Paul Macdonald

All articles from Paul Macdonald on FootballCritic

 
Paul Macdonald • paulmacdfc Chief Content Officer SFM
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Former Goal editor, FootballCritic and Football Transfers founder with over a decade of experience covering domestic and international football, with particular focus on Barcelona.

Articles written by Paul Macdonald

Premier League

Leicester 1-3 Leeds: Bamford's stunning display seals victory

The forward struck a brilliant left-footed shot into the top corner to clinch a hugely competitive match between two good teams

  • 4 years
Analysis

Lionel Messi is 33. But with modern technology, he's nowhere near retirement

The Argentine is in the body preservation mode of his career, but advances mean that he can manage his time for years to come

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Atletico 3-1 Valencia Player Ratings: Joao Felix and Suarez drive league leaders to win

Atleti's front two helped their side come back from behind and remain in a superb position at the top of the table

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool Player Ratings: Firmino and Salah star, but United win

The Reds' duo both had excellent afternoons but their good attacking play was offset by some poor defending

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Elche 0-2 Barcelona Player Ratings: De Jong steps up in Messi's absence

The Dutchman has been in excellent form of late and continued his good run in front of goal with the winning goal

  • 4 years
Player Rating

Joshua Kimmich hits hat-trick of assists in stunning Bayern performance

The dynamic German produced a masterclass of a performance, recording a perfect 10 FC Rating for his efforts

  • 4 years
Player Rating

Tammy Abraham: Player Rating and performance versus Luton

The Chelsea forward netted a brilliant hat-trick as Frank Lampard's side got a much-needed win in the cup

  • 4 years
Lionel Messi

Messi's red card shows his frustration that Barcelona just aren't good enough

The Argentine launched a punch to the back of Asier Villalibre's head as his team lost the Supercopa final to Athletic Bilbao

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Barcelona 2-3 Athletic Player Ratings: Messi sent off after late capitulation

The Argentine was barely in the contest and was red carded for a wild punch as Barca threw away a winning position in the Supercopa final

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Manchester City 4-0 Crystal Palace Player Ratings: Stones turns striker!

The England defender produced a superb display at both ends of the pitch as Pep Guardiola's side purred into action

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Tanguy Ndombele: Player Rating and performance versus Sheffield United

The dynamic midfielder scored a brilliant goal in the middle of another dominant display for Jose Mourinho's side

  • 4 years
Team of the Week

Championship Team of the Week: Classy Cantwell continues great form

The creative midfielder has been on an excellent run and kept it up against Cardiff to keep Norwich top

  • 4 years
Spanish Supercopa

Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona (2-3 pens), Player Ratings: Griezmann shines to clinch final berth

The Frenchman may have missed in the shoot-out but his display in normal time was another move in the right direction

  • 4 years
Lionel Messi

The chart that shows Lionel Messi is having an outstanding season - again

The Argentine's numbers might have started slowly, but in the last few weeks his actuals are catching up with his expected numbers

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United, Player Ratings: Bielsa's boys battered in shock cup exit

The Premier League side made a few changes but were not expected to be posed too much trouble for the fourth-tier side

  • 4 years
La Liga

Wonderkid Pedri needs to maintain his high level, admits Ronald Koeman

The Barcelona starlet has had a sensational season so far and his coach believes a spot at the Euros with Spain is achievable

  • 4 years
Analytics

Are footballers simply too programmed to understand a tactical 'Plan B'?

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United side have mastered their coach's tactical ideas - why confuse them with alternatives?

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Athletic Bilbao 2-3 Barcelona, Player Ratings: Messi and Pedri majestic in superb win

The Argentine produced one of his most impactful performances of the season while the 18-year-old shone again in Bilbao

  • 4 years
Player Ratings

Milan 1-3 Juventus, Player Ratings: Chiesa unplayable as Juve make statement

The wide forward produced a superb display and as was ably backed up by Paulo Dybala in a crucial win for Pirlo's side

  • 4 years
Player Rating

Arsenal loanee William Saliba suffers nightmare loss on Nice debut

The highly-rated defender showed that he hasn't played much football in 2020 as his new club went down comfortably at Brest

  • 4 years
Analysis

Trent Alexander-Arnold loses the ball a lot - but does it matter?

The Liverpool full-back made a record number of concessions in Monday's defeat to Southampton, but creative players usually do

  • 4 years
Analytics

Endless Expected Goals debate shows knowledge gap football still faces

Pundits and commentators are still attempting to round on the metric and their lack of interest shows a game set in its ways

  • 4 years
Team of the Week

La Liga Team of the week: Suarez reminds Barcelona what they are missing

The Argentine maestro was magnificent as the Blaugrana comfortably swept Real Valladolid aside this midweek

  • 4 years
Team of the Week

Premier League Team of the Week: Tierney and Laca spearhead Arsenal inclusion

The young Frenchman was in magnificent form in goal for Marcelo Bielsa's side, helping to keep Burnley at bay with a string of saves

  • 4 years
Predicted XI

Coronavirus causing selection problems - how Man City and Man United could line up in Carabao Cup

City's plans continue to be disrupted by positive cases within the squad, while Ole Solskjaer has many options available

  • 4 years