The year John Stones had the most amount of successful dribbles in a Champions League Final since Lionel Messi, 2023 was a year for the ages.

From Gateshead to Nice the universal search for control took on a new level and has appeared in many shapes and forms.

Box midfields, hybrid pressing are on the menu today as we go through some of the tactical innovations and setups which have caught our eye.

Liam Tharme joins me to dissect the past year and cast an eye as to what maybe on the horizon for 2024.

Listen to find out more including;

- Roberto De Zerbi and the principles of play in his Brighton side.

- The many different iterations of the box midfield.

- Manchester City's evolution out of possession on their way to a historic treble.

- Hybrid pressing and why it is more important than ever?

- Girona, Nice, Leverkusen - the year of the underdog?

- What to keep an eye out for in 2024?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:49 - Brighton

05:50 - 12:46 - Box Midfield

12:47 - 16:51 - Clash of Styles

16:52 - 21:59 - Man City

22:00 - 28:56 - Hybrid Pressing

28:57 - 35:05 - Nice

35:06 - 37:11 - Leverkusen

37:12 - 44:07 - 2024

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