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Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Dec 24

From moments of magic to eras of dominance, these teams shaped the history of African football. Let’s explore seven legendary sides, the players who defined them

Africa's Greatest Teams Ever - A Thread🧵

#AFCON

𝐀𝐥𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟐-𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎

This golden era for Algerian football began with one of the most iconic World Cup upsets in history: Algeria defeating West Germany 2-1 in their opening game of the 1982 tournament. Led by midfield maestro Lakhdar Belloumi and clinical forward Rabah Madjer, Algeria’s class of ‘82 proved that African teams could not only compete with the best in the world but beat them.

Though they were controversially eliminated due to the infamous "Disgrace of Gijón" match between West Germany and Austria, their performance was a watershed moment for African football. Madjer’s performances in ’82 meant a move to Europe, where he immortalised himself in both African and European folklore winning the 1987 European Cup with Porto.

The team’s success continued through the decade, culminating in their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1990. With a talented squad featuring the tournament top scorer Djamel Menad and backed by passionate home support, Algeria defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy on home soil. This period solidified Algeria’s place among Africa’s footballing elite. Algeria also achieved their highest FIFA ranking of 15th in 1982 following their World Cup heroics.

𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟒-𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎

The first golden generation for Cameroon laid the foundations for their legacy during this era. Cameroon announced themselves as a force in African football by winning their first AFCON title in 1984, defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the final. Under coach Claude Le Roy, the team built on this success with another AFCON triumph in 1988, beating Nigeria once again, this time 1-0 in the final. They also reached the 1986 final and despite losing out to Egypt, this signified a dominant period for the Indomitable Lions.

Roger Milla emerged as the team’s talisman during this period, with his remarkable performances inspiring a generation. Thomas N’Kono, the legendary goalkeeper, was another pivotal figure during this period. His outstanding reflexes and composure under pressure made him a cornerstone of Cameroon’s defense, inspiring future generations of goalkeepers, including Gianluigi Buffon, who cited N’Kono as his idol. Emmanuel Kunde provided leadership and physicality in defense, while Cyrille Makanaky’s creativity in midfield added flair to the team’s play.

Their crowning achievement came at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, where Cameroon became the first African team to reach the quarterfinals. Milla’s four goals, including his iconic strikes against Colombia, propelled the Lions to global recognition. Some of Cameroon’s fearless performances include: a victory over reigning champions Argentina, victory over Hagi's Romania and putting on a dominate performance, controlling possession, against one of the finest England sides of all time.

These performances further redefined expectations initially set by Algeria in '82 for African teams on the world stage.

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Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Dec 20

Sell Stars, Build Culture, Win Trophies

With Amorim looking to cut Rashford, we look at transfers where managers took bold action, wielding the axe on big names they saw as cultural roadblocks—resetting team dynamics and steering their clubs back to success.

⚔️🏆

[A THREAD]

Pep Guardiola's Cultural Reset: The Birth of Tiki-Taka and the Rise of Messi

Ronaldinho, a Ballon d’Or winner, was a magician on the pitch but had fallen victim to complacency and off-field distractions. His brilliance was now overshadowed by late-night parties and waning fitness. Deco, an equally gifted playmaker, was also seen as emblematic of the squad’s fading focus. Guardiola’s decision to part ways with both was met with skepticism. How could Barcelona survive, let alone thrive, without these talismans?

But for Pep, their exits weren’t just tactical—they were symbolic. Their departures sent a message that no one was bigger than the team and that a new era would prioritise discipline and hard work over reputation.

In their place, Guardiola turned to players who embodied humility and dedication. Chief among them was a young Lionel Messi, whose prodigious talent was matched by an unassuming demeanor. Alongside Messi, other homegrown talents like Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets formed the backbone of the team. These players weren’t just technically gifted; they were steeped in the club’s philosophy, having been groomed at La Masia, Barcelona’s famed academy.

This new group of “choirboys,” weren’t about the flash of the individual but the harmony of the collective. Under Guardiola’s guidance, they would come to redefine football itself.

Guardiola’s cultural overhaul bore fruit almost immediately. In his first season, Barcelona won an unprecedented treble: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. Their style of play was mesmerising, dismantling opponents with precision and fluidity. Ronaldinho and Deco’s brilliance was soon a distant memory, eclipsed by the systemic dominance of Guardiola’s tiki-taka machine.

More importantly, Guardiola had re-established Barcelona’s identity. The club became synonymous with elegance, discipline, and a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Drinking Revolution: Selling McGrath and Whiteside

By common consensus, the turning point came with a Mark Robins header against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Jan 7, 1990.

Within Old Trafford, however, the recollection is different. The Robins goal provided a launch-pad but, according to Bryan Robson, the boil had actually been lanced six months earlier, during summer of 1989.
“When the manager sold Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside, he was getting rid of big fans’ favourites and it was a really big decision,” Robson recalls.

“A lot has been said about the manager not being happy with their lifestyle, but I think the major factor with both Norman and Paul was their injuries and the manager felt he couldn’t rely on their fitness anymore.

“What the manager proved by selling Norman and Big Paul, however, was that he would take the tough decisions, no matter how big or popular the player. He has since proved that time and time again. He knows that you cannot allow cracks to develop and affect a dressing room, so he will make the big calls and that’s why he has been so successful over 25 years.”

The cultural reset initiated by Ferguson began to bear fruit in the early 1990s. The 1990 FA Cup victory, often credited with saving Ferguson’s job, was the first major success of the new era. It marked a turning point for the club, instilling belief and laying the groundwork for the dominance that would follow.

United went on to win their first league title in 26 years in 1993, ushering in an era of unprecedented success under Ferguson. The tough decisions of the late 1980s, including the sales of McGrath and Whiteside, proved instrumental in creating the culture that underpinned this golden age.

Read 9 tweets

Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Dec 1

Liverpool 2-0 Man City | Tactical Thread

➡️ Silva was City's deepest mid? Pep has lost the plot
➡️ Fired up Trent, dominates passive Szoboszlai's zone
➡️ Van Dijk humbles Haaland + dominates set pieces
➡️ City no vertical penetration in wide areas
➡️ Akanji positioned too high

As we can see from City's position/pass network, that there is zero width down the right. Everything seems geared to getting the ball to Nunes... but why is Pep treating an out of position B2B as his new Eden Hazard?

A bizzare move which proves he's not in his right mind atm.

With regards to Liverpool, they mostly built up through the right with Trent, Gravenberch, Szobo and Salah creating squares and parallelograms, running City's left side ragged with their sharpness and moving the ball around quickly.

Read 6 tweets

Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Nov 23

Man City 0-4 Tottenham | Tactical Thread

➡️ Walker is finished - STOP STARTING HIM!
➡️ Pep's OOP Structure is abysmal, no CDM??
➡️ Kulusevski bullies Gvardiol by making him defend
➡️ Haaland needs to trust his right foot
➡️ In possession City did look slick but lost confidence

City started well but for me Haaland's lack of willingness to use his right foot meant that some great opportunities were squandered and this then allowed Spurs to stay in the game.

He refused to use his first touch to push the ball into space in front of him and kept working it back onto his left which allowed Spurs time to get back in and make blocks.

Kyle Walker can someone explain this misguided loyalty angle from Pep? it is usually a sign of a manager who has lost his hunger when he starts making basic errors like this from a selection POV.

Pep needs to recover his ruthless streak. Son an old man winger was made to look in his prime, and kept tearing him down the line.

Maddison was also given so much freedom to operate and ghost into the box as none of those City midfielders were able to track back and physically bully him.

Read 5 tweets

Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Nov 22

Ruben Amorim's DEBUT - What to expect TACTICALLY?

➡️Pentagon Press (3 forwards, 2 CM) backed by WB
➡️Ugarte unleashed as ball hunter
➡️Feed Forward - CF centric service plan
➡️Rest Defence (5-4-1)

Full Video:

#MUFC

[A THREAD] 👇

Amorim presses in a very structured manner. It is called a 'pentagon press' where he uses a 5 man unit to hunt for the ball... the CF supported by the two inside forwards, which is then supported by a second wave of two midfielders who vacate the space in midfield. It can lead to potential gaps between midfield and defence.

The near side wing back also supports the press whilst the other side moves back to form a back 4.

If the press is bypassed, Amorim likes to drop off into a back 5.

The midfield 4 still act as a unit, moving to the side where the ball is and looking to shield the backline but also squeeze the ball back from that side by using the touchline to pin opponents in.

Read 7 tweets

Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️

@pythaginboots

Nov 20

"Standing on the Shoulders of Giants"

What happens to those who follow greatness? Some crumble under the weight of expectation, others thrive. A rare few step out of the shadows to forge their own legacies.

Shadow Managers - A thread🧵

𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥 – Sunderland

Campbell followed Tom Watson, Britain’s first great football manager. Watson turned Sunderland into a powerhouse, known as the “team of all talents.” He elevated the manager’s role from administrative to visionary.

When Watson left for Liverpool, Campbell stepped in but couldn’t maintain Sunderland’s dominance. He left with no titles, forever overshadowed by Watson’s legacy.

𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Huddersfield Town

Potter had an unusual background: battling for promotion with Derby, playing cricket for Hartlepool, and working as a dairy farmer in Sussex. Yet, he was chosen to replace the great Herbert Chapman at Huddersfield.

Huddersfield had won back-to-back league titles under Chapman. Potter completed the three-peat but left soon after due to poor health. A brief but brilliant chapter.

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