The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
@tacticspod.bsky.social
The Athletic's tactics writers break down the details behind the biggest footballing stories each week. @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & more! Email: tacticspod@theathletic.com
WORLD CUP PREVIEW PODS 🚨 First, the World Cup's most tactically interesting sides: pod.fo/e/427e49 And a deep dive on Canada: pod.fo/e/42bb06 Enjoy!
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: The World Cup's most tactically interesting teams
With the World Cup right around the corner, we’re discussing the most tactically interesting teams at this summer’s tournament.Plus, we’ll assess how the favourites are looking — and… how...
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NEW POD! 🚨 Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City - so how has he changed the Premier League across 10 trophy-laden years? With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @thom-harris.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/41ba1e
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Pep Guardiola transformed the Premier League
Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer after 10 trophy-laden years.So how did he change the landscape of Premier League tactics? And what comes next for Man City?Host: Michael Bailey...
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NEW POST 🚨 Alternative Team of the Season time! With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/415cf7
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Alternative Team of the Season
It’s that time of the year, already — our very special alternative Premier League Team of the Season.Who has impressed us from the sides in the bottom half of the table?Host: Michael BaileyGues...
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NEW POD 🚨 It's Champions League semi-final review time. We discuss Arsenal’s defensive solidity, to the most complete side in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain. @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/410252
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: PSG’s brilliance & Arsenal’s immense defence
This week, we’re reviewing a compelling set of Champions League semi-finals.From Arsenal’s defensive solidity, to the most complete side in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain. Host: Michael BaileyGue...
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NEW POD! With only five players across Europe’s top five leagues on 20 goals or more... We're asking... where have all the goalscorers gone? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social pod.fo/e/40aaf3
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Where have all the goalscorers gone?
With only five players across Europe’s top five leagues on 20 goals or more.Today we’re asking: where have all the goalscorers gone?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Th...
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NEW POD! 🚨 This week's show is all about Bruno Fernandes and the Premier League record for most assists in a season. So what’s the secret behind the Manchester United midfielder's creative genius? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/405283
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Bruno Fernandes: Creative genius
Bruno Fernandes is on the cusp of breaking the Premier League record for most assists in a single season. So why hasn’t the record been beaten in more than 20 years?And what’s the secret behin...
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NEW POD 🚨 This week we're talking all things attack. Who does it best, and do attackers all need to defend? With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social pod.fo/e/3fa3a2
Who has the best attack in Europe?
Podcast Episode · The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast · April 9 · 34m
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NEW POD! 🚨 This week, we're talking all things midfield combinations. How do you build a complete midfield? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social have the answers! pod.fo/e/3ead58
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Man United & England: How to build a complete midfield
This week, we’re discussing midfield combinations.From your creators, to destroyers; how do player roles complement each other?Let’s build a complete midfield!Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michae...
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NEW POD! 🚨 What impact is football’s relentless schedule having on players and matches? With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/3c24c0
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: The impact of football’s relentless schedule
This week, we’re discussing football’s relentless schedule.What impact is it having on players and matches?And… can we measure whether football is actually more intense than it used to be?Hos...
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POD 🚨 Did Premier League clubs really struggle in the Champions League Round of 16? Or not? With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/3b2736
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Have Premier League clubs really struggled in Europe?
This week, we’re discussing an enthralling round of Champions League Round of 16 ties.From Premier League struggles and Pep Guardiola’s European record, to how good Bayern Munich and Real Madri...
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NEW POD 🚨 @oilysailor.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social discuss IFAB's new football law proposals. Which ones work, which ones don't? And what new football laws would actually be a benefit to the game? pod.fo/e/39d737
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Are football's new laws overcomplicating the game?
This week, we’re discussing football’s new rules!We’ll talk the increased remit of VAR, throw-in countdowns and our own suggestions for new football laws.Host: Duncan AlexanderGuests: Michael...
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If you could introduce one new rule in football what would it be?
NEW MAILBAG IS LIVE 🚨 The team answer your questions on... Wingers, rebounded penalties, tactical fouls and much more. Get in touch with us tacticspod@theathletic.com! pod.fo/e/397c62
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: The evolution of wingers, club DNA & tactical fouls
It’s mailbag time!On this episode we’ll discuss:Wingers, penalty rebounds, tactical fouls and much more!Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Ho...
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NEW POD 🚨 Title race, relegation battle and more! With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/392a2e
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Arsenal's attacking woes & a proper relegation battle
It’s February — and we have real jeopardy in both the Premier League title race and relegation battle.So this week, we’ll discuss the tactics we have seen, and will see from the teams at the ...
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NEW POD! 🚨 The team talk tactical trends. High, low and mid-blocks. And a serious discussion on the health risks around heading. With @markcarey93.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social. pod.fo/e/38e7c5
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Premier League trends: How to break down low blocks
This week — we’re talking tactical trends… from low blocks, to headed clearances and the return of long-range screamers.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam TharmeProduce...
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NEW POD 🚨 All about the weather! ☀️ How does it impact football, tactics, play styles? 🌧️ With @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @conor-oneill.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/388f85
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A cold, windy night in Stoke: How weather impacts football
This week — we’re diving into the world of weather. How do the elements impact what happens on the pitch? From the rainy, cold and windy nights at Stoke.To the scorching heat of the 1994 Worl...
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NEW POD 🚨 Arsenal, open play goals and Premier League vs Champions League styles. @oilysailor.bsky.social @ahmed-walid.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/383752
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Does the Premier League have an open-play goal problem?
Arsenal are top of the Premier League, but only seventh for open play xG.So is that a Mikel Arteta issue - or a league-wide one?Host: Duncan AlexanderWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Ahmed WalidPr...
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NEW POD! 🚨 Does home advantage still exist in football? @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social discuss! pod.fo/e/37e770
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: No sweet home: Is 'home advantage' fading?
This week, we’re diving into the world of home and away - discussing the tactical differences between performing in front of your own fans, and taking to the road.What are the key elements to pla...
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NEW POD 🚨 A statistic (or two) for EVERY Premier League club! Enjoy! @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/379613
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: A stat for every Premier League club
We’re more than halfway through the Premier League season. So this week, we’ll use our good old friend data to assess the main talking point for all 20 clubs.Host: Duncan AlexanderWith: Michae...
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FIRST POD OF 2026! 🚨 New year, still talking about Manchester United. More specifically, caretaker managers, interim managers, and long-term planning. @zonal-marking.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social pod.fo/e/374ac7
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Man United in the short term
This week, there’s only one topic in town: Manchester United Football Club.Ruben Amorim’s gone, so how do they go about replacing him — both in the short, and long term?And how does any club ...
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NEW POD! 🚨 Today we ask - who has the most settled squad in the Premier League? With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social! pod.fo/e/3694c4
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League?
This week — we’re talking the tactics of squad rotation…Who are the most and least stable Premier League clubs in how they use their players?And does stability equal success?Host: Michael Bai...
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NEW POD 🚨 Salah, Real Madrid and star players vs the collective. With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social Enjoy! pod.fo/e/3644a2
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Has Salah actually declined?
This week — we’re talking about the tactics surrounding player power.Can stars be given total freedom, or is the collective more important?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and ...
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NEW POD 🚨 This week, we're talking positional versatility. Which players are performing well in different roles? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social & Cerys Jones discuss. pod.fo/e/35fd18
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who are the Premier League's most versatile players?
On this episode, we run through some of the high profile players to have switched positions in the Premier League recently.Also - what makes players flexible? And who excels in multiple roles?Host:...
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NEW POD! 🚨 How do managers go from small clubs to big clubs? Frank, Pochettino, Hodgson, Rodgers, Moyes, Potter, Maresca etc etc. With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/35b2ff
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Can Spurs and Frank make it work?
This week — we’re discussing how managers make the jump from a relatively small club, to one of the big guns, and with a particular focus on Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.Host: Michael Bail...
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NEW POD! 🚨 Does defence really win titles? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss! pod.fo/e/3569af
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Have Arsenal built the Premier League’s best ever defence?
This week - we’re asking if defence really wins you titles.Should you build your team around a solid defence — or a free-flowing attack?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander a...
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NEW POD 🚨 How has the defensive midfield position evolved? Who does it best? Why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals? @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social discuss. pod.fo/e/3522c8
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why are defensive midfielders scoring so many goals?
This week, we’re tackling the defensive midfield position.How has it evolved, who does it best and why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox and Mark Care...
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The use of five substitutes has had no positive impact, and probably some bad impact www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Why the five-substitute era has not been good for football
Lawmakers have completely overlooked the impact of introducing extra substitutes: it increases the tempo of the game and increases fatigue
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NEW POD 🚨 Four Premier League losses in a row — seven points shy of league leaders Arsenal after nine matches. How do Liverpool fix their tactical issues? @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social pod.fo/e/34776f
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Liverpool
The defending Premier League champions have lost four league matches in a row.So, where is it going wrong for Arne Slot’s Liverpool — and crucially, how do they fix their issues?Host: Michael B...
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Is it going to get better, or does something drastic need to change?