ACHRAF
@lamdarhriachraf.bsky.social
✍️ Football Writer focusing mainly on Tactical Analysis BetweenThePosts.net. Most Importantly Philosophy Lover.
Founder of The Inside Channel Blog 👇.
https://lamdarhri.substack.com/
Founder of The Inside Channel Blog 👇.
https://lamdarhri.substack.com/
Pinned
ACHRAF
@lamdarhriachraf.bsky.social
· Jan 3
Real Madrid: A Mixed Bag
On Real Madrid struggles after November international break, the good things and bad things, the fluctuation between lows and downs, efficiencies and deficiencies.
open.substack.com
Real Madrid: A mixed bag.
My biggest Newsletter.
On Real Madrid OOP issues (lane coverage, hybrid press, low block shambles), buildup vs man-oriented and hybrid presses, outswinging corners, attacking medium and low blocks (problems and solutions), and more.
open.substack.com/pub/lamdarhr...
My biggest Newsletter.
On Real Madrid OOP issues (lane coverage, hybrid press, low block shambles), buildup vs man-oriented and hybrid presses, outswinging corners, attacking medium and low blocks (problems and solutions), and more.
open.substack.com/pub/lamdarhr...
It was obvious against Tottenham that Mbeumo found it a bit hard when it comes to first touch passes, lay-offs, and controlling the ball in traffic (BTLs) which led to miscontrols, attacks delay, etc
February 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM
It was obvious against Tottenham that Mbeumo found it a bit hard when it comes to first touch passes, lay-offs, and controlling the ball in traffic (BTLs) which led to miscontrols, attacks delay, etc
HOWEVER, the direction Carrick drives Manchester United to by relying on central combinations, close proximity, first touches passes, etc suits more someone like Zirkzee.
February 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM
HOWEVER, the direction Carrick drives Manchester United to by relying on central combinations, close proximity, first touches passes, etc suits more someone like Zirkzee.
Using Bryan Mbeumo as a false nine is good given how often he attacks the space in behind, exploit the defenders blindsides, transitional threat, and I think is more reliable than the likes of Sesko & Zirkzee at this point.
February 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Using Bryan Mbeumo as a false nine is good given how often he attacks the space in behind, exploit the defenders blindsides, transitional threat, and I think is more reliable than the likes of Sesko & Zirkzee at this point.
...and pass it from first-time touch to Bruno.
Also, the diagonal distribution of Bruno and Mbeumo allows Cunha to find both and exploit Tottenham's gaps across the backline.
Also, the diagonal distribution of Bruno and Mbeumo allows Cunha to find both and exploit Tottenham's gaps across the backline.
February 10, 2026 at 2:04 PM
...and pass it from first-time touch to Bruno.
Also, the diagonal distribution of Bruno and Mbeumo allows Cunha to find both and exploit Tottenham's gaps across the backline.
Also, the diagonal distribution of Bruno and Mbeumo allows Cunha to find both and exploit Tottenham's gaps across the backline.
Half-turn receiving enables first-time touches to keep the ball rolling diagonally.
Xavi Simons lateral shifting is ineffective, plus Tottenham's lines are broken down in both directions.
Cunha, in a big space, only has to adjust his body stance and make it parallel to the ball's path...
Xavi Simons lateral shifting is ineffective, plus Tottenham's lines are broken down in both directions.
Cunha, in a big space, only has to adjust his body stance and make it parallel to the ball's path...
February 10, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Half-turn receiving enables first-time touches to keep the ball rolling diagonally.
Xavi Simons lateral shifting is ineffective, plus Tottenham's lines are broken down in both directions.
Cunha, in a big space, only has to adjust his body stance and make it parallel to the ball's path...
Xavi Simons lateral shifting is ineffective, plus Tottenham's lines are broken down in both directions.
Cunha, in a big space, only has to adjust his body stance and make it parallel to the ball's path...
Manchester United (Michael Carrick) diagonality.
The majority of the players are on the half-turn to receive.
Diagonal passes from Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Cunha break down the orthogonal low block of Tottenham.
Casemiro, Cunha, and Bruno take places between the gaps.
The majority of the players are on the half-turn to receive.
Diagonal passes from Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Cunha break down the orthogonal low block of Tottenham.
Casemiro, Cunha, and Bruno take places between the gaps.
February 10, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Manchester United (Michael Carrick) diagonality.
The majority of the players are on the half-turn to receive.
Diagonal passes from Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Cunha break down the orthogonal low block of Tottenham.
Casemiro, Cunha, and Bruno take places between the gaps.
The majority of the players are on the half-turn to receive.
Diagonal passes from Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Cunha break down the orthogonal low block of Tottenham.
Casemiro, Cunha, and Bruno take places between the gaps.
Committing another late runner between Van Dijk & Konaté, for example, Semenyo, when he's central, would be a good alternative IMO.
February 8, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Committing another late runner between Van Dijk & Konaté, for example, Semenyo, when he's central, would be a good alternative IMO.
I really like Haaland pinning Van Dijk and pulling him wide.
It expands the distance between Van Dijk & Konaté for any potential pass in behind for Marmoush, who enjoys the diagonal runs (Konaté blindside) between Szoboszlai & Konaté.
It expands the distance between Van Dijk & Konaté for any potential pass in behind for Marmoush, who enjoys the diagonal runs (Konaté blindside) between Szoboszlai & Konaté.
February 8, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I really like Haaland pinning Van Dijk and pulling him wide.
It expands the distance between Van Dijk & Konaté for any potential pass in behind for Marmoush, who enjoys the diagonal runs (Konaté blindside) between Szoboszlai & Konaté.
It expands the distance between Van Dijk & Konaté for any potential pass in behind for Marmoush, who enjoys the diagonal runs (Konaté blindside) between Szoboszlai & Konaté.
Also, the body orientation of Casemiro (Diagonality affordance) enables him to let the ball run diagonally across his body and flick it on to Mbeumo.
If Mbeumo here released the layoff accurately to Cunha, Luke Shaw would swim freely in space on the left side.
If Mbeumo here released the layoff accurately to Cunha, Luke Shaw would swim freely in space on the left side.
February 7, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Also, the body orientation of Casemiro (Diagonality affordance) enables him to let the ball run diagonally across his body and flick it on to Mbeumo.
If Mbeumo here released the layoff accurately to Cunha, Luke Shaw would swim freely in space on the left side.
If Mbeumo here released the layoff accurately to Cunha, Luke Shaw would swim freely in space on the left side.
Diagonal passes are one of the most efficient tools to exploit a team shuffling their blocks across.
Here, Manchester United Escadinhas (staircase) allows a smooth diagonal passing circulation between Dalot, Casemiro & Mbeumo.
Here, Manchester United Escadinhas (staircase) allows a smooth diagonal passing circulation between Dalot, Casemiro & Mbeumo.
February 7, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Diagonal passes are one of the most efficient tools to exploit a team shuffling their blocks across.
Here, Manchester United Escadinhas (staircase) allows a smooth diagonal passing circulation between Dalot, Casemiro & Mbeumo.
Here, Manchester United Escadinhas (staircase) allows a smooth diagonal passing circulation between Dalot, Casemiro & Mbeumo.
Tottenham found solutions vs Man Utd high press before the red card.
February 7, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Tottenham found solutions vs Man Utd high press before the red card.
There is so much emphasis on central penetration initiated by Lisandro Martinez line breakers.
They enable Manchester United to access the space BTLs for Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno to thread passes.
However, Man Utd takes some average quality decisions and shots IMO.
They enable Manchester United to access the space BTLs for Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno to thread passes.
However, Man Utd takes some average quality decisions and shots IMO.
February 7, 2026 at 2:08 PM
There is so much emphasis on central penetration initiated by Lisandro Martinez line breakers.
They enable Manchester United to access the space BTLs for Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno to thread passes.
However, Man Utd takes some average quality decisions and shots IMO.
They enable Manchester United to access the space BTLs for Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno to thread passes.
However, Man Utd takes some average quality decisions and shots IMO.
The positional fluidity of Manchester United help the team to find inroads either via long passes in space & in 1v1 situations (Mbeumo or Diallo vs one of the defenders)
Also, Bruno position around Tottenham midfield (wide) & Amad Diallo tucking inside enabled the out-in passes.
Also, Bruno position around Tottenham midfield (wide) & Amad Diallo tucking inside enabled the out-in passes.
February 7, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The positional fluidity of Manchester United help the team to find inroads either via long passes in space & in 1v1 situations (Mbeumo or Diallo vs one of the defenders)
Also, Bruno position around Tottenham midfield (wide) & Amad Diallo tucking inside enabled the out-in passes.
Also, Bruno position around Tottenham midfield (wide) & Amad Diallo tucking inside enabled the out-in passes.
Ayden Heaven is a good replacement for Lisandro Martinez.
Eric Ten Hag played Luke Shaw in the LCB spot, but he cannot be the only option to replace Lisandro.
Marcos Senesi is a good one since his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Eric Ten Hag played Luke Shaw in the LCB spot, but he cannot be the only option to replace Lisandro.
Marcos Senesi is a good one since his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
February 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Ayden Heaven is a good replacement for Lisandro Martinez.
Eric Ten Hag played Luke Shaw in the LCB spot, but he cannot be the only option to replace Lisandro.
Marcos Senesi is a good one since his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Eric Ten Hag played Luke Shaw in the LCB spot, but he cannot be the only option to replace Lisandro.
Marcos Senesi is a good one since his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Manchester United players On Ball Value.
I want to focus more on Lisandro Martinez.
I don't think Man Utd could perform the same way when he's not available in deep buildup or in settled play.
Line breakers, long & medium range passing & cunning to evade pressure.
I want to focus more on Lisandro Martinez.
I don't think Man Utd could perform the same way when he's not available in deep buildup or in settled play.
Line breakers, long & medium range passing & cunning to evade pressure.
February 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Manchester United players On Ball Value.
I want to focus more on Lisandro Martinez.
I don't think Man Utd could perform the same way when he's not available in deep buildup or in settled play.
Line breakers, long & medium range passing & cunning to evade pressure.
I want to focus more on Lisandro Martinez.
I don't think Man Utd could perform the same way when he's not available in deep buildup or in settled play.
Line breakers, long & medium range passing & cunning to evade pressure.
Real Madrid’s Flawed Diamond
Real Madrid’s ‘kind of press’ is suicidal.
www.managingmadrid.com/formations-a...
Real Madrid’s ‘kind of press’ is suicidal.
www.managingmadrid.com/formations-a...
Real Madrid’s Flawed Diamond
Real Madrid’s ‘kind of press’ is suicidal.
www.managingmadrid.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Real Madrid’s Flawed Diamond
Real Madrid’s ‘kind of press’ is suicidal.
www.managingmadrid.com/formations-a...
Real Madrid’s ‘kind of press’ is suicidal.
www.managingmadrid.com/formations-a...
...he accelerates in a curved line.
Saka jogging across to hug the touchlines & Saliba pass (a bit toward the inside) put Saka in a situation where he has to accelerate his momentum, change his direction from going backward to pouncing forward in a very short period of time.
Saka jogging across to hug the touchlines & Saliba pass (a bit toward the inside) put Saka in a situation where he has to accelerate his momentum, change his direction from going backward to pouncing forward in a very short period of time.
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
...he accelerates in a curved line.
Saka jogging across to hug the touchlines & Saliba pass (a bit toward the inside) put Saka in a situation where he has to accelerate his momentum, change his direction from going backward to pouncing forward in a very short period of time.
Saka jogging across to hug the touchlines & Saliba pass (a bit toward the inside) put Saka in a situation where he has to accelerate his momentum, change his direction from going backward to pouncing forward in a very short period of time.
Then, he plants his right foot to give him a forward (across) momentum to intercept the pass. All that happened in the moment of pass release.
In this scene, Shaw started to jog across as Arsenal worked the ball around to Saliba.
Then, as the pass is on its way to Saka...
In this scene, Shaw started to jog across as Arsenal worked the ball around to Saliba.
Then, as the pass is on its way to Saka...
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Then, he plants his right foot to give him a forward (across) momentum to intercept the pass. All that happened in the moment of pass release.
In this scene, Shaw started to jog across as Arsenal worked the ball around to Saliba.
Then, as the pass is on its way to Saka...
In this scene, Shaw started to jog across as Arsenal worked the ball around to Saliba.
Then, as the pass is on its way to Saka...
Similar here, Saka drops & Timber advances, which encourages Shaw to step up & Dorgu to drop out.
The gap is generated between Lisandro and Dorgu for Timber to punish.
However, Luke Shaw prevents that by slowly leaning across as Saliba carries forward.
The gap is generated between Lisandro and Dorgu for Timber to punish.
However, Luke Shaw prevents that by slowly leaning across as Saliba carries forward.
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Similar here, Saka drops & Timber advances, which encourages Shaw to step up & Dorgu to drop out.
The gap is generated between Lisandro and Dorgu for Timber to punish.
However, Luke Shaw prevents that by slowly leaning across as Saliba carries forward.
The gap is generated between Lisandro and Dorgu for Timber to punish.
However, Luke Shaw prevents that by slowly leaning across as Saliba carries forward.
As Jesus prepares his pass, Shaw gradually leans toward Timber.
A strong left foot planting in the ground gives Luke Shaw the power to go laterally and establish contact with the ball before Timber does.
A strong left foot planting in the ground gives Luke Shaw the power to go laterally and establish contact with the ball before Timber does.
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
As Jesus prepares his pass, Shaw gradually leans toward Timber.
A strong left foot planting in the ground gives Luke Shaw the power to go laterally and establish contact with the ball before Timber does.
A strong left foot planting in the ground gives Luke Shaw the power to go laterally and establish contact with the ball before Timber does.
Here, Luke Shaw adopts a side-on stance, inside body orientation, & take an optimal position between Saka & Timber.
It enables him to jump in both directions.
Gabriel Jesus being square reveals his intentions to find Timber.
It enables him to jump in both directions.
Gabriel Jesus being square reveals his intentions to find Timber.
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Here, Luke Shaw adopts a side-on stance, inside body orientation, & take an optimal position between Saka & Timber.
It enables him to jump in both directions.
Gabriel Jesus being square reveals his intentions to find Timber.
It enables him to jump in both directions.
Gabriel Jesus being square reveals his intentions to find Timber.
I think Luke Shaw stood out against Arsenal in terms of anticipation, being proactive, and good reading of the situation to defend Arsenal's channel balls.
By stretching the width of the pitch, Arsenal tended to expand the space between CB & FB to slide passes into a runner.
By stretching the width of the pitch, Arsenal tended to expand the space between CB & FB to slide passes into a runner.
February 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM
I think Luke Shaw stood out against Arsenal in terms of anticipation, being proactive, and good reading of the situation to defend Arsenal's channel balls.
By stretching the width of the pitch, Arsenal tended to expand the space between CB & FB to slide passes into a runner.
By stretching the width of the pitch, Arsenal tended to expand the space between CB & FB to slide passes into a runner.
Elche - Barcelona analysis is up:
—Barca baits Elche man-oriented press to hit the space behind;
—Barca off-ball movements & diagonal combinations;
—Elche overloads & late runners to break down Barca highline & offside trap;
—Clash of direct Attacks;
betweentheposts.net/elche-barcel...
—Barca baits Elche man-oriented press to hit the space behind;
—Barca off-ball movements & diagonal combinations;
—Elche overloads & late runners to break down Barca highline & offside trap;
—Clash of direct Attacks;
betweentheposts.net/elche-barcel...
Elche – Barcelona: A Clash Of Direct Attacks (1-3) - Between The Posts
In a battle of direct attacks, Barcelona came out victorious to maintain La Liga's lead. Baiting, off-ball movements, and diagonal combinations paved the road for the Catalans to create an unprecedent...
betweentheposts.net
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Elche - Barcelona analysis is up:
—Barca baits Elche man-oriented press to hit the space behind;
—Barca off-ball movements & diagonal combinations;
—Elche overloads & late runners to break down Barca highline & offside trap;
—Clash of direct Attacks;
betweentheposts.net/elche-barcel...
—Barca baits Elche man-oriented press to hit the space behind;
—Barca off-ball movements & diagonal combinations;
—Elche overloads & late runners to break down Barca highline & offside trap;
—Clash of direct Attacks;
betweentheposts.net/elche-barcel...
You just have to give credit to what Bernardo Silva provides.
One of the most intelligent players out there, versatile, offers solutions in the buildup & progression & can retain the ball under pressure.
OOP, he doesn't stop running, aware of angles to block off passing lanes.
One of the most intelligent players out there, versatile, offers solutions in the buildup & progression & can retain the ball under pressure.
OOP, he doesn't stop running, aware of angles to block off passing lanes.
February 1, 2026 at 6:18 PM
You just have to give credit to what Bernardo Silva provides.
One of the most intelligent players out there, versatile, offers solutions in the buildup & progression & can retain the ball under pressure.
OOP, he doesn't stop running, aware of angles to block off passing lanes.
One of the most intelligent players out there, versatile, offers solutions in the buildup & progression & can retain the ball under pressure.
OOP, he doesn't stop running, aware of angles to block off passing lanes.
I like how Zubimendi often wins his aerial duels by quickly reading the situation and anticipating a win on the first contact with the ball.
When he needs to jump, he has the power that gives him that height and momentum on the leap.
No wonder Arteta (Jover) put in the box.
When he needs to jump, he has the power that gives him that height and momentum on the leap.
No wonder Arteta (Jover) put in the box.
January 31, 2026 at 3:59 PM
I like how Zubimendi often wins his aerial duels by quickly reading the situation and anticipating a win on the first contact with the ball.
When he needs to jump, he has the power that gives him that height and momentum on the leap.
No wonder Arteta (Jover) put in the box.
When he needs to jump, he has the power that gives him that height and momentum on the leap.
No wonder Arteta (Jover) put in the box.