We at Corner Kick have made a lot out of the concept of tactical unity – that is, the idea that a team with a defined tactical identity will, over time, outperform its counterparts. I would stipulate that one of the reasons teams like Manchester City are able to be so successful is that their … Continue reading Unai Emery’s Arsenal Are For Real
On a torrid and torn up pitch, Barcelona defeated Valladolid 0-1 away from home in a strange match. Former Barcelona keeper Jordi Masip kept the Blaugrana at bay in the first half, as both teams struggled to establish any rhythm because of the bumpy field. In the second half, a tactical switch from Ernesto Valverde … Continue reading Valladolid vs Barcelona Recap: 0-1
Defending Premier League champions Manchester City got their title defense underway with a 2-0 defeat of Arsenal at the Emirates. In Arsenal’s first game in over two decades without Arsene Wenger at the helm, the Gunners looked sloppy in possession but created a number of chances against the Citizens. Raheem Sterling scored a deflected strike … Continue reading Manchester City 2, Arsenal 0: The Recap
France are your 2018 World Cup Champions. Lead by Griezmann, Mbappe, and Pogba, Les Bleus made the whole planet “take the L” on the way to a smash-and-grab 4-2 victory over dark horse finalists Croatia. But now, with the World Cup behind us and the empty weeks of July and early August ahead of us, … Continue reading A World Cup to Remember: 10 Things to Savor
Beautiful at times and grotesque at others, Spain somehow progressed to the Round of 16 on the back of a 2–2 draw against a feisty Morocco that left the Iberians at the top of Group B. The Lions hounded Spain in the opening minutes. Their fervor raised the temperature of the game early on and … Continue reading 2–2: Spain Do Enough Against Morocco
The top team in Group F took on the bottom side, as Mexico looked to collect another three points against South Korea. Mexico knocked off the defending champions Germany in their first game, while South Korea lost to a more physical Sweden. The game started choppy, with some sloppy fouls from both sides, and neither … Continue reading 2-1: Mexico Continue Impressive Form at the Expense of South Korea
Argentine fans looking for their side to rebound following a disappointing 1-1 draw against minnows Iceland faced a disturbing image before kickoff. As the camera panned down the line of Argentina players singing their national anthem, the frame paused on Lionel Messi. The Argentina talisman and captain wasn’t singing proudly; instead he held his head … Continue reading 3-0: Free Flowing Croatia Put Messi On Brink of Elimination
Russia impressed in St. Petersburg as they cruised to a 3-1 over an overwhelmed Egyptian side that, even with the help of a returning Mohamed Salah, were incapable of hanging with the hosts’ long ball tactics and physicality. In the buildup to this match, soccer analysts and fans alike all pondered the fitness of the … Continue reading 3-1: Clinical Russia Bury The Pharaohs on Salah’s Return
Moscow was temporarily transformed into the Estadio Azteca on Sunday when Mexico took on Germany in a heavyweight matchup. Germany, the defending champions, were heavily favored for their group, while Mexico were picked to finish in second. However, it was Mexico who dominated the entire game. Playing largely on the counter against a possession-heavy Germany … Continue reading 0-1: Mexico Claim Win Against Germany
Lionel Messi and Argentina began a highly anticipated World Cup campaign with a whimper as Iceland secured a historic result in their first ever World Cup appearance. After Sergio Aguero opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Alfred Finnbogason capitalized off of a Willy Caballero rebound to score the Vikings first ever World Cup goal. … Continue reading 1-1: Messi Misses Penalty as Iceland Secure Historic Result
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