225 episodes

Hosted by Ali Maxwell, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game.

The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast The Athletic

    • Sport
    • 4.9 • 11 Ratings

Hosted by Ali Maxwell, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game.

    Champions League notebook: Is the tournament about to come alive?

    Champions League notebook: Is the tournament about to come alive?

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on the Champions League last 16.

    Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund make up the 2024 Champions League quarter finals.

    So what shape are the last eight in Europe’s elite competition in? 

    Which individual players shone in the last 16?

    And how has the first knockout round changed who we think the favourites are to win the whole thing?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.
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    • 46 min
    Klopp vs Guardiola: an era-defining rivalry

    Klopp vs Guardiola: an era-defining rivalry

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to reflect on one of the Premier League’s great managerial rivalries.

    Pep Guardiola's final tactical tussle with Jurgen Klopp, in the Premier League at least, is this weekend. 

    We look at their individual influences on the English game since they arrived and how they’ve influenced each other too.

    But who has struggled the most against the other: Pep vs Klopp, or vice versa?

    And will we ever see the like of this managerial rivalry in English football ever again?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.

    Podcast listening habits survey - theathletic.com/survey24.
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    • 46 min
    Breaking Down The Three Horse Title Race

    Breaking Down The Three Horse Title Race

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell break down what is potentially the most exciting title race for years.

    At time of recording, two points separate three teams at the top of the Premier League.

    We’ve scoured over the three title contenders to see if we can scientifically suss out who’ll be crowned Premier League champions in May.

    Will it be Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal?

    And which small details could cause delight or downfall for each side?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.
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    • 37 min
    Do teams want superstars anymore?

    Do teams want superstars anymore?

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to ask whether modern football teams actually want superstars anymore?

    Kylian Mbappé is leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer but, whisper it quietly; will they be a better team without him?

    How have Tottenham Hotspur adapted to the loss of their star man Harry Kane? 

    And how Have Bayern Munich had to adapt to having him?

    Also, is tournament football, at club and international level; the last bastion for the superstar?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.
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    • 41 min
    The Champions League knockouts: A deep dive

    The Champions League knockouts: A deep dive

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to give an overview of the runners and riders as the Champions League enters the last 16.

    Will anyone be able to stop Manchester City from retaining their crown?

    Should Bayern Munich be amongst the favourites considering their recent blunders in the Bundesliga?

    And is a dark horse going to ride to glory in this year’s competition?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.
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    • 45 min
    How To Beat Elite Teams

    How To Beat Elite Teams

    In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to discuss how to take on the elite teams.

    Should teams adapt their style against the big boys to try and get a result, or try to play the way they want to regardless of opposition?

    Who has been most effective against the elite teams in the Premier League this season?

    And what about when elite teams play each other?

    Produced by Steve Hankey.
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    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

TripleAAA Maximilano ,

Away Goals rule

Hi Guys,
I really enjoy listening to your podcast every week. Can you do a show on the changes to the away goals rule this season and what your take on it is.

I for one loved the complexity of the away goals rule and was sorry to see it go. It is a point for discussion and argument with my mates so would like to know your analysis and thoughts on it are.

Thanks,
Peter Gray

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