Selim Ben Hmida

🇹🇳 Football analyst at @TotalAnalysis and former Milan Women analyst at @MilanReportscom

[Selim Ben Hmida @mrziguen]

Enjoyed recording this podcast with @ascully24 and @DavidPAstill21 and I hope you enjoy listening to it as well! 🔥

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

With #WEURO2022 rapidly approaching, @ascully24 sat down with two TFA women's football experts @DavidPAstill21 and @mrziguen ⚽️🎙️

The trio go in-depth, looking at the tactics, strengths and weaknesses of each side

You don't want to miss this! 🔥
https://t.co/rXiyMeGtjr

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

🇳🇱Ronald Koeman's Netherlands blend tactical fluidity with progressive attacking football, seeking World Cup redemption at World Cup 2026.

A few tactical observations from @mrziguen

1️⃣ Formation flexibility is built into the system.
Koeman primarily operates a 4-3-3 with 4-2-3-1 as plan B, but demonstrated tactical agility against Algeria, switching to 4-4-2 and then 3-4-3 to increase attacking numbers. This flexibility will be crucial against compact defences like Sweden and Tunisia, though excessive mid-game switching could expose defensive organization.

2️⃣ Build-up play breaks high pressure with precision.
The Netherlands excel at overcoming aggressive pressing through intelligent vertical passing and well-timed movement. In the Algeria game, they beat five players through accurate pressing resistance and progressed into favourable attacking positions. Chemistry between defensive and midfield players, combined with passing accuracy, enables smooth transitions into numerical superiority.

3️⃣ Progressive wingers and intelligent support create threats.
🇳🇱Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen provide dynamic width, with midfielders like Tijjani Reijnders making key box-crashing runs from deep. This combination creates multiple attacking solutions, allowing the Netherlands to find ways into the box even against low blocks, generating 16 shots and 37 attacks against Algeria despite not scoring.

4️⃣ Final-third decision-making remains the weak point.
The Netherlands create inviting goalscoring opportunities but suffer from egoistic final passes and poor decision-making in the box. Against Algeria, players frequently chose solo efforts over open teammates—Reijnders shooting from difficult angles instead of assisting unmarked Gakpo, and Gakpo overcomplicating situations rather than playing simple passes.

5️⃣ Counterattacking vulnerabilities expose slow defenders.
The Netherlands occasionally concede on counters due to slow retreats and static reactions from centre-backs like Virgil van Dijk. Against Poland, Van Dijk's delayed reaction allowed a striker to gain a 1v1 advantage in an empty half. Austria and Sweden's pace on transitions could expose these weaknesses, requiring clearer counterpressing plans.

https://t.co/8by3Eff9vJ

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner🌎⚽

At TFA, we’re breaking down the tactics, structures, and identities behind national teams worldwide

All our WC articles and tactical analysis will be linked in the thread below. New articles will be added to this thread daily👇

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Tunisia returns to the World Cup seeking their first-ever knockout qualification in a tough group with Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden.

@mrziguen explores their strengths, weaknesses, and style under Sabri Lamouchi for the tournament.

https://t.co/qxfp0AuJgv

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Norway returns to the World Cup in 2026 for the first time since 1998, with a promising generation under Ståle Solbakken.

@mrziguen explores Norway's style of play, strengths, weaknesses, and predicted starting XI for the tournament.

https://t.co/i0Tdn6Rhcv

[Selim Ben Hmida @mrziguen]

My thoughts on AC Milan’s disappointing failure to qualify for the Champions League: tactical confusion, passive defending after taking the lead, poor set-piece organisation, and too many late in-game experiments from Allegri.
https://t.co/8tdS9F7EB6

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

RC Lens defeated OGC Nice 3-1 in the Coupe de France final, claiming their first cup triumph after narrowly missing the Ligue 1 title.

@mrziguen examines Nice's attacking plan and how Lens exploited defensive weaknesses.

https://t.co/Mtq11GXdhf

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Lautaro Martínez leads Serie A's goalscoring charts despite injuries.

@mrziguen compares the top Serie A scorers' statistics, focusing on the top five and lower totals versus other leagues.

https://t.co/weciiR3CMQ

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Roma defeated Lazio 2-0 in the Derby della Capitale, strengthening their Champions League qualification hopes ahead of the final matchday.

@mrziguen examines how Roma neutralized Lazio's threats, exploited set pieces, and used creative build-up.

https://t.co/akMhwb7ki7

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Juventus moved one point ahead of AC Milan and Roma in the UCL race with a crucial victory at Lecce.

@mrziguen examines Juventus' attacking performance, numerical superiority in the box, intelligent penetrations, and areas for improvement.

https://t.co/oEvcZgIx5p

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Barcelona clinched the La Liga title with a dominant El Clásico victory at Camp Nou.

@mrziguen examines Barcelona's diverse attacking solutions, Real Madrid's defensive weaknesses, and their disjointed attacking issues.

https://t.co/W22JRr1Iu0

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Aston Villa overturned a 1-0 deficit with a dominant 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to reach the Europa League final.

@mrziguen examines Villa's attacking solutions, wing and half-space reliance, and exploitation of Forest's defensive errors.

https://t.co/cIO88xMjIC

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Manchester City closed Arsenal's title lead to three points with a crucial 2-1 victory, applying significant pressure in the race.

@mrziguen examines Arsenal's evolving tactics across both halves and how City responded to secure a decisive win.

https://t.co/jLoe62WBwa

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Como came close to beating Inter Milan at the San Siro before conceding four goals in a painful 3-4 defeat.

@mrziguen examines Como's attacking ideas, their two first-half goals, and why they failed to protect their lead.

https://t.co/5iIsC9uBNa

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Kenneth Taylor has made an immediate impact at Lazio following his move from Ajax.

@mrziguen examines his profile, strengths in playmaking and goalscoring, and potential development in Serie A.

https://t.co/F1SqC509v5

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Inter responded to recent struggles with a decisive 5-2 win over Roma.

@mrziguen examines how they returned to core attacking principles to dismantle Roma’s defensive structure and reassert control in the title race.

https://t.co/dprt65FElH

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Sweden secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Poland to book their World Cup return.

@mrziguen explores how both sides targeted defensive gaps and why Sweden proved more decisive in key moments.

https://t.co/aGWVcF1srn

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Italy eased playoff nerves with a controlled 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.

@mrziguen explores their long-pass variation, second-ball dominance, and second-half verticality that unlocked the block.

https://t.co/rFE6s5blV2

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Fiorentina’s relentless response cancelled out Inter’s early advantage in a tense Serie A clash.

@mrziguen explores how La Viola adjusted their structure and prised open Inter’s fragile defensive shape.

https://t.co/baNgxiwgkc

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Barcelona’s 7-2 aggregate hides a far tighter tactical contest at Camp Nou.

@mrziguen explores Newcastle’s early threat and how Barça’s rapid transitions and positional fluidity ultimately broke them.

https://t.co/bA91d9oygi

[Tactical Football Analysis @TotalAnalysis]

Real Madrid completed a clinical two-leg dismantling of Manchester City.

@mrziguen examines their decisive counterattacks and the defensive risks that left Guardiola’s side exposed.

https://t.co/QFd6DLEnwG