Czech Republic vs Portugal
Portugal would continue from where they left off last match, setting up in a 442 with a diamond midfield and no changes to the starting line up. Sa Pinto’s movements would take him more to the right wing area, and similarly Joao Pinto would do the same on the left side. Rui Costa had to […]
Germany vs Croatia
This game would prove to be a real test of Berti Vogts managerial skill sets, both in how he managed this game tactically and maintained freshness within what was a squad carrying significant injuries. Mehmet Scholl would come in to replace the injured Thomas Hassler in midfield, Stefan Reuter would come back in for Thomas […]
France vs Holland
Guus Hiddink would alter the shape of his Holland side in this match, reverting to a back four in defence presumably as a reaction to the humbling they received in the final group match from England. Blind would be the player to step forward into the midfield to make the back line a diamond, connecting […]
England vs Spain
England Head Coach Terry Venables had some tough decisions to make ahead of this game, primarily who would replace the suspended Paul Ince in midfield, but how that switch would then impact the rest of the team. Venables would eventually settle on David Platt, who’s position varied throughout the game within a highly fluid 4-4-2 […]
Euro 96 Round 3 Attack Analysis
The end of Round 3 of matches brings a close to the Group Section phase, and with it the departure of half of the competing teams at the tournament. Some would do their best to meander through Round 3 with as little effort as possible, while others would go down in a blaze of glory. […]
Italy vs Germany
Sacchi was left with an interesting dilemma in this match, in that Casiraghi and Chiesa had overall performed very well, despite the formers glaring miss versus the Czechs, but neither really complimented the other. Sacchi would choose to select Casiraghi, with experience likely being the deciding factor, and was partnered with Zola as the more […]
Russia vs Czech Republic
With Russia unable to progress Head Coach Oleg Romantsev would make five changes to the starting line up and would again change formation, this time favoring a 4-4-2. Russia’s center backs were both very aggressive in carrying the ball forward into the midfield line, thus enabling Radimov and Khoklov to take up higher positions. On […]
Turkey vs Denmark
Turkey would close out their Euro 96 campaign with a return to a single target man, Hakan Sukur, leading the line in what was an altogether more attacking outlook. Hami, while deployed as a second striker, often dropped deep to carry the ball forward on the dribble. This would enable Turkey to connect the midfield […]
Croatia vs Portugal
Croatia would field a significantly weaker squad in this final match, however much of their patterns of play & strategies would remain the same. Jarni & Simic would provide the attacking width in the match, both of which had specific instructions to enter the final third & play penetrative passes where possible. Both Jurcevic & […]
Holland vs England
England’s pregame lineup was listed as a flat 442, however as the game got underway it morphed into more of a diamond midfield, as England sought to get to grips with the Dutch midfield diamond. England’s build up play was more deliberate coming out of the back, with midfielders constantly dropping toward Adams and […]