DS: One thing Louis Van Gaal says is that you can control a match offensively and defensively but you must keep in control defensively you can also determine where your opponent will play on the pitch.

AVB: Yes, I agree. In that sense, yes. But the idea we now have in Portugal of match control is about having more ball possession than the opponent.

DS: Exactly, but match control has to result in scoring chances. That’s the only way it makes sense. There are teams that have like 60 per cent ball possession and that results in nothing at all.

AVB: That’s it. Match control always has to have a purpose, a main goal.


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Take notes Arsene

Ancelotti was p15 poor tactically. Search my article history, I did a piece on just this a couple of weeks back

Considering how tactical Serie A is it was embarrassing to see him outwitted so easily. Same bloody tactics every week

Had he shown even a degree of courage or pragmatism he;d likely be in a job today

AVB seems a breath of fresh air afatr the horribly conservative Ancelotti. Finally we have a manager with a degree of pragmatism and tactical nous

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True but then your average barfly hasn;t won too many trebles

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possession is useless without goals? Wow, what an incredible insight!

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See you say that with a sarcastic tone, but it's not gotten though to Wenger has it???

AVB if he's given time he'll be a great manager. Having said that who's to say he isn't already a great one? We'll see at the end of the season...

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As much as I've been impressed with AVB and the confidence I've had in him it would be premature to call him great and put him on the same level as managers like Ferguson, Mourinho and Benitez

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The fish:chip ratio should be improved...or change shop to a chippy that has a super fish:chip ratio

This comment from AVB got my attention in particular.

"Can’t you use your defensive midfielder to introduce a surprise factor in the match? Let’s say, first he passes horizontally and then, suddenly, vertical penetration?"

This really can be Mikel's chance under AVB to step up from being an ok player to a great one.

I would love him to have a great season and step up a level, but no more excuses, Mikel has to do it this season.

Fascinating interview, but did he have to tell all his secrets to all the other PL clubs?

Fascinating interview, but did he have to tell all his secrets to all the other PL clubs?
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That's what I was thinking - people like Fergie will be in his study reading that interview and making notes for weeks, months even!

fascinating read.gives you an insight into the way top managers think.A must read for all armchair football critics like me. has increased my confidence in AVB by a few notches