Joel Parker
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joelparker.bsky.social
Joel Parker
@joelparker.bsky.social
Football Tactics Writer for BetweenThePosts.net. Napoli and Everton sufferer.

https://betweentheposts.net/author/joelparker/
Reposted by Joel Parker
📈 Slot tries to revamp Liverpool momentum
🔄 Positional rotations in PSG’s circuit
🇫🇷 Dembouz deeper
💥 Transitional warfare favours PSG
♦️ Liverpool’s free man vs 4-1-4-1
⚡️Enrique subs spark late energy

@joelparker.bsky.social on a action-packed 2nd leg.

betweentheposts.net/liverpool-pa...
Liverpool – Paris Saint-Germain: Enrique Withdraws Maximum Winnings From The Slot Machine (0-1, 1-4 After Penalties)
Over three hours of football could not split the league leaders of England and France, only for an Italian to make all the difference. Gianluigi Donnarumma denied two penalties as Paris Saint-Germain ...
betweentheposts.net
March 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
(Thread) For the second week, Real Madrid burned through City’s block but in a slightly different way:

- FB dribbles inside, takes out pressing winger.
- CM adaptations: one pivot jumps up from between CBs, the other moves to take away closest City CM.
- 2v1 far side on switch.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
A look back at Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Bayern Munich

Explores:
- M2M vs M2M OOP approaches
- Progression tactics
- Leverkusen’s left-side
- Wirtz
- 2nd Balls & Rest Defence

Read for free: betweentheposts.net/bayer-leverk...

@betweentheposts.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Another thrilling Derby d’Italia, defined by Juve’s OOP being worked out before Motta changed at HT. The original arrangement:

- Passive 4141, very narrow with inward press from wingers.
- Koop double marking Martínez/Mkhi, Gatti jumps, Thuram zonal.
- Trap inside to target Martínez.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Lazio - Napoli analysis now up, I discuss:

- Conte reverts back three.
- Lazio buildup finds space, CMs in d line -> dropping forwards vs isolated Lobotka.
- Passive play, Napoli can’t build + 532
- Right side snaps into action.
- Predictable final mins.

betweentheposts.net/lazio-napoli...
Lazio – Napoli: Another Lead Lost By Conte’s Conservatism (2-2)
For the second time at the Stadio Olimpico this season, Napoli went into the final minutes with a lead intact despite an unflattering performance attached to it. Once again, they would drop valuable p...
betweentheposts.net
February 16, 2025 at 11:09 AM
(FREE) Man City - Real Madrid tactical breakdown, I discuss:

- RM exits down the left (Ceballos, Jude rotation.)
- Gvardiol makes the same run.
- Why was City’s 2-3-4-1 so unproductive?
- Bellingham adapts in 2nd half -> more ways forward.
- Going brrrr.

ttx

betweentheposts.net/manchester-c...
Manchester City – Real Madrid: Carlo Casts Pep’s Raised Eyebrow Away (2-3)
Having met each of the past four seasons, matchups between Manchester City and Real Madrid have been dictated by Pep Guardiola’s meticulous game planning or Carlo Ancelotti’s raised eyebrow (or the po...
betweentheposts.net
February 12, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Sure the goal was amazing, but the Leyton Orient OOP is the true highlight here. Lines are so short-distanced that they merge into one big red wall and force City to go much longer.
February 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Baroni’s decision not to start Rovella had big repercussions vs Fiorentina:

- Fiorentina switch to single pivot in def. third.
- Lazio 442 press, staggered STs (one to press, one to cover DM).
- Guðmundsson drops to create 2v1 (Dia too far, Dele-Bashiru does not shift.)
January 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
🆕ttx | Bournemouth's 5-0 win v Forest should come as little surprise to anyone who's followed the Cherries' progress under Andoni Iraola.

In my latest piece for BBC Sport, I broke down how Iraola has made them so good with his structured chaos.

www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Bournemouth under Iraola: Why have the Cherries been so good this season?
With Bournemouth challenging for a top-four place in the Premier League this season, BBC Sport analyses how the Cherries are doing it.
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Your Sunday dose of tattiche del calcio comes from Napoli - Juve, I analyse:

- Juve’s press (González cover shadow + traps.)
- McTominay the solution.
- Frantic game, Juve combines (GK -> third-man wide run.)
- Di Lorenzo inversion = Napoli CMs in box.

ttx

betweentheposts.net/napoli-juven...
Napoli – Juventus: Zambo, The Neapolitan Rambo (2-1)
In a frantic game, Napoli went into half-time a goal down and short of shooting answers. The second period saw their strengths come to the forefront, physical midfielders crashing into the box to prov...
betweentheposts.net
January 26, 2025 at 10:25 AM
(thread) PSG are an interesting case. A very young team without any central methods to make progress but they showcased how easy it was to cook City down the channels:

- Ruiz drops to receive, third man run forwards.
- Lee back to Hakimi, Gvardiol committed, Savinho inactive round ball.

ttx
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool match report & tactical analysis

Explores:
- Forest’s central ‘weakness or accepted allowance’
+ Box defending, recovery lines & far-post cover
- Slot’s subtle (& effective) HT tweak reconfigured their 4v3 overload

Read: betweentheposts.net/nottingham-f...
January 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
(FREE) Atalanta - Juve analysis is up, I discuss:

- Unusual alterations.
- Juve’s medium block vs early Atalanta control, CMs heavy work to cover pressing trigger.
- Juve works Atalanta’s kryptonite.
- Gasp calls for his cheat codes off the bench.

ttx

betweentheposts.net/atalanta-ber...
Atalanta Bergamo – Juventus: La Dea Delt Another Stutter (1-1)
Beneath the surface of Atalanta Bergamo’s fantastic form, they were just getting over the line towards the end of their winning streak. Two draws in a row were coming, but a victory before they faced ...
betweentheposts.net
January 15, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Bologna - Roma analysis is now up, I discuss:

- Bologna’s 4231/424 press matches up against Roma deep build.
- Svilar utilized as free man -> a game in limbo.
- Bologna produce same beats, but different rhythm to last season.
- Goals mask a dull game.

betweentheposts.net/bologna-as-r...
Bologna – AS Roma: Limitations Linger From European Outfits (2-2)
Although both Bologna and AS Roma still have European fixtures on their calendars, their meeting in Northern Italy was more about the limitations that have grown into their game plans, from the origin...
betweentheposts.net
January 12, 2025 at 10:44 PM
(FREE) Fiorentina - Napoli analysis is up, I discuss:

- CMs pressing FBs.
- Napoli circulate around Palladino’s 5-2-1-2.
- Conte finally crafts his goal.
- Napoli could still press out onto Fiorentina build.
- Palladino switches, but damage is done.

(ttx)

betweentheposts.net/fiorentina-n...
Fiorentina – Napoli: Center-Midfielders Tracking Fullbacks Puts Strain On Palladino’s Plans (0-3)
With the other contenders battling out in Riyad, Napoli had a tricky away game in Florence to contend with. Though Fiorentina posed early problems, issues in their defensive block gave Napoli access a...
betweentheposts.net
January 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Everton have the lowest average possession in the Premier League but are also the worst at counter-attacking. It's a problem that needs addressing this month. Latest article for Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/jamesn...
Everton Stats Show Desperate Need For Counter-Attack Improvement
Everton has struggled to find the net this season and a combination of low possession numbers and poor counter-attacking play needs to be remedied soon.
www.forbes.com
January 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Inter - Atalanta analysis is up, I discuss:

- Direct Inter play (9 shots in 25 mins)
- Atalanta nullifies the game -> passive man-marking tracks Inter rotations (De Roon duel role.)
- Samardžić false nine.
- Inter finds the left halfspace in 2nd half.

ttx

betweentheposts.net/internaziona...
Internazionale – Atalanta Bergamo: Snakes Still Tight Around The Goddess Neck (2-0)
The Super Cup may not affect the Serie A standings, but Atalanta Bergamo needed to prove they could kick a poor record against Internazionale, especially when competing against the Scudetto holders. I...
betweentheposts.net
January 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Villa - Man City analysis is up, @joelparker.bsky.social discusses:

- City fragility in defensive transition.
- Emery brings the mid block: two CMs occupy City halfspace runners.
- Switch to Grealish bears no fruit.
- Spaces open for Rogers to flourish.

betweentheposts.net/aston-villa-...
Aston Villa – Manchester City: No End In Sight To Pep’s Predicament (2-1)
Manchester City continued their drastic slump in form, with no solutions in sight, as Aston Villa easily found routes through. As Unai Emery brought his trademark medium block, spaces for Morgan Roger...
betweentheposts.net
December 21, 2024 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
🆕 Delighted to share my first piece for BBC Sport - I take a look at Arne Slot's Liverpool and the tactical tweaks he has made since Jürgen Klopp. ⚽🔴 ttx

www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Arne Slot: How Liverpool boss has changed Reds since Jurgen Klopp
BBC Sport takes a closer look at some of Liverpool's more subtle tactical tweaks since Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp.
www.bbc.com
December 18, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Joel Parker
It’s Monday and so you know the drill. We’ve got time for one final noticing before Christmas...

And I thought I would do something a bit different because I wanted to talk about how Man City kept Amad Diallo quiet in the Manchester derby... until they didn't... [thread]
December 16, 2024 at 5:49 PM
(Thread) A balanced game, until Inter cooked Lazio vs their high-to-mid block:

- Man orientated first line: Noslin + Pedro split on CBs, one CM pushed up to Inter pivot, other CM covers zone in front of Lazio CBs.
- Narrow wingers block lane to wide CMs.
- Jumpers onto WBs.
December 16, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Everton set up today to try and conquer this wide right space that Ødegaard loves to drop into and drive through, which we are often able to access by overloading the 1st phase to attract a higher position from the near-sided wide midfielder while Saka pins the FB/WB.
December 15, 2024 at 12:19 AM
Udinese - Napoli analysis is up, I discuss:

- Direct meets direct (Napoli try to find wingers early, Udinese runners around Lucca.)
- Napoli buildup issues, no left side dynamics, no central progression.
- More support -> improved dynamics.

betweentheposts.net/udinese-napo...
Udinese – Napoli: Is A Third Champion For Conte A Credible Ambition? (1-3)
In the long history of Italian football, no coach has won the Scudetto with three different clubs. On the grounds where Napoli won their last, they struggled to show elements that could take them towa...
betweentheposts.net
December 15, 2024 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Want to keep up my scouting thread on here too, so I'm gonna reshare them here. Some needed re-uploading anyway, so all are available on my sub now.

Some were for my own blog/sub but plenty were for @scoutedftbl.bsky.social who I want to shout at the top instead of incessantly tagging.

🧵
December 12, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Joel Parker
Hi,

Apologies for having to do this once again, but sadly things are still really tight for myself financially while I continue to look for full time work. Idk how much longer I can continue freelancing, so any help in the meantime would be extremely appreciated 🫡

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December 10, 2024 at 6:14 PM