“It’s like watching a well-executed heist”

Nouman and Rocko on the joy of football tactics, pressing traps and the beautiful game’s hidden drama.

Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

I’m a simple man with simple pleasures. Give me a reckless sliding tackle in the box or a holding six ploughing up the pitch – I’m grinning like a lunatic. For me, football is about chaos and catharsis. Not data. Not xG. Just the feeling in your chest when a ball pings off the bar and every fan forgets how to breathe.

Yes, I can admire a clever build-up or an intricate tactical plan – I’m not a Neanderthal – but that’s never been why I watch. It’s never been what keeps me watching. I’m here for the limbs, not the line graphs. Which, increasingly, makes me feel like the last VHS in a Netflix world.

Because football’s audience has changed. The Football Geek has arrived – and I say that with genuine affection. These are more than just fans. They’re tacticians, analysts, curators of passing networks. They can break down a low block while brushing their teeth. They spend hours diagramming matches on YouTube, threading skeets on BlueSky, explaining overloads on Substack, Twitch, Discord, wherever there’s room for a screen and a thought.

One name that always pops up when talking about tactical analysis is Nouman, a tactical oracle with a cult following across YouTube and Twitter, known for peeling apart games and players with forensic precision.

And Rocko. New to the scene, he started by posting obsessive threads on our beloved club Arminia Bielefeld – and recently, he even got Bielefeld’s assistant coach, Daniel Jahre, to sit down and talk tactics on camera. (Watch that if you speak German.)

I wanted to know more about the motivations behind analysing football. Who are these guys? What drives them? Is enjoying the emotional and rational side of football mutually exclusive? Are they that much different from me?

To find out, I talked to Nouman and Rocko.

How old are you? Do you still play football, or did you use to play?

NOUMAN: I’m 30 years old. I used to play football actively during my high school and college years. It was a big part of my life back then. I loved the teamwork, discipline, and adrenaline that came with it. While I don’t play as much now due to my schedule, I still follow the sport closely and try to stay involved whenever I get the chance.

ROCKO: I'm 31 years old – or young, depending on who's reading this. I started playing football when I was 4 or 5, and really, it’s been a part of my whole life. I’d even say I wasn’t half bad before I hit my growth spurt. I attended a sports school for a while, but then I took a two-year break and played as a handball goalkeeper instead. But once I realized I enjoyed the warm-up football drills more than actual handball training, I went back to football. At 22, though, it was over for me – I had a slipped disc, and that unfortunately meant I couldn’t keep playing.

What sparked your interest in tactics? Was there a specific match, a coach, or a lightbulb moment that set it off?

ROCKO: There wasn’t one specific moment. Even when I was still playing, I always wanted to understand how the game worked. Not just watch and let it wash over me, but really grasp why certain tactical approaches exist, and what their pros and cons are. As silly as it might sound, I played a lot of Football Manager as a teenager – maybe that contributed too.

NOUMAN: My interest in tactics really started during my teenage years. I was always fascinated by how some teams could dominate a match purely through structure and strategy, even without having the most talented players. A real turning point for me was watching Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. The way they controlled space and dictated the tempo made me realize there was a whole deeper level to the game. That curiosity led me to dive into tactical analysis through books, videos, and match studies. More recently, I’ve taken it a step further by enrolling in football coaching classes here in Ontario to deepen my tactical understanding and bring even more insight to my content.

What is it about tactical analysis that fascinates you?

ROCKO: I started analyzing almost exactly a year ago. Until then, I’d often observe how teams behaved when I watched games live at the stadium, but I never did that kind of analysis in my free time. When Arminia had a rough spell last season, I thought: "You do know a little about football – why not rewatch the game and see what stands out?" I honestly never expected anyone to actually read it. But the feedback was overwhelmingly positive – and that’s what motivated me to keep doing it. I just find it exciting to see how teams behave on the pitch. What’s the opponent’s approach? Where do spaces open up? Why didn’t our tactic work? What are the strengths and weaknesses? I wanted to understand why a match ended the way it did. And right now with Arminia, it’s especially fascinating to watch their development – both compared to last season and within the current one.

NOUMAN: What fascinates me most about tactical analysis is that it reveals the ‘why’ behind everything that happens on the pitch. Most people see the goals, the skills, or the drama, but tactics are the invisible framework that shape all of that. I love breaking down the game to understand how space is used, how teams adapt, how small decisions can influence the entire flow of a match. It’s like solving a puzzle in real time. And the beauty of it is that there’s no single right answer, different managers have different philosophies, and it’s all about finding what works best for their players and vision. For me, sharing that layer of depth with fans is incredibly rewarding.

Do you have a role model?

NOUMAN: Yes, I do, one of my biggest role models is Pep Guardiola. Not just because of his success, but because of the way he sees the game. He constantly evolves, challenges conventional thinking, and pays attention to every detail, which I find incredibly inspiring. He’s shown that football isn’t just about passion and intensity. It’s also about intelligence, adaptability, and creativity.

ROCKO: I wouldn’t say “role model,” but I really enjoy Tobias Escher’s books and analyses. I’ve always followed RocketBeans and discovered him through their football show Bohndesliga. His books are something I’d recommend to anyone interested in tactics.

How would you explain to an old-school football romantic like me that a perfectly timed pressing trap can be just as emotionally satisfying as a crunching last-ditch tackle in the 94th minute?

ROCKO: Honestly, I’d have to disagree with that. I don’t think it hits on the same emotional level. But for most people, football is entertainment – and once you move beyond that layer and really look at, say, how a team lured the opponent into a specific space to win the ball and launch an attack, that’s just incredibly fascinating to me. Because it shows that it’s not just “22 guys chasing a ball for 90 minutes.” Sure, a 0-0 game is rarely thrilling for the emotional fan, but tactically, it can still be complex and captivating – just on a different level.

NOUMAN: I totally get the thrill of a last-ditch tackle in the 94th minute, it’s raw, it’s heroic, and it gives you goosebumps. But I’d say a perfectly timed pressing trap carries its own kind of drama. It's like watching a well-executed heist unfold. The anticipation builds as players subtly shift, cut off passing lanes, and lure the opponent into a false sense of security. Then – boom – the trap is sprung, the ball is won high up the pitch, and within seconds you’re creating a scoring chance. It might not come with the same physical crunch, but the emotional payoff is just as big, especially when you realize it was orchestrated long before the moment actually happened. It’s football played like chess, and that can be just as thrilling as a sliding tackle on muddy turf.

Doesn’t viewing the game primarily through an analytical lens take away a bit of its magic?

NOUMAN: I don’t think analysis takes away the magic. I think it reveals a different kind of magic. Watching the game emotionally, feeling the tension, the joy, the heartbreak is one kind of experience, and it’s beautiful. But when you start to understand why things happen, you gain a deeper appreciation for the brilliance behind the scenes. A clever rotation, a subtle off-the-ball run, or a well-timed press becomes just as thrilling as a 30-yard screamer. For me, tactics don’t replace the emotion, they enhance it. It’s like watching a great film: you can enjoy it as a fan of the story, but knowing the cinematography, the writing, or the direction gives you a whole new layer of appreciation.

Are you still able to enjoy a match unfiltered – just soaking up the atmosphere, the duels, the raw emotion – or does your brain automatically switch to analysis mode once the ball starts rolling?

NOUMAN: To be honest, it’s a bit of both. There are definitely moments where my brain switches straight into analysis mode and I start noticing shape, movement, pressing triggers, and all those little tactical cues. But I still absolutely enjoy the raw emotion of the game. A big goal, a fierce tackle, the roar of the crowd, that stuff hits me just like it always has. I think the key is balance. Some matches I watch with a notepad in hand, especially if I’m creating content. But other times, I’ll let go, sit back, and just enjoy the chaos and beauty of football like a kid again. At the end of the day, analysis has made me love the game more, not less.

ROCKO: I usually watch Arminia games twice. Once live – or rather re-live in the evening after the kids are asleep – and once for the analysis. When I’m watching it “live” for myself, I’m fully emotional. I jump up after goals, I yell at the screen when things go wrong. Maybe I’ll rewatch a goal or mistake to see what went well or poorly, but once that moment’s over, the analysis switch turns off again. When I watch other teams, I’m not emotionally invested – no club besides Arminia really touches me emotionally. But even then, I can turn off the tactical lens and just enjoy football for what it is. Especially with games like the ones Barcelona and Inter Milan played recently.

Are there games where the atmosphere pulls you in so much that you have to consciously hold yourself back to stay analytical? And is it harder to analyze when you have an emotional attachment to one of the teams?

ROCKO: Most of the time, I don’t want to switch to the analytical level – I want to enjoy football, and the emotions are essential to that. But when I was at the Viktoria Köln match in the stadium, I did catch myself now and then discussing tactics with my best friend. That’s mostly because being at the stadium gives you a completely different view – you can see all 22 players at once. That’s also why clubs and most analysts work with tactical camera footage where the full field is always visible. You see patterns and connections that the TV broadcast simply doesn’t show. Strangely, I’d say it’s easier for me to analyze Arminia than other teams – because I care deeply, and that makes me even more curious about the why behind what’s happening. I don’t think I could properly analyze a team I feel completely indifferent about.

NOUMAN: Absolutely, there are definitely games where the atmosphere is so intense that I have to consciously hold myself back to stay analytical. Matches like big finals can be electric, the noise, the passion, the stakes all pull you in emotionally. In those moments, it’s natural to get caught up in the drama and the narrative rather than the tactical details. And yes, it’s definitely harder to analyze objectively when you have an emotional attachment to one of the teams. Your heart wants one thing, but your brain is trying to be impartial. I think that tension actually makes the viewing experience richer. It reminds me that football is more than just strategy; it’s a deeply human game full of passion and identity. When I’m creating content, though, I try to step back and separate those feelings to give my audience a clear, thoughtful perspective.

Which team, from an analyst’s perspective, is playing the most beautiful football in the world this season?

NOUMAN: This season, from an analyst’s perspective, Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique has been playing some of the most beautiful football in the world. What’s impressive isn’t just their results, it’s how balanced and cohesive they’ve become. Luis Enrique has instilled a clear tactical identity, emphasizing structured buildup play, intelligent movement off the ball, and a collective pressing system that doesn’t rely solely on individual brilliance. They’ve transitioned from a star-driven team to a fluid, well-oiled unit that controls matches through both possession and positional discipline. Watching them is a masterclass in modern tactical football, and it’s been fascinating to analyze how they’ve evolved into such a complete side.

ROCKO: Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder. Some people probably enjoy defensive football – but I prefer offensive teams that can control possession and transition play. I find Barcelona extremely fascinating – of course, partly because of players like Yamal, who just opens up so many options for them. But also because their back line plays higher than any other team I’ve seen this season. It’s just fun to watch, and it’s great to see Barça play that way again. PSG is also a lot of fun to watch right now. They’ve finally formed a real team, and with Luis Enrique on the sidelines, they have an incredible coach. Of course, in terms of likability, PSG still ranks pretty low.

Rocko, can you imagine going fully pro with tactical analysis – for example, working as a journalist for a newspaper / TV or as a video analyst for a club?

ROCKO: I could imagine it in principle – football has always been my passion. But honestly, I think the path is almost impossible. I have a good job, a family, and working for a club is incredibly time-consuming. If I had started earlier, maybe there would’ve been another path. But making that transition now is probably very difficult. Still – if the opportunity somehow came up, I’d definitely be open to it.

Nouman, given your numbers I'm assuming tactical analysis is already a career. But what about you, is there a career path you’re still looking into?

NOUMAN: You’re right, with the growth of my channel, tactical analysis has already become a big part of my career. But yes, I’ve definitely thought about going fully pro with it. Working as a tactical analyst for a club or even as a journalist for a major sports outlet is something I’d be open to, especially if it allows me to dive even deeper into the game and collaborate with others who share the same passion. I’ve already started taking football coaching courses here in Ontario to build a more formal foundation, and that’s been incredibly eye-opening. At the end of the day, whether it’s through YouTube, media, or inside a club environment, my goal is the same, to understand the game at the highest level and help others see football in a new light.

Huge thanks to Nouman and Rocko for taking the time to answer my questions. And if you now are curious about or even thinking about getting into analytics, this toolkit by Liam Henshaw might be a good place to start.