The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

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 and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Carey Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Champions League returned this week with some huge clashes and intriguing results. So, at the halfway point of the league phase — how are the favourites shaping up, and who has caught our eye on Europe’s biggest stage?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducers: Mike Stavrou, Ben Green & Steve Hankey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This season there have been zero instances of teams starting with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League. In the late 2000s the majority of teams lined up in a 4-4-2 - but since then, that figure has been steadily dropping.We find out why.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Michael CoxProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iconic former Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan sat down with The Athletic's Jordan Campbell to discuss playing under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, City's treble-winning team and his future plans.With: Jordan Campbell & İlkay GündoğanExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Tuchel’s England team selection for the wins over Wales and Latvia got us thinking about star players and their value.Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish were left out of the squad by Tuchel, despite their “star status”.When building a team, what is the priority; star players, or players who fit the system?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Michael CoxProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re discussing the evolution of goalkeeper distribution. Are teams actually going long more often, and how is it changing the game?Host: Duncan Alexander With: Michael Cox and Mark Carey  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we tackle the Premier League’s promoted clubs – who collectively, so far this season, are flying. How are they doing it and more importantly, can they sustain it?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics in Manchester City’s Premier League draw at Arsenal last weekend caused quite the stir.Was it a one off? Or has Guardiola’s philosophy been slowly changing in front of our eyes?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were a mere 19 goals across 20 games in the Premier League last weekend.Which got us thinking — why so few? And is it partly to do with the influx of new signings creating unfamiliarity and uncertainty?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrouhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6633559/2025/09/16/premier-league-signings-goals/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast - we focus on pressing. What does it involve in the modern game, which teams do it best - and worst - and how has it changed from when it was just called ‘closing down’.Host Duncan Alexander is joined by Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to discuss.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the international break in men’s football and that means only one thing… mailbag time!We’re going to answer your questions on all sorts — iPads, subs, mavericks and more!Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’ll tell you why Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system he insists on using at Manchester United, isn’t functioning.And we’ll look at other examples of managers who seem wedded to just one system - can that approach really work?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re charting the journey from academy to first team football.What are the main tactical challenges in making the jump, and how has the transition changed over time?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.