The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast
232 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 67 ratingsHosted by Ali Maxwell, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Assessing the best performers since the Premier League returned
June 24, 2020 05:00 - 49 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox joins Ali Maxwell to look at the first batch of Premier League games under Project Restart and pick out the teams & players who have best adapted to the unfamiliar conditions - with a particular focus on Tottenham, Man Utd, Brighton, Newcastle and Southampton. Elsewhere The Athletic's Crystal Palace writer Matt Woosnam drops in to give us the lowdown on how Roy Hodgson continues to inspire impressive performances from the Eagles, plus we look at the impact of the ne...
Italian football's search for the next Pirlo
June 17, 2020 08:34 - 49 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox and James Horncastle join Ali Maxwell ahead of Serie A returning this week for a look at the next generation of Italian midfielders, starting with a man some have compared to the legendary Andrea Pirlo - Brescia's Sandro Tonali. Tonali has been lighting up Serie A this season and drawing comparisons to Pirlo but is there more to his game than that comparison suggests? Elsewhere we take a broader look at the history of Italian midfielders - be they registas, fantasis...
Is this Setién's Barca or Messi's Barca?
June 10, 2020 17:09 - 38 minutesAhead of La Liga returning this weekend The Athletic's Michael Cox & Dermot Corrigan join Ali Maxwell to look at current state of Barcelona. They discuss how recently installed manager Quique Setien is settling in, how his tactical approach differs from his predecessors, why they're more reliant on Messi than ever, why Griezmann hasn't really hit the heights yet, plus a wider look at what's to be decided in La Liga with ten matches remaining. Subscribe to The Athletic for access to Michael Co...
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth - not as open & attacking as you think
June 03, 2020 15:16 - 44 minutesMichael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by The Athletic's Bournemouth writer Peter Rutzler to look at what has been a disappointing season for Eddie Howe's side. We pick apart the tactics - which may not be quite as open & entertaining as they once were - and look at the individual players who will be key if the Cherries are to avoid relegation when the season returns. Sign up to The Athletic here to access Michael Cox's unrivalled tactical coverage of the Premier League and get a 30 day free ...
How Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan in 2010
May 27, 2020 06:00 - 51 minutesJose Mourinho spoke to The Athletic's James Horncastle last week for an exclusive interview looking back at his treble-winning Inter Milan side ten years on, so for this week's pod we got James together with Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell for a deep dive into that famous season looking at the tactics, the players and the stories from one of the great sides of the modern era. Subscribe to The Athletic here for access to Michael Cox's unrivalled tactics writing and get a 90 day free trial Learn mor...
What's gone wrong with Man City's tactics this season?
May 20, 2020 14:51 - 46 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our resident Manchester City writer Sam Lee for a look at the tactical reasons behind City's failed title defence this season.Aiming to evaluate how much of an impact has the loss of Sane made, whether other teams have simply got better at playing through City's press, and assessing the pivotal relationship between De Bruyne and Aguero. Sign up to The Athletic here for access to Michael Cox's tactical musings and Sam Lee's unrivalled Manc...
Bundesliga Special with Raphael Honigstein
May 13, 2020 14:04 - 44 minutesThe Athletic's German football writer Raphael Honigstein joins Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell to look at the teams, coaches, and players to look out for when the Bundesliga returns this weekend.Rafa explains how Hansi Flick has turned Bayern's season around, how this Dortmund side compares to Klopp's famous team, and we look at the strengths & weaknesses of the clutch of sides chasing the top two including RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Sign up to The Athletic here fo...
Unique Athletic Bilbao
May 07, 2020 06:00 - 43 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are once again joined by our resident Spanish Football Writer, Dermot Corrigan, this time to give Athletic Bilbao the Zonal Marking treatment... A whole host of familiar names including Marcelo Bielsa, Aymeric Laporte and Inaki Williams, a truly unique recruitment policy and a history inextricably linked to English football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Norwich could be the best team to ever finish bottom of the Premier League
April 29, 2020 06:00 - 53 minutesSubscribe to The Athletic here for plenty more from Michael Cox, Michael Bailey and the rest of our unrivalled team of football writers and get a 90 day free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How has Zidane coached Real Madrid to three European Cups?
April 22, 2020 12:46 - 47 minutesSign up to The Athletic here and get a 90 day free trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There's more to Wilder's Sheffield United than overlapping centre-backs
April 15, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by football data analyst Jay Socik - aka Blades Analytic - for an in-depth look at the tactics that Chris Wilder has deployed in getting Sheffield United to 7th in the Premier League, and how they've evolved over time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1998/99 Rebooted: Alberto Zaccheroni's AC Milan
April 08, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & James Horncastle join Ali Maxwell for a look back at Alberto Zaccheroni's Milan side of the 1998/99 season, featuring players such as George Weah, Zvonimir Boban, Leonardo and of course Paolo Maldini. A campaign which saw them clinch the title in a thrilling race with Lazio & Fiorentina that went right down to the wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What new tactics might we see from Pep Guardiola when football returns?
April 03, 2020 04:00 - 25 minutesEarlier this week Michael Cox joined The Athletic's Manchester City podcast 'Why Always Us?' for a chat about his recent written piece where he proposed some potential tactical tweaks Pep Guardiola may choose to experiment with when football returns, and we thought regular Zonal Marking listeners would appreciate hearing Michael explain why he thinks Kevin De Bruyne would make a good right-back or why Pep could make Rodri into a number 10, so here it is. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choic...
Why Atalanta are the most exciting team in Europe - with James Horncastle
April 01, 2020 04:00 - 46 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & James Horncastle join Ali Maxwell to examine how and why Atalanta have become one of the most exciting teams in Europe over the last year or so, culminating with their recent Champions League victory over Valencia Sign up to The Athletic today for all of Michael's tactical insights... Get a 40% discount by visiting the athletic.com/zonalmarking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Liverpool's success is built on their defence
March 26, 2020 05:00 - 37 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join Ali Maxwell to examine why Liverpool's imperious defence has been the driving force behind their outstanding season and not necessarily their glittering front three, uncovering a number of surprising stats along the way Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Ajax have adjusted to life after De Ligt & De Jong
March 18, 2020 05:00 - 39 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by Dutch football expert Priya Ramesh to look at how Ajax have adjusted to life after losing two of their star players last summer in Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, looking at their replacements, Ajax's fortunes in Europe, and the future of their much-admired coach Erik Ten Hag Sign up to The Athletic today for all of Michael's tactical insights... Get a 40% discount by visiting the athletic.com/zonalmarking Learn more about your a...
Sean Dyche's Burnley - It's a long 'PASS' not a long 'BALL'
March 11, 2020 05:00 - 39 minutesSign up to The Athletic today for all of Michael's tactical insights... Get a 40% discount by visiting the athletic.com/zonalmarking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Ancelotti has transformed Everton
March 04, 2020 05:00 - 50 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our resident Everton expert Patrick Boyland to look at the tactical changes Carlo Ancelotti has made during his reign at Everton so far, how he has attempted to fix some of the problems he inherited from Marco Silva, while also casting their eye back on Carlo's long and storied career as a top level manager Sign up to The Athletic now for all of Michael Cox's tactical musings and get a 40% discount at theathletic.com/zonalmarking Learn...
Away Goals DON'T Count Double!
February 26, 2020 05:00 - 34 minutesWas Gary Lineker right when he famously announced that NO goal should be of greater value than another? It's the debate you never knew you felt so strongly about... Should 'Away Goals' be scrapped? Ali Maxwell & Michael Cox are joined by Omar Chaudhuri, Head of Football Intelligence at 21st Club, to present their arguments... Where did the law come from, is it fair, and what if two teams have the same home ground?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How has the new goal kick rule changed the game?
February 19, 2020 05:00 - 32 minutesDoes it really make sense to play out from the back or are you better off hoofing it down the field? The Athletic's new Football Analytics writer, Tom Worville, joins Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell to explore the impact of the latest changes to the goal-kick rule... The trio assess the risks and the rewards of shorter goal kicks, how the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and even Burnley have exploited it, plus, Michael's suggestions for even more rule changes! Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Can PSG & THE FANTASTIC 4 win the Champions League?
February 12, 2020 05:00 - 35 minutes1. Why do they keep coming up short? - 3:30 2. Tuchel vs Emery - 11:30 3. Neymar and Les 4 Fantastiques! - 15:30 4. Cavani the outcast - 16:30 5. The importance of Idrissa Gueye - 23:40 6. The Dortmund threat - 28:30 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Arteta has changed Arsenal
February 05, 2020 05:00 - 39 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell analyse the key tactical features of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal so far during his first 10 games in charge - looking at the way he's used the players at his disposal, to what extent he's mirrored the approach of Pep Guardiola, and whether what we've seen so far could tell us much about what his team might look like next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Makelele Role
January 29, 2020 08:41 - 36 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Liam Twomey join Ali Maxwell to reflect upon the career of a player so good they named a position after him - Claude Makelele. Why was he so good at playing defensive midfield? Did he have more to his game than just getting it and giving it? And how has his legacy in that position affected those who've played it since? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Goalscoring goalkeepers
January 22, 2020 05:00 - 40 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox, Ali Maxwell and Jack Lang take a closer look at the goalkeepers who made a career out of doing the business at the other end of the pitch. Not just popping up for the odd corner or accidentally knocking in a long goal-kick but those - and there are quite a few - who have genuinely played an attacking role for their teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Assessing Frank Lampard's tactical nous
January 15, 2020 05:00 - 40 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by our Chelsea writer Liam Twomey to analyse the tactical approach Frank Lampard has taken so far in his inaugural season as a Premier League manager, with a particular focus on how he has tackled the games against the other 'top 6 teams' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harry Kane’s evolution and how Spurs cope without him
January 08, 2020 05:00 - 42 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox and Ali Maxwell are joined by our Spurs writer Charlie Eccleshare for an in-depth look at Harry Kane and how his game has changed in the years since his breakthrough in 2014, and we also assess the tactical options at Jose Mourinho's disposal after Kane's torn hamstring looks set to keep him out for a lengthy spell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rafa Benitez on why Colombia's Francisco Maturana is his hero
December 24, 2019 06:30 - 49 minutesRafa Benitez once cited the relatively little-known Colombian coach Francisco Maturana as one of his biggest influences, but who is he and what's his story? The Athletic's Michael Cox is joined by Rafa Benitez himself and Colombian football writer Carl Worswick to delve into Maturana's fascinating career. It's a story that takes in triumphs, tragedies, and many colorful characters from Colombia's footballing past along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How did the 7-1 affect Brazilian football?
December 18, 2019 06:30 - 42 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell are joined by The Athletic's Brazilian football writer Jack Lang to examine how the 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final affected Brazilian football; breaking down the details of the match itself, how the nation coped with the aftermath, and how the team have rebuilt since. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The tactical evolution of Jurgen Klopp
December 11, 2019 06:30 - 37 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox and Ali Maxwell are joined by The Athletic's resident German football writer Raphael Honigstein for a look at the managerial career of Jurgen Klopp and how his tactics & philosophy have evolved from his days conquering the Bundesliga with Dortmund to his current outstanding Liverpool team. Zonal Marking is a podcast where The Athletic’s Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell break down the tactical & technical details of football past & present, focusing on a single subject each...
Is Ljungberg the answer for Arsenal?
December 04, 2019 07:27 - 31 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox and Ali Maxwell are joined by Swedish football journalist Frida Fagerlund for an in-depth look at both the playing and coaching career of interim Arsenal head coach Freddie Ljungberg, as they attempt to work out whether he's got what it takes to land the Arsenal job full-time Zonal Marking is a podcast where The Athletic’s Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell break down the tactical & technical details of football past & present, focusing on a single subject each episode with ...
Is Jose Mourinho actually a defensive manager?
November 26, 2019 05:55 - 44 minutesThe Athletic's Michael Cox, Ali Maxwell and Liam Twomey examine Jose Mourinho's career from Porto, through Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, right up to Man Utd, with a particular emphasis on how his style of play has evolved over the years and what that might tell us about how his Spurs reign will pan out. Zonal Marking is a podcast where The Athletic’s Michael Cox & Ali Maxwell break down the tactical & technical details of football past & present, focusing on a single subject each episode with ...
Zonal Marking - Trailer
November 19, 2019 19:10 - 1 minuteSubscribe to The Athletic using the special promo code UKPOD and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices