The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

The Athletic

Hosted by Michael Bailey, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data department 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.

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327 episodes
Updated June 9

Episodes327

Newest first

May 27, 2020 · 50 min
How Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan in 2010
Jose Mourinho spoke to The Athletic's James Horncastle last week for an exclusive interview looking back at his treble-winning Inter Milan side ten years on, so for this week's pod we got James together with Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell for a deep dive into that famous season looking at the tactics, the players and the stories from one of the great sides of the modern era.
May 20, 2020 · 45 min
What's gone wrong with Man City's tactics this season?
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our resident Manchester City writer Sam Lee for a look at the tactical reasons behind City's failed title defence this season.Aiming to evaluate how much of an impact has the loss of Sane made, whether other teams have simply got better at playing through City's press, and assessing the pivotal relationship between De Bruyne and Aguero.
May 13, 2020 · 43 min
Bundesliga Special with Raphael Honigstein
The Athletic's German football writer Raphael Honigstein joins Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell to look at the teams, coaches, and players to look out for when the Bundesliga returns this weekend.Rafa explains how Hansi Flick has turned Bayern's season around, how this Dortmund side compares to Klopp's famous team, and we look at the strengths & weaknesses of the clutch of sides chasing the top two including RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
May 7, 2020 · 42 min
Unique Athletic Bilbao
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are once again joined by our resident Spanish Football Writer, Dermot Corrigan, this time to give Athletic Bilbao the Zonal Marking treatment... A whole host of familiar names including Marcelo Bielsa, Aymeric Laporte and Inaki Williams, a truly unique recruitment policy and a history inextricably linked to English football.
Apr 29, 2020 · 52 min
Why Norwich could be the best team to ever finish bottom of the Premier League
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by Michael Bailey to discuss why Norwich City promised so much at the start of the season only to eventually find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table - we take in their journey up as runaway champions, the key roles Daniel Farke & Stuart Webber have played, shine the spotlight on the individual talents of Cantwell, Buendia & Pukki and ultimately get to the bottom of why they've failed to pick up enough points this season
Apr 22, 2020 · 46 min
How has Zidane coached Real Madrid to three European Cups?
The Athletic's new Spanish football writer Dermot Corrigan joins Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell for a look at the tactics and philosophies behind Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid team that won an unprecedented three Champions League titles in a row between 2016 and 2018
Apr 15, 2020 · 50 min
There's more to Wilder's Sheffield United than overlapping centre-backs
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by football data analyst Jay Socik - aka Blades Analytic - for an in-depth look at the tactics that Chris Wilder has deployed in getting Sheffield United to 7th in the Premier League, and how they've evolved over time
Apr 8, 2020 · 42 min
1998/99 Rebooted: Alberto Zaccheroni's AC Milan
The Athletic's Michael Cox & James Horncastle join Ali Maxwell for a look back at Alberto Zaccheroni's Milan side of the 1998/99 season, featuring players such as George Weah, Zvonimir Boban, Leonardo and of course Paolo Maldini. A campaign which saw them clinch the title in a thrilling race with Lazio & Fiorentina that went right down to the wire.
Apr 3, 2020 · 24 min
What new tactics might we see from Pep Guardiola when football returns?
Earlier this week Michael Cox joined The Athletic's Manchester City podcast 'Why Always Us?' for a chat about his recent written piece where he proposed some potential tactical tweaks Pep Guardiola may choose to experiment with when football returns, and we thought regular Zonal Marking listeners would appreciate hearing Michael explain, among other things, why he thinks Kevin De Bruyne would make a good right-back or why Pep could make Rodri into a number 10, so here it is. Enjoy!
Apr 1, 2020 · 45 min
Why Atalanta are the most exciting team in Europe - with James Horncastle
The Athletic's Michael Cox & James Horncastle join Ali Maxwell to examine how and why Atalanta have become one of the most exciting teams in Europe over the last year or so, culminating with their recent Champions League victory over ValenciaSign up to The Athletic today for all of Michael's tactical insights... Get a 40% discount by visiting the athletic.com/zonalmarking
Mar 26, 2020 · 36 min
Why Liverpool's success is built on their defence
The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join Ali Maxwell to examine why Liverpool's imperious defence has been the driving force behind their outstanding season and not necessarily their glittering front three, uncovering a number of surprising stats along the way
Mar 18, 2020 · 38 min
How Ajax have adjusted to life after De Ligt & De Jong
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by Dutch football expert Priya Ramesh to examine how Ajax have adjusted to life after losing two of their star players last summer in Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, looking at their replacements, Ajax's fortunes in Europe, and the future of their much-admired coach Erik Ten HagSign up to The Athletic today for all of Michael's tactical insights... Get a 40% discount by visiting the athletic.com/zonalmarking
Mar 11, 2020 · 38 min
Sean Dyche's Burnley - It's a long 'PASS' not a long 'BALL'
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our Burnley correspondent, Andrew Jones, to dispel a few myths about Sean Dyche's Burnley and tactically dissect their 'throwback' style of play. Is there a ceiling to Dyche's tactics? Would Dwight McNeil and Nick Pope stand a better chance at selection for the England Euro 2020 squad at another club? And without a single Premier League red card this season - have we got them all wrong?
Mar 4, 2020 · 48 min
How Ancelotti has transformed Everton
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our resident Everton expert Patrick Boyland to look at the tactical changes Carlo Ancelotti has made during his reign at Everton so far, how he has attempted to fix some of the problems he inherited from Marco Silva, while also casting their eye back on Carlo's long and storied career as a top level managerSign up to The Athletic now for all of Michael Cox's tactical musings and get a 40% discount at theathletic.com/zonalmarking
Feb 26, 2020 · 33 min
Away Goals DON'T Count Double!
Was Gary Lineker right when he famously announced that NO goal should be of greater value than another? It's the debate you never knew you felt so strongly about... Should 'Away Goals' be scrapped? Ali Maxwell & Michael Cox are joined by Omar Chaudhuri, Head of Football Intelligence at 21st Club, to present their arguments... Where did the law come from, is it fair, and what if two teams have the same home ground??
Feb 19, 2020 · 31 min
How has the new goal kick rule changed the game?
Does it really make sense to play out from the back or are you better off hoofing it down the field? The Athletic's new Football Analytics writer, Tom Worville, joins Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell to explore the impact of the latest changes to the goal-kick rule...The trio assess the risks and the rewards of shorter goal kicks, how the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and even Burnley have exploited it, plus, Michael's suggestions for even more rule changes!
Feb 12, 2020 · 34 min
Can PSG & THE FANTASTIC 4 win the Champions League?
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by writer and broadcaster, Tom Williams, to assess whether Paris St Germain and 'Les Quatre Fantastiques' are capable of FINALLY capturing a thus-far-elusive Champions League crown this season...The trio delve into the tactical changes manager Thomas Tuchel has made since replacing Unai Emery, debate Neymar's quiet resurgence and preview a mouth-watering last 16 clash with Borussia Dortmund!
Feb 5, 2020 · 38 min
How Arteta has changed Arsenal
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell analyse the key tactical features of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal so far during his first 10 games in charge - looking at the way he's used the players at his disposal, to what extent he's mirrored the approach of Pep Guardiola, and whether what we've seen so far could tell us much about what his team might look like next season.
Jan 29, 2020 · 35 min
The Makelele Role
The Athletic's Michael Cox & Liam Twomey join Ali Maxwell to reflect upon the career of a player so good they named a position after him - Claude Makelele. Why was he so good at playing defensive midfield? Did he have more to his game than just getting it and giving it? And how has his legacy in that position affected those who've played it since?
Jan 22, 2020 · 39 min
Goalscoring goalkeepers
The Athletic's Michael Cox, Ali Maxwell and Jack Lang take a closer look at the goalkeepers who have made a career out of doing the business at the other end of the pitch. Not just popping up for the odd corner or accidentally knocking in a long goal-kick but those - and there are quite a few - who have genuinely played an attacking role for their teams.

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

How Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan in 2010

What's gone wrong with Man City's tactics this season?

Bundesliga Special with Raphael Honigstein

Unique Athletic Bilbao

Why Norwich could be the best team to ever finish bottom of the Premier League

How has Zidane coached Real Madrid to three European Cups?

There's more to Wilder's Sheffield United than overlapping centre-backs

1998/99 Rebooted: Alberto Zaccheroni's AC Milan

What new tactics might we see from Pep Guardiola when football returns?

Why Atalanta are the most exciting team in Europe - with James Horncastle

Why Liverpool's success is built on their defence

How Ajax have adjusted to life after De Ligt & De Jong

Sean Dyche's Burnley - It's a long 'PASS' not a long 'BALL'

How Ancelotti has transformed Everton

Away Goals DON'T Count Double!

How has the new goal kick rule changed the game?

Can PSG & THE FANTASTIC 4 win the Champions League?

How Arteta has changed Arsenal

The Makelele Role

Goalscoring goalkeepers