When the rules of Association Football were first codified in the 19th century, minimal strategy was involved. Over half the players on any team were forwards, and games were high-scoring affairs ...

Hosted by Michael Bailey, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details ...

This article is part of a wider series in partnership with Football Manager 26, which looks at the strengths and weaknesses of famous historical and contemporary tactics. The story of football teams ...

In the realm of football tactics, there exists a delicate balance between defensive solidity and negative play. Coaches and teams often face the dilemma of whether to adopt an approach that ...

The Premier League has always been a hotbed for tactical innovation, but the last decade has seen a remarkable transformation in how teams approach the game. From high-pressing systems to fluid ...