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 Real Madrid to a close.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte could be about to win the Scudetto with a third Italian club… potentially adding Napoli to his successes with Juventus and Internazionale.

Broadly speaking, Ancelotti has been more successful in European competitions — with Conte having a better success rate bringing home the domestic bacon.

But is there something in their tactical philosophies that has caused this? That’s what we talk about in this episode.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme.

Producer: Steve Hankey.

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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 Arsenal.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 thriller against Inter.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey and Thom Harris

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Bailey

With: Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 want more on Inter, listen here - https://pod.fo/e/2296a4 

For our bonus PSG episode, listen here - https://pod.fo/e/2c3d48

Or watch here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB5AzIuR_cU 

For a bit on Barcelona, listen here - https://pod.fo/e/27b242 

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Liam Tharme, Mark Carey, Thom Harris and Michael Cox.

Producer: Steve Hankey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re focusing on French footballing identity.

And we’ll attempt to discover why there is a lack of French managers across Europe’s top leagues.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Tom Williams

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus edition of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast - Alex Barker and Liam Tharme tell you all you need to know about Luis Enrique’s PSG.

They’ve just wrapped up Ligue 1 and could become the first side to win the title unbeaten.

They’re also in the final of the Coupe de France and face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this week.

So how has Enrique made them so dominant?

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This week… we’re talking about Nuno Espirito Santo’s Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest.

We’ll break down how a team who flirted with relegation last season have become one of the most difficult sides to play against in the division. 

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re focusing our attention on the metrics which win you football matches - other than goals and assists.

We’ll talk second balls, duels and explain what coaches are actually watching on those tiny screens on the touchline.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

We want to hear about your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a short survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers

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In this episode, we’re focusing our attention on international football.

German head coach Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first games as England manager this week. 

So we’re going to reflect on some of the great, and not so great, examples of foreign international managers and ask whether the impact they had in the past still applies today?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Duncan Alexander.

Producer: Steve Hankey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.