The new Premier League season has begun, marking the first without Pep Guardiola after his decade-long tenure. The opening weekend's nine fixtures, played from Friday to Sunday, presented a noticeable change in tactical approaches across the league.
A significant trend observed was that in six of the nine matches, the team with considerably more possession did not secure a victory. For instance, Liverpool held 60% possession and recorded 27 shots but only managed a draw, while Manchester United, with 71% possession, were defeated by Hull. Tottenham also lost 3-0 despite having 60% possession.
Beyond possession statistics, the games showcased striking rhythms, including a high number of substitutions in the latter stages and a pronounced level of targeted physicality. Matches were defined by rapid breaks and powerful players, indicating a further increase in the league's hyper-physicality.