Latest news with #tactics
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Like George W Bush did in Iraq, if Israel breaks Iran it will end up owning the chaos that could ensue
Israelis are good at tactics, poor at strategic vision, it has been observed. Their campaign against Iran may be a case in point. Short termism is understandable in a region that is so unpredictable. Why make elaborate plans if they are generally undone by unexpected events? It is a mindset that is familiar to anyone who has lived or worked there. And it informs policy-making. The Israeli offensive in Gaza is no exception. The Israeli government has never been clear how it will end or what happens the day after that in what remains of the coastal strip. Pressed privately, even senior advisers will admit they simply do not know. It may seem unfair to call a military operation against Iran that literally took decades of planning short-termist or purely tactical. There was clearly a strategy of astonishing sophistication behind a devastating campaign that has dismantled so much of the enemy's capability. But is there a strategic vision beyond that? That is what worries Israel's allies. It's not as if we've not been here before, time and time again. From Libya to Afghanistan and all points in between we have seen the chaos and carnage that follows governments being changed. Hundreds of thousands have died. Vast swathes of territory remain mired in turmoil or instability. Which is where a famous warning sign to American shoppers in the 80s and 90s comes in. Ahead of the disastrous invasion that would tear Iraq apart, America's defence secretary, Colin Powell, is said to have warned US president George W Bush of the "Pottery Barn rule". The Pottery Barn was an American furnishings store. Signs among its wares told clumsy customers: "You break it, you own it." Bush did not listen to Powell hard enough. His administration would end up breaking Iraq and owning the aftermath in a bloody debacle lasting years. Israel is not invading Iran, but it is bombing it back to the 80s, or even the 70s, because it is calling for the fall of the government that came to power at the end of that decade. Iran's leadership is proving resilient so far but we are just a week in. It is a country of 90 million, already riven with social and political discontent. Its system of government is based on factional competition, in which paranoia, suspicion and intense rivalries are the order of the day. Read more:Putin says 'Ukraine is ours' and threatens nuclear strike After half a century of authoritarian theocratic rule there are no opposition groups ready to replace the ayatollahs. There may be a powerful sense of social cohesion and a patriotic resentment of outside interference, for plenty of good historic reasons. But if that is not enough to keep the country together then chaos could ensue. One of the biggest and most consequential nations in the region could descend into violent instability. That will have been on Israel's watch. If it breaks Iran it will own it even more than America owned the disaster in Iraq. Iran and Israel are, after all, in the same neighbourhood. Has Israel thought through the consequences? What is the strategic vision beyond victory? And if America joins in, as Donald Trump is threatening, is it prepared to share that legacy? At the very least, is his administration asking its allies whether they have a plan for what could come next?
Sky News
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Like George W Bush did in Iraq, if Israel breaks Iran it will end up owning the chaos that could ensue
Israelis are good at tactics, poor at strategic vision, it has been observed. Their campaign against Iran may be a case in point. Short termism is understandable in a region that is so unpredictable. Why make elaborate plans if they are generally undone by unexpected events? It is a mindset that is familiar to anyone who has lived or worked there. And it informs policy-making. The Israeli offensive in Gaza is no exception. The Israeli government has never been clear how it will end or what happens the day after that in what remains of the coastal strip. Pressed privately, even senior advisers will admit they simply do not know. It may seem unfair to call a military operation against Iran that literally took decades of planning short-termist or purely tactical. There was clearly a strategy of astonishing sophistication behind a devastating campaign that has dismantled so much of the enemy's capability. 3:49 But is there a strategic vision beyond that? That is what worries Israel's allies. It's not as if we've not been here before, time and time again. From Libya to Afghanistan and all points in between we have seen the chaos and carnage that follows governments being changed. Hundreds of thousands have died. Vast swathes of territory remain mired in turmoil or instability. Which is where a famous warning sign to American shoppers in the 80s and 90s comes in. Ahead of the disastrous invasion that would tear Iraq apart, America's defence secretary, Colin Powell, is said to have warned US president George W Bush of the "Pottery Barn rule". The Pottery Barn was an American furnishings store. Signs among its wares told clumsy customers: "You break it, you own it." 0:36 Bush did not listen to Powell hard enough. His administration would end up breaking Iraq and owning the aftermath in a bloody debacle lasting years. Israel is not invading Iran, but it is bombing it back to the 80s, or even the 70s, because it is calling for the fall of the government that came to power at the end of that decade. Iran's leadership is proving resilient so far but we are just a week in. It is a country of 90 million, already riven with social and political discontent. Its system of government is based on factional competition, in which paranoia, suspicion and intense rivalries are the order of the day. After half a century of authoritarian theocratic rule there are no opposition groups ready to replace the ayatollahs. There may be a powerful sense of social cohesion and a patriotic resentment of outside interference, for plenty of good historic reasons. But if that is not enough to keep the country together then chaos could ensue. One of the biggest and most consequential nations in the region could descend into violent instability. That will have been on Israel's watch. If it breaks Iran it will own it even more than America owned the disaster in Iraq. Iran and Israel are, after all, in the same neighbourhood. Has Israel thought through the consequences? What is the strategic vision beyond victory? And if America joins in, as Donald Trump is threatening, is it prepared to share that legacy?
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Chelsea were mesmerised by Flamengo's wide combinations. This is how Felipe Luis' side do it
If there's one thing that distinguishes Filipe Luis' Flamengo, it's their passing combinations in attack. In the nine months under Luis, Flamengo have mainly played in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with the front four having the freedom to occupy narrow positions and combine in the central or wide areas. As a result, Flamengo's flying full-backs have been a key element of their attack. But the approach differs from one game to another depending on the characteristics of the players and how the opponent sets up. Advertisement After beating Esperance de Tunis with two goals that perfectly encapsulated their offensive style, Flamengo's wide combinations proved effective in their 3-1 victory against Chelsea on Friday. Luis continued with the regular Flamengo setup, with Jorginho partnering Erick Pulgar in midfield and Luiz Araujo, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Gerson behind the striker. However, the deviation came up front, where Gonzalo Plata, who is more of a winger than a centre-forward, started in place of Pedro. Flamengo's wide combinations were present from their first attack in the game, with Gerson in a narrow role and right-back Wesley Franca pushing down the right wing. Here, Gerson is marked by Levi Colwill as Danilo plays the ball into the midfielder. Gerson sets it back to Wesley. This passing combination entices Colwill and Marc Cucurella to press. Even before Danilo plays the ball to Gerson, Plata is in the correct position to attack the space behind Chelsea's left side. Wesley then plays the ball into the path of the Flamengo forward, but the attack is stopped for a foul on Gerson. In this example, it's the left-back, Ayrton Lucas, who is vital to the move. Lucas plays a line-splitting pass into the dropping Plata… … and then dashes forward to make an overlapping run, with Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah dragged up the pitch by Araujo and Plata. The reason Moises Caicedo isn't in a position to support the right side is that he is protecting the gap in Chelsea's defence and keeping an eye on De Arrascaeta, who is looking to attack it. Plata then passes the ball to Araujo… … who tries to find Lucas' third-man run, but the ball deflects off Gusto… … and Flamengo's centre-forward does the job. However, Lucas' poor first touch allows Caicedo to halt the attack. The positioning of Plata and Araujo, coupled with the timing of Lucas' run, created a three-vs-two scenario down the wing and exploited Chelsea's right side. In another example, Flamengo build the attack down the right and Wesley plays the ball in-field to De Arrascaeta. Before the right-back plays the pass, Gerson is already attacking the space vacated by Cucurella pressing forward, and Plata is positioning himself towards that side to pin Colwill and prevent him from defending the third-man run. Caicedo tries to track Gerson, but the timing of the midfielder's movement gives him a head start, and De Arrascaeta finds his team-mate with a one-touch pass behind the defence. The dynamic of the move forces Chalobah, Chelsea's right centre-back, to be the player pressing De Arrascaeta… … which means that when Plata runs towards the penalty spot, Colwill needs to adjust his position, creating a gap in the defence. De Arrascaeta smartly attacks that space and Gerson finds his run, but the attacking midfielder's cross is easily collected by Robert Sanchez. When Flamengo's wide combinations had a final output, they were dangerous. On this attack, Gerson is in a deeper position, and Wesley is occupying the right wing as Jorginho plays the ball to Danilo. Enzo Fernandez is initially keeping an eye on Gerson… … but Jorginho's forward movement alters his attention. Meanwhile, Danilo's pass to Wesley moves Cucurella up the pitch, and Gerson starts his run early to attack the vacated space, with Caicedo unable to support the left side in time. Wesley then plays the ball back to Jorginho, which changes Fernandez and Caicedo's focus for a second and stops them from tracking Gerson's run. That amount of time is enough for Jorginho to chip the ball into the path of his team-mate… … putting Flamengo's forwards in a four-vs-three situation. Gerson then combines with Bruno Henrique… … before switching the play to Plata — a pass aided by Araujo's off-ball movement, forcing Gusto deeper. Plata then dribbles inside against Gusto's momentum and strikes the ball into the roof of the goal, but Sanchez saves it. From the commencing corner kick, Flamengo managed to equalise through Bruno Henrique, before Danilo gave them the lead three minutes later from another dead-ball situation. After the cooling break, Luis switched Plata and Gerson's positions, before introducing Wallace Yan instead of the latter in the 82nd minute. It took the 20-year-old exactly a minute to make his mark on the game by scoring Flamengo's third and final goal. In the build-up to that goal, Wallace attacks the space behind Cucurella as Flamengo's substitute right-back, Guillermo Varela, plays the ball to Plata. Flamengo's right-winger then passes it to Wallace and overlaps the forward to provide a passing option… … before the duo combine to cut through Chelsea's defence and make it 3-1. Flamengo's wide combinations have been a key part of their attack under Luis. The dynamic nature and different variations make it hard to stop. Even if their players are matched in numbers, the timing and unpredictability of their movements give them the upper hand. Flamengo's slick passing moves aren't just easy on the eye, they are effective, too.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tactical Revolutions: How Bold Coaching Is Changing Italian Football
Italian football is not what it used to be — and that's not a bad thing. As a head coach and video analyst, I've watched a slow-burning revolution unfold over the past few seasons. Gone are the days of rigid formations and conservative play. Today's Serie A looks sharper, faster, and surprisingly bold. Let's take a closer look at how coaching minds are rewriting the script. Advertisement This shift hasn't just made matches more watchable — it's introduced unpredictability that appeals to a new generation of fans, including those who explore stats and odds through tools like vulkanbet login to analyse performance in real time. Key Tactical Changes BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and Parma at Gewiss Stadium on May 25, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by) Some of the new tactics I've seen that even shape how fans bet on sports include: High pressing: Teams now attempt to gain the ball back as fast as they can when they lose possession. Fluid positioning: Players have more freedom to move and interchange their positions out on the field. Building from the back: Goalkeepers and defenders start attacks more, and sometimes backwards. Italian Football, Rewired: The Rise of New Coaching Philosophies Italy's football identity was once built on defence — the iconic catenaccio system, tight marking, and slow, tactical build-up. But that's changing. New-generation coaches are ripping up the old playbook and pushing for high pressing, quick transitions, and possession-based control. Advertisement Let's drop the generalisations and look at real changes on the ground: Atalanta under Gasperini pressed aggressively before it became fashionable. Their risk-heavy setup often leads to chaotic, high-scoring games, exactly what neutrals love. Their matches often feel like chaos in motion — the kind that keeps even neutral fans glued to their screens and encourages many to bet on sports for the unpredictability alone. Sassuolo , once a mid-table, quiet name, played bold possession football, developing players like Locatelli and Frattesi into key national assets. Milan, with Stefano Pioli, ditched their identity crisis and built a vertical, energetic team. Their 2021–22 Scudetto wasn't luck — it was the product of smart pressing and trust in youth. The tactical DNA of the league is shifting, and these clubs are the proof. Not every team finds changing their play style an easy task. Some people face difficulties in balancing both attack and defence. It's a process, like learning to trust a new system before it proves itself. Coaches are giving explanations to help the players share the new roles. It is usually done by providing more time for training and watching video analysis. Players watch clips, ask questions, and adjust — slowly but steadily. Fans see it too. And for those who track trends through tools like vulkanbet login, this messy middle phase becomes a signal. You're not just betting on form — you're reading momentum, understanding who's adapting faster, and spotting where the system cracks under pressure. The Future of Italian footballer Younger players coming through the academy pipeline already see the game differently. They're being taught modern concepts from day one—no more waiting until the senior level to learn how to press or rotate positions. Advertisement As this next generation hits the top flight, we'll see even more creative systems take shape. And with fans becoming more tactically literate (and more curious, especially those tracking trends), there's growing appreciation for bold football done right. Conclusion This tactical revolution has propelled Italian football out of its traditional patterns and infused it with energy, excitement, and unpredictability. As teams continue to grow and adapt, we can expect more goals, tighter matches, and fresh surprises. Just like sharp bettors seeking an edge in how they bet on, fans will find new joy in the evolving realisation of Italian football.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hongkonger thriving in Sweden after football degree course at Real Madrid
If it sounds far-fetched that Matthew Mak Pak-hei has targeted winning the Champions League, the Hongkonger's ascent to a plum European football job suggests he is entitled to dream big. Mak, 25, is into his third season as an analyst for Swedish champions Malmo, only seven years after he began 'looking into tactics for fun'. He got there by studying for a degree at Real Madrid, but was initially fixated on the methods of Pep Guardiola, perfected at Barcelona and now practised at Manchester City. 'There were debates about whether he was really good, or a fraud who always had top players,' said Mak, who as a City fan favours the former argument. 'I didn't start with any ambitions to be in the industry; I just began looking at more teams and tactics as a hobby.' During his Global Studies degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mak estimates he watched up to 500 matches per year. He began writing for Total Football Analysis magazine, and Malmo head coach Henrik Rydstrom, then in charge of Kalmar, admired his work. Real Madrid's Luka Modric takes a corner at the club's Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: AFP 'I liked how his team played, and he liked how I saw the game,' Mak said. 'He didn't have much analytical support, so we spoke a lot.'
