Podcast Episodes

How Cruyff inspired Ajax's rebirth

Welcome to Football Architects - a summer series for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast. 

Over the next five weeks, we’ll tell the stories of esteemed footballing nations and clubs, speaking to the unsun…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Are strikerless formations the future?

On this final show of the season, we’re bringing you the eagerly anticipated listener mailbag.

We’ll focus on strikerless systems, wing-backs vs full-backs and much, much more. 

Host: Michael Bailey

Wit…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

Was the 2024/25 Premier League season boring?

On this week’s show, we’re reviewing the 2024-25 season - looking at statistical trends across the Premier League. 

We’ll also focus on the teams who impressed us, and those who disappointed us. 

Host:…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Champions League final preview

In this special edition of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast - Duncan Alexander, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme preview the Champions League final between Inter and PSG.

Two teams with contrasting styles me…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Alternative team of the Premier League season 24/25

In this episode, it’s alternative team of the season time!

To remind you of the rules, instead of focusing on the top teams - we all pick an eleven with one player from each of the bottom 10 teams in …

Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Ancelotti, Conte and the tactics of Italian managers

In this episode, we’re talking Italian managers.

Specifically… Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte.

Ancelotti will be joining the Brazilian men’s national team this summer, drawing his second spell at Re…

Published on 3 months, 4 weeks ago

Arsenal’s long throws & the best knockout tie ever?

On this week’s show, we’re focused on the second legs of the Champions League semi-finals.

We’ll analyse a tie for the ages - Inter’s 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona. And also PSG’s victory against A…

Published on 4 months ago

Yamal's new heights & PSG's press

On this week’s show, we analyse the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals.

We’ll discover how PSG’s press nullified Arsenal, and discuss probably the game of the season so far — Barca’s thril…

Published on 4 months, 1 week ago

Which teams deserve Champions League football next season?

This week we’re looking at an incredibly tight race in the Premier League to seal European football for next season.

And we’ll discuss which of those teams are best set-up for success.

Host: Michael Ba…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Champions League final four

In this episode, we look back at the Champions League quarter finals. 

We also look ahead to the semi-finals and discuss the merits of Arsenal, Paris St Germain, Internazionale and Barcelona.

If you wa…

Published on 4 months, 4 weeks ago