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Sun 18 Oct
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Tactics

How matches are actually won, explained with the data.

Illustration for the Tactics article “Sandro Mazzola, Grande Inter's Forward and Italy's Staffetta”: an AI-generated editorial illustration showing an empty training ground at dawn with cones and markers laid out, with the headline set over it. Illustrative only, not a photograph of a real event.
Tactics
Sandro Mazzola, Grande Inter's Forward and Italy's Staffetta

The Guardian reports that Sandro Mazzola has died aged 83. He spent his whole career at…

1 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “How do Spain and Croatia set each other tactical problems?”: an AI-generated editorial illustration showing an empty training ground at dawn with cones and markers laid out, with the headline set over it. Illustrative only, not a photograph of a real event.
Tactics
How do Spain and Croatia set each other tactical problems?

Spain usually want to control the ball through positional play and wide width. Croatia…

1 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “Spain's right flank and Croatia's midfield: a tactical meeting explained”: an AI-generated editorial illustration showing an empty training ground at dawn with cones and markers laid out, with the headline set over it. Illustrative only, not a photograph of a real event.
Tactics
Spain's right flank and Croatia's midfield: a tactical meeting explained

Searches in the Netherlands put Spain against Croatia and Lamine Yamal together. The…

1 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “Read the Tactical Contest in a Spain v Croatia Match, Step by Step”: an AI-generated editorial illustration showing an empty training ground at dawn with cones and markers laid out, with the headline set over it. Illustrative only, not a photograph of a real event.
Tactics
Read the Tactical Contest in a Spain v Croatia Match, Step by Step

To read Spain against Croatia, start with how each side builds from the back. Then count…

1 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield