solely proceed that reward.

Picture by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Photographs

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“It’s a improbable workforce with many solutions to issues that you just give them, so the preparation was enjoyable as a result of there’s many extra iterations of what you could possibly probably do.

“However I believe we have now discovered a few bits the place we’re in a position to harm them and we’d like to ensure we carry that on the pitch. If you wish to win, the strain is at all times on you, and it’s for us to take that because it comes and ensure that we play recreation.”

It’s the form of confidence any supervisor would need earlier than a tie like this. Southampton have momentum, they’ve already knocked out one Premier League aspect, and their supervisor is just not dressing the night up as a free hit. He believes there are weaknesses to be exploited.

April 4, 2026 0 comments

Serie A

Tudor: ‘Bologna and Juventus each have strengths and weaknesses’

by Soccer-News May 5, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Igor Tudor explains the considerably stunning choices as Juventus tackle Bologna in a direct battle for fourth place. ‘They’ve strengths and weaknesses, so will we.’

It kicks off on the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

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The Bianconeri leapfrogged Bologna into fourth place final week, so this can be a big battle for Champions League qualification in an more and more tight race.

, as a result of Kenan Yildiz begins his two-match ban, with Dusan Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Arek Milik, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal injured.

Tudor leaves Francisco Conceicao out once more

Francisco Conceicao of Juventus pulls his shirt over his head through the Coppa Italia match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Pictures)

“I’ve to make the alternatives I believe are finest. I noticed the lads fired up, prepared and keen to reply to Bologna, as a result of we all know their taking part in fashion. Will probably be a beautiful recreation to play,”

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Weston McKennie is moved into yet one more new position, this time together with Nico Gonzalez supporting Randal Kolo Muani, whereas Nicoló Savona is a makeshift central defender.

“Kolo Muani assaults the area, however we’d like all 11 gamers to offer their contribution and make as few errors as doable. Bologna have their strengths and weaknesses, so will we. We’ll see what occurs on the sphere.”

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring their staff’s first aim through the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)

Juventus have had a tough couple of weeks, as after the 1-0 defeat to Parma, they scraped a 2-0 victory over all-time low Monza when right down to 10 males, as Kenan Yildiz was despatched off.

“We had some issues lacking gamers, however there’ll all the time be 11 plus 5 off the bench. These are enormously necessary video games, however not decisive, so we’ll see,” concluded Tudor.

May 5, 2025 0 comments

Champions League

Ancelotti dangers sack as Inter verify for Barcelona weaknesses

by Soccer-News April 27, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Carlo Ancelotti dangers after shedding , 3-2 in additional time, however Inter would possibly be taught from Barcelona’s match forward of the Champions League semi-final.

Kylian Mbappé was solely match for the bench with Eduardo Camavinga out for the season, whereas Robert Lewandowski missed out for the Blaugrana and can also be a serious doubt for even the second leg of

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There was a blow early on for Ancelotti, as a result of Ferland Mendy limped off within the opening 10 minutes, including to the intensive damage checklist.

Lamine Yamal skimmed the upright and Thibaut Courtois fingertipped a Jules Kounde header over, however Barcelona broke the impasse with a ferocious Pedri strike into the highest nook from nicely exterior the world.

Jude Bellingham had the ball within the internet, however had wandered offside, then the referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Vinicius just for that too to be flagged offside.

Dani Olmo risked scoring instantly from the nook flag, because it went previous everybody to thump the far submit.

Ancelotti transforms Actual Madrid in second half

SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Kylian Mbappe of Actual Madrid scores his group’s first objective from a free kick throughout the Copa del Rey Last match between FC Barcelona and Actual Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Photos)

Ancelotti needed to take a danger and throw on the not totally match Mbappé at half-time and it made an affect, Vinicius forcing a double save out of ex-Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on the close to stick, then the veteran threw himself at Mbappé’s effort.

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Vinicius twisted and turned previous two, however Koundé made the decisive block finally, then the Brazilian curled simply vast.

Mbappé wished a crimson card when Frenkie de Jong pulled him again operating on objective, however there have been sufficient defenders round to warrant solely a yellow. It didn’t matter, because the Frenchman scored from the ensuing free kick, in off the within of the upright, which remarkably was the primary direct free kick objective of his whole skilled profession.

Ancelotti’s Actual Madrid turned the sport round with Aurelien Tchaouameni’s header from a nook, a state of affairs that Inter will need to examine for the Champions League semi-final, as it’s certainly one of their strengths.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Pedri of FC Barcelona scores his group’s first objective throughout the Copa del Rey Last match between FC Barcelona and Actual Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Photos)

Courtois palmed a Lamine Yamal roller around the far submit, however Barcelona drew degree when Ferran Torres ran onto the impressed Lamine Yamal ball excessive and drew out the goalkeeper to deposit into an empty internet from a decent angle.

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One other blow quickly after for Ancelotti noticed Vinicius limp off, then on the 96th minute Raul Asencio went into a careless deal with on Raphinha for a penalty. VAR really useful an On-Subject Evaluation, displaying Raphinha was dragging his trailing leg to make contact, so the penalty was revoked and the Barcelona participant booked for simulation.

As a substitute, the Copa del Rey Last went to additional time in Seville with Barcelona making just one substitution in regular time. Ferran Torres was clearly offside when scoring, however Koundé made up for his earlier poor defending on Tchouameni by restoring the Blaugrana’s lead on 116 minutes. He pounced on a misplaced move within the ultimate third and drilled into the close to backside nook from the sting of the world.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona scores his group’s third objective throughout the Copa del Rey Last match between FC Barcelona and Actual Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Photos)

There was virtually extra drama, Mbappé hacked down solely after Brahim Diaz was flagged offside on the move. It was an excessive amount of for Antonio Rudiger, who was despatched off from the bench for dissent and needed to be held again by a number of workers members as he tried to confront the referee.

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Barcelona 3-2 Actual Madrid (aet)

Pedri 28 (B), Mbappé 70 (RM), Tchaouameni 77 (RM), Ferran Torres 84 (B), Koundé 116 (B)

Barcelona: Szczesny; Koundè, Martinez, Cubarsì, Martin (Araujo 85); de Jong (Gavi 85), Pedri (Garcia 98); Yamal, Olmo (Lopez 65), Raphinha; Torres (Victor 115)

Actual Madrid: Courtois; Vasquez (Guler 55), Asencio, Rudiger (Endrick 110), Mendy (Fran Garcia 11); Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos (Modric 55); Bellingham; Rodrygo (Mbappè 46), Vinicius Jr (Diaz 89)

April 27, 2025 0 comments

Champions League

Man Metropolis vs Liverpool: How Reds can exploit Residents’ defensive weaknesses

by Soccer-News February 22, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Pep Guardiola has seemed like a damaged man for a lot of the season and on Wednesday evening he lastly accepted defeat.

After had been dumped out of the , Guardiola conceded that the once-European conquerors had been knocked off their perch.

“Nothing is everlasting,” Guardiola stated.

“We’ve been unbelievable and we now have to attempt step-by-step to get higher from immediately. We’ve been terribly extraordinary up to now, however not any extra.

“We’ve 13 video games [left in the ] and need to be high 4 or 5 to attempt to be [in the Champions League] once more.”

It was solely two years in the past that Man Metropolis reigned as Treble winners with one of the vital completed groups in world soccer. However flash ahead to current day and Guardiola’s males look a world a manner from profitable something.

In opposition to Actual Madrid, they had been run ragged by Kylian Mbappe, who netted a hat-trick, and had been at sixes and sevens in defence. The group haven’t any time to treatment their frailty on the again as they now put together to welcome the league leaders to the Etihad on Sunday.

Arne Slot could have carried out loads of preparation on Man Metropolis within the build-up to this big sport and can seemingly pinpoint their full-backs as an space the place Liverpool can get some actual pleasure.

Proper again has been an enormous drawback space all season for Man Metropolis and it’s one which Guardiola nonetheless appears to be like like he’s determining. The final 5 video games have been like an audition course of for the place. 4 gamers have tried out the function however none of them look comfy. First it was Matheus Nunes, who performed within the disastrous 5-1 loss to , then Manuel Akanji within the first leg in opposition to Actual Madrid. Within the 4-0 win over , it was Rico Lewis.

In opposition to Madrid within the second leg, new signing Abdukodir Khusanov was thrusted into the right-back berth however had a tough night as Vinicius Jr and Mbappe ran at him all evening and had loads of success. He made only one sort out, one interception and misplaced two challenges, with a floor duel success of 40%.

It wasn’t simply him who needed to overlook although, as Ruben Dias was at fault for the primary aim after failing to cope with a protracted ball excessive and lacking his header, permitting Mbappe to attain the opener. The Frenchman then lower Man Metropolis’s defence into ribbons for the second aim, sitting Josko Gvardiol down on the bottom earlier than slotting house. For the third, the whole again line sat immobile because the famous person ahead effortlessly rolled a roller into the far nook.

Man Metropolis have proven you may get at them on both flank, which ought to present loads of optimism for Liverpool on Sunday. The Reds are hoping to welcome again Cody Gakpo from harm and he’d relish the possibility to run at one in every of Metropolis’s makeshift right-backs, which is prone to be Nunes once more this weekend.

On the left, Gvardiol shall be dealing with off in opposition to Mo Salah who has scored in every of his final seven matches and that duel may very well be a mismatch primarily based on his sorry efficiency on the Bernabeu. He made a complete of simply two tackles, misplaced two challenges and did not make a single interception. Going ahead didn’t convey an excessive amount of positivity both as he didn’t try a cross and solely accomplished one out of two tried take-ons.

It appeared like an off evening for the Croatian, who has statistically been the most effective left-backs within the Premier League this season after having the best floor duel success (62.1%), essentially the most passes into the ultimate third accomplished (145).

Nevertheless, we’ve seen him make six errors resulting in a shot this season, the best of anybody in his place who’s performed greater than 1,500 minutes. And Liverpool will definitely look to use that via Salah, who can run gamers ragged on a mean day.

Slot’s group shall be hoping to prey on the uncertainty on the again at Man Metropolis after the shoddy show from Ruben Dias and John Stones in opposition to Madrid.

As they confirmed in opposition to , Liverpool will punish any errors with their relentless excessive line after Villa’s pricey backpass led to a simple opener for Salah. And both Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz will look to take a seat on the shoulder of the final defender and run in behind. Liverpool have that skill to open groups up at will and Man Metropolis can unwell afford any lapses in focus.

One other plus for Liverpool is that Man Metropolis will seemingly be with out key ahead Erling Haaland, after the Norwegian missed the journey to Madrid with a knock. Omar Marmoush doesn’t have that very same bodily presence up entrance although he’ll nonetheless be a fear for Slot along with his very good skill at 1v1 dribbling, combining with others and medical ending — as he demonstrated by netting a hat-trick within the 4-0 win over Newcastle final week.

Like Man Metropolis, Liverpool additionally look susceptible at full-back after Villa managed to seek out gaps down the flanks — so Marmoush could look to enterprise into the channels left behind throughout counter assaults.

However Liverpool shall be by far the extra assured facet out of the 2 and Slot bullishly warned Guardiola’s males that they haven’t misplaced within the league since September.

“What I count on from Metropolis is what all people expects while you go to the Etihad: you must endure and work extraordinarily exhausting as a result of they’re so good in possession,” he stated.

“However in addition they face a robust group that hasn’t misplaced in 22 video games.”

The onus may be very a lot on Liverpool to ship on the Etihad, a venue the place they haven’t tasted victory since 2018. There has by no means been a greater time to convey that torrid run to an finish.

February 22, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Three Liverpool weaknesses to present Man United hope in Premier League showdown

by Soccer-News January 2, 2025

written by Soccer-News

There arguably hasn’t been a much bigger gulf in high quality between these two sides in latest reminiscence. Liverpool sit six factors clear on the high of the Premier League desk, having performed a recreation lower than their title rivals. Man United, in the meantime, are down in 14th.

Life beneath Ruben Amorim hasn’t gone in keeping with plan because the Portuguese supervisor changed Erik ten Hag. The Purple Devils are simply seven factors away from the relegation zone, and a whopping 23 behind Liverpool.

So nobody is giving them an opportunity forward of this weekend. However is there trigger for Purple Devils followers to be optimistic? We’ve taken a have a look at a number of potential weaknesses.

Centre-back uncertainty

Liverpool stored a clear sheet of their last recreation of 2024, beating 0-5 on the London Stadium. But it surely wasn’t an ideal day for his or her defence.

With Ibrahima Konate already out injured, Joe Gomez needed to come off within the first half with a knock of his personal. He’s now a doubt for Sunday alongside Konate. Jarell Quansah got here on to interchange Gomez and is the seemingly beginning companion for Virgil van Dijk in opposition to Man United.

Quansah appeared stable in opposition to West Ham, however the Hammers supplied little or no risk and Liverpool have been snug. West Ham didn’t have a single shot on the right track on the London Stadium.

Earlier in December although, Quansah had come off the bench for Liverpool in opposition to Fulham and didn’t fare as nicely. He appeared shaky after approaching and was get together guilty for Rodrigo Muniz’s objective to place Fulham 1-2 up.

The 21-year-old has had 225 minutes within the Premier League this season and has averaged 3.6 clearances per 90 minutes. Whereas he has been on the pitch, Liverpool have conceded 4 objectives, together with three in the one recreation he performed the complete 90 minutes (a 3-3 draw with ).

Man United’s greatest likelihood of beating Liverpool can be in the event that they strike early. The Reds have conceded the opening objective in 4 of their 9 dwelling league video games this season, and every of their previous two.

Whereas Liverpool rank joint-second for factors gained from dropping positions within the Premier League this season, Man United’s report when going forward is spectacular. The Purple Devils have dropped simply 4 factors from profitable positions within the Premier League this season, with solely Liverpool (2) dropping fewer.

And it’s not even that the pattern dimension for Man United is just too small. They’ve been forward in eight video games up to now this season, profitable six and drawing two.

Liverpool’s gradual begins are additional demonstrated if you happen to break the Premier League into two a lot of 45-minute matches. If matches ended at half-time, Liverpool wouldn’t be second within the Premier League, trailing by one level. Whereas that’s not a lot of a distinction in place, Liverpool could be 11 factors worse off.

The Reds would have gained 10, drawn 4 and misplaced 4 of their 18 matches up to now. If we have a look at second halves alone, Liverpool could be seven factors clear on the high. They’d have 13 wins, 4 attracts and one defeat, fairly near their precise report after 18 video games. So, Man United simply want to verify they’ve bought a large enough half-time lead. Simple, proper?

Left-back struggles

One other concern with Liverpool’s defence is the shape and health of Andy Robertson. The Scot wasn’t afforded a lot relaxation over the festive interval, with backup Kostas Tsimikas fighting health. When Robertson did get a while off, it was as a result of he was suspended after his pink card in opposition to .

Whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold goes from power to power, Robertson isn’t the attacking or defensive pressure he as soon as was. He’s nonetheless good, however he’s lots simpler to get at than he was. In opposition to West Ham, Robertson made a mistake that led to an early likelihood for the Hammers — and he was fortunate it went unpunished.

Robertson has averaged 1.67 tackles per 90 minutes within the Premier League this season, 0.49 interceptions and 1.25 clearances accomplished. Then there’s the truth that he’ll be up in opposition to Amad Diallo, who was the goalscoring hero in Man United’s FA Cup win over Liverpool final season.

Since Amorim took cost, Diallo has been straight concerned in 5 objectives for Man United, averaging 0.68 per 90 minutes. He’s been devastating along with his dribbling too, finishing 2.58 take-ons per 90, greater than another Man United participant beneath Amorim.

Hope for the remaining

After which there’s one thing for Liverpool’s title rivals to hope for, if Man United do spring an upset. In mid-March final season, Liverpool have been nonetheless preventing on 4 fronts.

That they had already secured the EFL Cup, have been within the FA Cup quarter-finals, Europa League quarter-finals and really a lot within the Premier League title race. Liverpool’s quadruple dream got here to an finish within the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Man United’s 4-3 win after extra-time.

And that consequence appeared to take lots out of Liverpool. The Reds gained simply six of their last 12 video games of the season, falling away within the title race and dropping to Atalanta within the Europa League quarter-finals.

A 50% win price by itself isn’t too unhealthy. However Liverpool’s win price of their first 45 video games of the season — previous to the FA Cup tie with Man United — was an unimaginable 73.3%. They’d gained 33 of these 45 video games, solely dropping 4 instances. That’s only one extra defeat in 45 than they recorded amongst their last 12 video games.

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January 2, 2025 0 comments

Champions League

Barter: “Liverpool Can Exploit Metropolis’s Weaknesses After Champions League Fatigue”

by Soccer-News December 1, 2024

written by Soccer-News

Manchester Metropolis’s Points and the Upcoming Conflict with Liverpool

Within the newest episode of the Stat Pack podcast from Anfield Index, Dave Davis and Dr. Phil Barter mentioned Manchester Metropolis’s ongoing defensive struggles and their implications as they put together for a vital fixture in opposition to Liverpool at Anfield.

As Metropolis’s defensive vulnerabilities change into more and more evident, notably in latest Champions League performances, Liverpool’s tactical self-discipline and urgent sport are anticipated to take advantage of these points.

Metropolis’s Vulnerabilities Uncovered: Defensive Struggles and XG Points

Dr. Barter highlighted that Manchester Metropolis have been conceding a regarding quantity of anticipated objectives (XG), noting that this defensive frailty is uncharacteristic for a workforce of their calibre: “Metropolis have conceded over 2 XG in a number of latest video games, which is uncharacteristic for them,” Barter defined. “In opposition to groups like Southampton, Brighton, and even at dwelling to Fulham, Metropolis have allowed massive probabilities, which may show expensive in opposition to a aspect like Liverpool that thrives on exploiting such weaknesses.”

Dave Davis additional expanded on Metropolis’s defensive points, declaring that latest matches have proven a major drop of their regular requirements: “If you happen to have a look at their XG numbers, they’ve been conceding 2.6 XG in opposition to groups like Fulham and Southampton. For a workforce that normally retains their opponents to a minimal, that’s a severe concern.”

This drop in defensive solidity was compounded by Metropolis’s struggles to manage the sport, notably in midfield, an space that has been a weak spot for them this season. In keeping with Barter, this lack of management has been detrimental: “Metropolis haven’t been in a position to management the sport the best way they normally do, particularly after enjoying midweek Champions League matches. That is the place they begin to lose stability, and their regular defensive solidity drops off.”

Liverpool’s Response: Tactical Mastery and Exploiting Metropolis’s Weaknesses

For Liverpool, their tactical shift within the second half in opposition to Actual Madrid showcased how they could exploit Manchester Metropolis’s defensive struggles. Dr. Barter defined the important thing tactical adjustment that came about after the break: “Within the second half in opposition to Actual Madrid, we began attacking extra centrally within the half-spaces somewhat than out extensive. This compelled Madrid’s defenders to stretch and observe runs, tiring them out and opening up areas for us.”

Davis agreed with this evaluation, noting that this shift allowed Liverpool to be simpler going ahead: “The shift in focus in the direction of the half-space, particularly from Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister, created a a lot greater risk for Liverpool. The change was evident in how we moved the ball extra shortly and extra successfully into harmful areas.”

Liverpool’s second-half changes had been backed by vital statistical enchancment, as Barter identified: “We had our highest proportion of very excessive passing chains, over 15 passes in a series, for the season. This allowed us to generate extra risk and finally take management of the sport.”

Conor Bradley’s Defensive Function and Key Performances

Conor Bradley’s efficiency in opposition to Actual Madrid, which earned him the official man of the match award, was one other spotlight for Liverpool. Regardless of the approval for his attacking contributions, Barter famous Bradley’s defensive work: “Bradley had a tremendous sport. He was up in opposition to one of many prime 5 gamers on the planet, Kylian Mbappé, and managed to match his tempo, recording Liverpool’s highest prime pace for the evening.”

Nevertheless, Davis supplied a barely totally different perspective on the match’s key contributor: “Bradley had an excellent sport, however for me, Mac Allister was essential. His management and distribution in midfield had been excellent, and with out him, we wouldn’t have created the identical degree of risk.”

Conclusion: A Optimistic Outlook for Liverpool

Looking forward to Liverpool’s match in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, each Barter and Davis agreed that the important thing to victory lies in exploiting Metropolis’s defensive frailties and urgent their midfield. Barter emphasised: “Liverpool have the instruments to take advantage of Metropolis’s defensive vulnerabilities. If we will press excessive and create probabilities from the half-space, we’ll have an actual shot at a optimistic consequence.”

Davis concluded: “We are able to’t afford to let Metropolis settle, particularly with their latest XG struggles. If we go into the sport with the identical depth and tactical self-discipline as we confirmed in opposition to Actual Madrid, there’s each probability we will trigger issues for Metropolis’s defence.”

December 1, 2024 0 comments