Talon

The first forward pass should shape this match. Frosinone seek quick attacks through pressure and wide combinations, while Sassuolo have shown a way out through a dropping striker and runners from midfield. The space behind the home pressure gives the visiting wingers a clear area to attack.

Estudiantes' pressure and delivery meet a Flamengo attack that has kept its wide and central connections despite important absences. The home side's changed central defence makes covering those connections a key part of this semifinal first leg. Tiago Palacios' return also restores a source of creativity for Estudiantes, giving the match attacking routes at both ends.

Celta’s plan to press high makes the first pass after a turnover central to this match. Their recent difficulty connecting midfield to attack gives Juventus a way to keep bringing play back toward the home defence. The visitors retain both runners behind the press and a crossing route against a deeper block.

Adelaide's passing and runs behind the defence meet a Pathum side rebuilding an important central connection. The visitors have shown ways into the box through the middle and from either flank. Pathum still have a productive forward in Gustavsson, making the supply into him a central part of this contest.

St. Louis and Vancouver meet at the junction between forward pressure and possession, with runners around the box testing the visitors' defensive organisation. Galaxy and Portland face a similar contest through different routes: crosses into a central striker at one end, wide carries and cutbacks at the other. In both matches, the important detail is what happens after the first pass or clearance, when a second receiver can turn an attack into a close-range chance.

This match brings Feyenoord's wide combinations up against Como's possession and movement between the lines. The key spaces are outside the midfield screen and behind the full-backs after possession changes. Both teams have shown how an inside runner can turn a wide attack into a dangerous delivery. Recovery defending and the first pass after winning the ball should shape the contest.

This matchup turns on the first runner and the pitching handover. SoftBank combine Kondo’s ability to reach base with Kurihara and Masaki’s power, while Nippon-Ham bring a right-handed middle order and flexible running options. The starters have already shown how different versions of the same meeting can produce either a tight contest or an early power breakthrough.

Brazil's forward passing and set-piece delivery give Argentina two different defensive tasks. Argentina's reply comes through a compact shape, pressure on the first pass and runners arriving beyond its midfield receiver. The first meeting showed those contrasting routes in action, making the connections between midfield and defence the central contest in this rematch.

Germany's pressure and Japan's movement between the lines make the first pass out of defence the central contest. Germany create quick attacks through recoveries, wide delivery and runners arriving at the far side. Japan use width to open central pockets and connect several receivers around the box. The recent friendlies show two working attacks with different ways of finding space.

The key contest is whether Oviedo can keep their first pass out of defence alive against Eibar's front pressure. Oviedo retain creative service through Goti, but their receiving structure has changed since Ramos's injury. Eibar's wide delivery and midfield arrivals give them several ways to turn recovered possession into a dangerous attack.

Grêmio's deliveries and loose-ball attacks meet Internacional's quick escapes through midfield. Both teams have created useful chances while also allowing opponents into dangerous areas. The first goal should give the trailing side a reason to bring its existing attacking routes into the game more often.

This match brings Midtjylland's direct combinations and long throws up against Copenhagen's wide delivery and changing targets in the box. The home side can threaten without holding the ball for long. The visitors have several established supply routes, while Midtjylland are assembling a changed defensive group.

This match brings together two attacks that can manufacture a run or change the score with one swing. The opening game showed genuine traffic on both sides, with pitching and conversion keeping the contest close. Starter length and the handoff to relief should shape the middle and closing innings.

This match centres on the first forward pass after a recovery. Spain's possession and immediate pressure meet USA's wing runs and quick attacking connections. Both teams have changes through the middle, making the timing between nearby players more revealing than their recent scorelines.

This final brings together two different ways of reaching the penalty area. South Melbourne build their threat through wide service and a central finisher, while Melbourne Victory use quick combinations through the middle. The contest turns on the quality of those deliveries and the space left behind advancing midfielders.

Cerezo's wide pressure and Yokohama's quick exits make the ball after a clearance central to this match. Advancing the wingbacks gives Cerezo more passing options, but also leaves space for the next attack. Corners and deliveries into the box offer another way through beyond the possession contest.

PSV's pressure and Heerenveen's ability to escape it make this a contest about the space left behind an attack. Wide service and mobile runs give the home side several ways into the box. Heerenveen bring forward passing and quick outlets that can turn a recovery into a chance before the defence resets.

Al-Ahli's territorial pressure meets an Al-Fateh attack built around outlets and combinations. Toney gives the visitors a central link for their wide creators and arriving runners. Fateh have documented connections through Batna, Haraslin and Kanga, while Ahli's expected defensive changes make the protection behind its attacks central to this match.

The attacking changes on both sides are what draw me to this match. Inter are preparing to put a centre-forward between their advancing wing-backs, while Yuri Alberto’s return gives Corinthians a runner ahead of Memphis Depay. I expect those roles to make the space around Inter’s back three and Corinthians’ box defence central to the contest.

Chicago have a clear route into the areas Vancouver struggled to defend against D.C. United. Their corners and reactions to loose balls in the box give this matchup its shape. Lewandowski's return adds a target for those attacks, while Mbokazi's return strengthens the center of the defense.