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Fri 16 Oct
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Tactics

How matches are actually won, explained with the data.

Illustration for the Tactics article “How does Rayo Vallecano's style shape the job of its centre-forward?”: an AI-generated editorial illustration showing a scene illustrating the subject of the article, with the headline set over it. Illustrative only, not a photograph of a real event.
Tactics
How does Rayo Vallecano's style shape the job of its centre-forward?

At Rayo, the centre-forward is the first defender as well as the main finisher. A small…

8 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “How the Nations League table shapes Croatia against Spain”: 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 the Nations League table shapes Croatia against Spain

Searches in Spain about Croatia v Spain are mostly about two things: where each side…

8 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “Read the Spain v Croatia wide battle the way an analyst does”: 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 Spain v Croatia wide battle the way an analyst does

To analyse Spain against Croatia, watch the flanks. Spain usually build through patient…

8 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield
Illustration for the Tactics article “Simulation in football and the coach's power of selection”: 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
Simulation in football and the coach's power of selection

Simulation, or diving, means pretending to be fouled in order to fool the referee. The…

8 Oct 2026 · Tom Whitfield