Italy vs Russia
Italy have a very clearly defined and aggressive 442 defensive structure that uses immediate forward pressure to pin the opponent back, but also maintains a very high defensive line should they beat the first line of pressure. These moments allow Italy to create attacks closer to the opposition goal should they force a turn over, […]
Italy vs Russia
1994 World Cup finalists Italy began their campaign with a fixture against Russia in Group C. Italy finished second to Croatia in qualifying group 4, but secured their place in the tournament as the highest seeded runner up. The Italians finished qualifying in good form, drawing 1-1 with 10 men in Croatia after goalkeeper Luca […]
Romania vs France
France kicked off their Euro 96 campaign by riding a strong defensive performance to a 1-0 victory over a livewire Romanian team. The two teams were more than familiar with each other, as both came through Qualifying Group 1, with Romania topping the group, one point ahead of the French. France drew 0-0 with Romania […]
Romania vs France
Romania started the match in an asymmetrical 433 shape, which was predicated around the positioning of Hagi’s free role. Munteanu defensive role was to man mark Karembeu, however he also served as an effective wide left player, overlapping the central movements of Hagi to provide width. Lacatus did well to manage the inside/outside right balance […]
Holland vs Scotland
Holland’s system of play was a 343 diamond system, which utilized short build up play to move the ball into the inside channels of the midfield, and then penetrative passes were played into the striker or wingers depending on where the opposition back line moved to. Bogarde & Reiziger were tasked with building play, specifically […]
Holland vs Scotland
Netherlands entered the tournament as somewhat of an enigma, being installed as one of the bookmakers’ favorites despite a tough qualifying campaign. The Netherlands finished second in Group 5 behind the Czech Republic, only beating Norway to a playoff spot courtesy of the goal difference tie breaker. Two goals from Patrick Kluivert helped the Dutch […]
Denmark vs Portugal
Denmark would set up in a tight defensive structure, designed to flood the central areas of the field and attack through moments of transition. A style that had served them so well at Euro 92. On this occasion however they would have Michael Laudrup in attack alongside brother Brian, both of whom were pivotal in […]
Denmark vs Portugal
Portugal and Denmark opened their respective Euro 96 campaigns with an entertaining 1-1 draw played out at Hillsborough. Portugal topped their qualifying group by six clear points, and had seen similar climate and surroundings to what they would experience in England, when they won 2-1 against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Despite leading Portugal with 6 […]
Germany vs Czech Republic
Berti Vogts side is built within the now famous German 3-5-2 system that had brought them so much success for the better part of two decades. Germany’s attacking set up was to cover the width of the pitch and supply different types of movement to break down the opposition lines of pressure. On the right […]
Germany vs Czech Republic
The Czech Republic opened their tournament campaign with a tough fixture against Germany. Germany entered the tournament off the back of a successful qualifying campaign, topping a group that included a talented Bulgaria team who had knocked them out of the 1994 World Cup in the USA. In the final game of the group, with […]