Analysis of tactics of Athletic (Bilbao)

January 2012

1. Core elements of playing style

The team is very attack minded, and it coupled with an aggressive fight for the ball in all episodes of play in defensive actions. * Varying the pace attack -- the buildup play is slow at the back, and then higher up there's a sudden transformation with quick movement to try to get in behind the back line. * Key elements of style in attacking actions - mainly use of the flanks to deliver the ball into the box, coalitions to 3 players on the flanks, the rapid saturation of the penalty box with a significant number of players. * The strategic element of defense is the high pressure (the team begins the ball tackling on the opponents half), a tight covering each player individually, and aggressiveness in the challenges. * The style of play is based mostly on short / medium pass Historically, the club's style differed markedly from the traditional Spanish - there have been a strong tradition of English football: the team took full advantage of the attacks down the flank, cross to the penalty area, long balls. Under the guidance of Bielsa the style of the team was retooled for use mainly short / medium pass. From the style of "Athletic" last year, long passes to the central forward are kept as an option of ball delivery to attacking line in case of the opponent's pressure. * The team is organized and shows the discipline on the field, keep the high rhythm in game throughout the match The players know their functions and required maneuvers in the game well, respect the tactical discipline and they are constantly in motion. * High morale, fighting for the ball on each part of the pitch Significant impact on the mental side of the style of the team have a Basque cultural values - dedication, courage and fight until the end. Taking into account the policy of the club only the players of Basque origin can play in the club; "Athletic" is a unique symbol of the nation and personifies it on the football field. In psychological terms the team has confidence, a strong fighting spirit. Players demonstrate a high motivation to fight in every game episode, aggressiveness in the ball tackling.

2. Formation
Main formation is used in the season is 4-2-3-1 (used in 83% of games of the season)

Pic. 1. The optimal first XI (according to the last games in Spain La Liga): 1.Iraizoz, 3.Aurtenetxe, 5.Amorebieta, 24.Javi Martinez, 15.Iraola, 8.Iturraspe, 21.Ander Errera, 10.De Marcos, 19.Muniain, 9.Llorente. Muniain can be used as attacking midfield as well. The rotation of the squad is not used. Features of the used formation: 3 all-round midfielders with different functions:

- Holding midfielder (Iturraspe) - central (Ander Errera) take free zones which happened after movements of attacking midfielder to the flank; most of the movements are vertical; links defense and midfield; actively involved in organization of the final stage of the attack. - Attacking midfielder (De Marcos) moves freely along the whole front of attack, the most actively involved in the final phase of the attack - while moving on the flank of the zone to combine in coalition of 3 players or making overlaps to the flank sides of the box. * The central striker (Llorente) is aimed at shooting, very rarely used as a "pillar" in the transition from defense to attack, prefer do flick-on. * The fullbacks actively take part in the attacks, but may move diagonally from the flank to the direction of the centre of the box. Substitutions in the last games: 1) substitution of the central striker (Toquero -> Llorente) in every game in last 2025 minutes - to keep the level of activity in the front line, both in the attacks and in the

transition to defense. Toquero demonstrates high activity in the pressure an opponent. In addition, he is more inclined to shift to the flank in the early stages of attack (attacking midfielder in this case moved the position of the center-forward), able to hold the ball. 2) Perez come in as a central midfielder or left midfielder 3) San Jose come in for the central or attacking midfielder - San Jose play on the position of central defender, and Javi Martinez go to the position of central midfield. In order to strengthen the midfield and keep active pressure in the middle of the field. Other formation used: If the rival plays with 2 forwards Athletic may use 3-3-1-3.

3. The head coach and his philosophy of the game.

Marcelo Bielsa - one of the most notorious coaches in the world. He is distinguished by its ardent commitment to football, the master custom tactical moves. Coach "Barcelona" Pep Guardiola said Bielsa man who greatly influenced his understanding of football. * Prone to attacking style of football, like the style of Ajax of Louis van Gaal (from the interview in SCI magazine: I am a big fan of the football Ajax played under Louis van Gaal. When executed properly, its winning football and great for fans, which is what we should all aspire to accomplish * He pays considerable attention to tactics and detailed analysis of the opponent in preparation for the upcoming game. Meticulous preparation of the team to each game - an imitation of action of the opponent and future conditions of the game in training (up to the game on the field with a size identical to the opponent's field or in accordance with the predicted weather conditions, for example, in the case of predicted rain he conducted training on a wet field) * Favorite formation: 3-3-1-3 and 4-2-3-1 The choice of the formation is based on the number of the forwards in the opponents first XI he wants to have one more central defender that number of the forwards (if the opponent plays with 1 forwards he prefers 4-2-3-1; if 2 forwards 3-3-1-3) * Core elements of the philosophy of the game: - An extremely high line and pressing all over the pitch - attacking minded football - keeping high rhythm in the game - The fullbacks pushing very high up and marking the opposition wingers - getting the numerous advantage in the zone of the ball and in the box

- Assists are performed from the flank (states that the considerable amount of goal threats happen after passes from the flanks) - Using as one of the central defenders of the former central / defensive midfielder prefers high pressure and thus the central defender acts in a more conventional band, more mobile, able to quickly organize an attack in the selection of the ball - Using as an attacking central midfield player flanking the former (the game is on the flanks, the shift to the flank attacking midfielder with experience of action in this area strengthening the capacity of the team in offensive actions) - The role of the fullbacks can be used by the former wingers: according to game systems from Bielsa - backs actively involved in the attack, but may move diagonally from the flank to the direction of the centre of the box. * Any substitutions are performed during a game aim at preserving / strengthening of attacking potential and keep the level of activity in high pressing * He can build the team play in accordance with the own philosophy taking into account the existing limitations in the selection of players * The management team - adherent of strict discipline and full execution of the orders. He requires from the players to fight for the ball in each game episode (from the interview to SCI Player should fight for every ball during a match. De-organization or something going wrong during a match, those are acceptable mistakes, things like that just happen. But giving up or not fighting for a ball, thats unacceptable). P. Guardiola - I admire the courage of his team, regardless of with whom they have to meet ". * M. Bielsa like and can develop young footballers (from the interview to SCI Everyone can recognize a good player. Everyone can recognize a bad player. A good coach is there to recognize the normal player that he can turn into a great player).

4. Key players of the team

Javi Martinez Key player of the defensive line and main organizer of the transition to attack. Can play as holding midfielder as well. Can play long ball; performs the best accuracy in pass (85.6% in La Liga); can join fast attacks and create momentum in fast attack realization; In defensive actions he prefers to use interceptions (he is best in the team in the interceptions done) Strong heading skills.

Muniain Universal player - can play on the wing and in central midfield

He like and able to dribble. Sometimes he overly keen on an individual actions, and often loses the ball on the opponent's half of the field (most of the ball losses - 2.9 averages per game in the games of La Liga). As a result of his loss it lead often that a large group of players are cut and the opponent performed dangerous counterattack. In attacking actions he prefers to enter using dribbling into the penalty, or execute an overlap to the side of the box. Usually he is the first player who starts pressing of the opponent after the loss of the ball at the opponent's half of the field.

Llorente Central forward and main threat to the goal of the opponent; scored most goals in the team (8 from 27) Strong heading skills. Win major part of the air challenges. Athletic uses it in the game crosses in attacks and long balls as the mean in pressing overcoming. Likes to do flicks on, is weak in holding on to the ball

De Marcos One of the most versatile players on the team - can play in any position in midfield and even used in some games in a season as a left fullback prefer to play a short pass, is able to perform sharp pass into the penalty area, like to use dribbling He is rather emotional, sometimes loses control and concentration

Ander Errera Errera Key figure in delivering the ball to the attack, in the development of fast attacks and regulation of the direction of the last phase of the attack performs the greatest number of passes per game in the team (average 55.6, with 81.1% accuracy) He has a high speed playing intellect and technically well-equipped, able to beat in the 1-in-1 Gets fouled often in attacking actions he is able to do through pass into the box (in the flank zones of the box) He is able to shoot from the distance

5. ATTACKS
. Organization of attacks.
* In the 1st stage of build-up:

Pic. 2. In the 1st stage of the attack the team prefers diagonal ball to the near partner. The goalkeeper played on one of the central defenders, a central defender on midfielder / center in the field or on the fullbacks. * In attacks the team comply with the following principles: - When pass the ball into the adjacent zone - use diagonal pass - When pass the ball through the zones - vertical pass * Midfielders in the center of the field (except the holding midfielder) move in the vertical channels on the opponent side of the field. Winger tries to position very close to the flank - stretching the defense of the opponent. Muniain is prone to cut in creating numerous advantages in the middle of the pitch it helps midfielders to get free for a pass in ball delivery to attack. Forward tries to shift to a free zone - in the center or on the flank. * In the development of attacks the ball is delivered to the middle of the field with next transition to the flank area (Pic. 3). Predominantly - to the right flank. Ander Errera plays the significant role in determining the direction of attack.

Pic. 3. Geometry of main direction of attacks * The play in attacks is supported by the fullbacks keeps the width in the attacks. As one of them take part in coalition on the flank, another one keep the width on the opposite flank and is ready to enter into the [penalty box. * In the last stage of the attacks create numerous advantages on the flank and play the triangular combinations (fullback wide midfielder attacking midfielder). Most used combinations are one-two with overlaps of the third one to the flank or to the flank zone of the penalty box. Overlaps on the flank Areola, Susaeta. Overlaps to the box De Marcos, Muniain.

Pic. 4. Final actions in attacks * Key feature to be noted in the final stage of the attacks is the fast saturation of the box with high number of players (pic. 5). There are 5 players usually in the box who are ready to attack the ball: practically 2 lines 2-3 players in the first line and 3 on the edge of the penalty box.

Pic. 5 Goal threats * Main sources of the goal threats: - crosses from the right flank (Iraola, Susaeta) - pass from the left flank zone of the penalty box (De Marcos, Muniain) The leaders in goal assist in La Liga Susaeta (4), De Marcos (3), and Muniain (2). * All the crosses/passes to the box aim at the centre of the box, even more at the centre of the keeper line. 63% of shots were performed from the box, most part from the central zone. * The accuracy of shots at goal in LaLiga 11%. Structure of scored goals in the games of La Liga 10 from 27 (37%) were scored after right flank attacks

Here are 2 options: ) in counterattacks performed diagonal ball from the center to the free zone on the flank, where the player entered into and sent the ball to the penalty box ) overlaps down the flank in triangular combinations and cross to the box 5 (19%) were scored after success in high pressing 6 (22%) were scored in corners.

Main threat to the opponents goal is Llorente scored 8 balls (4 with head); perform more shots at goal than others (2.6 per game) At the same time the wide range of players who can score - 12 players scored 1-2 goals.

B. Transition from defense to attack

Transition to build-up Varying the pace attack -- the buildup play is slow at the back, and then higher up there's a sudden transformation in getting the ball to the line of midfield. The management of ball transition to attack is performed by Javi Martinez (in most cases) and Amorebieta.

In case of high pressing of the opponent in the 1 st stage of build the player in possession often plays back-pass (more often to the partner who sends him the ball initially). The partner after receiving the back pass, send the ball in another direction another diagonal pass. In case of tight pressing of the goalkeeper the latter play long ball in direction of Llorente. If the opponent press after loss of the ball in attack pass to the flank; if any play back pass with following long ball in direction of Llorente. Fast attacks (counterattacks) * Transition to counterattacks after getting the ball on owns half: it begins with the pass to the flank, to the wide midfielder. * Main features of counterattacks: Pace movement of the group of attacking player on vertical channels in full width of the field Development of counterattacks according to the rule of the relay run with the ball on 20-25 meters then side pass to the partner who make the next run with the ball Most typical geometry of counterattack:

* Transition after ball tackling on the opponents half run with the ball towards the box or rapid diagonal to the flank

C. Set-pieces (attacks)
Corner Main threats Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Llorente. 1) The ball is crossed to the centre of the box, close to the line of the keeper box. The cross is performed by Susaeta.

5 players are in the box. Muniain attacks the ball on the far post, Aurtenexte (San Jose) on the near post; Llorente in the center. Those movements create the space for attacking the ball in centre by the players (Javi Martinez, Amorebieta) as the second wave.

Pic. 6. 2) The cross is performed along the line of the keeper box, directed to the near post. 3 players are on the edge of the keeper box and attack the ball. Javi Martinez at near post, Llorente (San Jose) in centre, Amorebieta at the far post

Pic. 7. Free kick (lateral) The cross aims at the center of the penalty box or at the near post. Main threats: Llorente (centre), Javi Martinez (near post), Amorebieta (San Jose) far post. * In some cases the team prefer fast shot pass to the near partner when send the cross

Pic. 8.

6. DEFENSE
. Transition to defense.
* The main feature = high line and pressing all over the pitch (prefer to start defensive actions on the opponents half). To be noted: Use mix of man-marking and zonal marking: if an opponent left the zone of the player of Athletic in order to receive the ball the latter, who control the zone, follows that opponent and press him in the moment of ball receiving; Ball tackling in 1-on-1; often try to play on interception.

When lost ball possession in the opponents half The nearest player press an opponent with the ball, others players of Athletic mark personally players of the opponent. The neutralization of the opponents counterattack is performed by holding midfielder and central defenders. The latters are positioned in the area of the centre circle. The one of the mentioned player tries to meet the opponent in the area of the central circle. If the counterattack is performed on high pace (due to lack of compactness on the opponents half) the defenders move down and meet the opponent with ball in area which are 10-15 meters from the box. Also the central defenders cover the flanks as fullback play high mark wingers of the opponent. In the case of fast counterattack via pass to flank fullbacks come back and take position of central defender.

. 9. Example: fast counterattack through left flank of defense. The successful mean to overcome pressing was diagonal balls to the middle of the field. When the opponent starts build-up from the back 1 option the team is like divided in 2 groups: 5 players perform high pressing on the opponents half, resembling the formation of the opponent and mark each player of the rival personally; The next group (holding midfielder and defenders) is positioned on own half. Fullbacks mark wingers of the rival man-to-man. The holding midfielder marks the rival of the

opponent in the area of the central circle. The team is rather stretched, but all the players of the rival are marked. 2nd option Llorente press an opponent with the ball; the line of midfielders is positioned at the central circle one of the players move up and press the opponent who get the ball near middle of the field (on the opponents half).

B. Defense on own half

The main defensive actions on their half of the field are performed usually 7 players: defenders, holding midfielder and 1-2 players from group of attack (usually Ander Errera and Susaeta; De Marcos and Muniain come back to defense with delay). The line of defense operates in accordance with the principles of zonal marking. The defensive line is fairly narrow - almost the width of the penalty area. If the opponent has the player who acts between the lines (defense and midfield) when he receives the ball the appropriate central defender go out to press him. The movement of the flank player of the rival to the centre draws the fullback and opens the zone on the left flank. The holding midfielder: if the rival attack down the centre he moves down to cover central defender who goes up to press an opponent, if the rival attack down the flank press the opponent or performs a diagonal covering of the player who press the opponent. Ander Errera usually moves into the zone of the ball, taking part in the ball tackling and creating numerous advantages in the area of the ball. De Marcos, when recovering to the defense, closes the central area in front of the box. Usually the players of the team tackle an opponent at the time of receiving him the ball, not allowing time for processing. Often use a sliding tackle. Often the team commits fouls of 5-10 m from the penalty area, in areas of the left and right from the box.

C. Gaps in defense
1) The creation of free space on the flank after movement of the rival winger in the center (fullback "Athletics" follow him and opens the free space on the flank). The opponent may play diagonal to the flank to the moving up opponents fullback. The situation was observed on the left flank of the defense. Muniain doesnt always chase the opponents fullback.

Pic. 10. 2) An opponents player is often free in the central zones of the box (central defender out of line to attack an opponent with the ball between the lines, fullback is not always take correct position to close the opponent coming in the center of the penalty box). The example pic. 11.

. 11 3) In the ball is losses or intercepted in the area below (pic. 12) - there is a considerable space in center field for a quick counter-attack an opponent. The central defenders prefer move to his half of the field and meet the opponent's attack 15 meters from the box. The counter-attack is successful if it develops through pass to the flank.

. 12 The counterattack is more dangerous when the cross is intercepted.

D. Conceded goals in La Liga

* In 19 games of La Liga the team conceded 23 goals. Its to be noted that 8 of them (35%) were scored in the first 5 games. * There is the trend of decreasing the amount of goals conceded in each 4 games. * In overall, there is not clear distinctive pattern in conceded goals. But all most of the goals and penalty were happened due to mistakes of defenders in positions taken in the centre of the box.

 5 from 19 goals were conceded after cross from the right flank of the defense. There is free player in the centre of the box. But : 4 players were conceded in that way in the first 5 games of La Liga. From last 10 conceded goals 4 goals were conceded after through pass into the centre of the box (2 of them after winning the rebound in the box the midfielders dont mark the opponents players who enter into the box) 2 goals were conceded after cross the ball in the direction of the far post in corners.

E. Set-pieces (defense)
Corner (pic. 13) Use predominantly man marking. Only Llorente close the dangerous zone the center of the box or the zone of the near post (position on the side line of the keeper box. Susaeta take position on the near post. Muniain is outside the box from the side of the flank from which the corner is taken. Iraola fight with an opponent in the keeper box who try to block the goalkeeper. 4 players mark opponent in the box. Amorebieta may position centrally and follow the ball. De Marcos and Ander Errera are outside the box and responsible for rebound and fast attacks development.

pic. 13 Free-kick (frontal) The wall is from the 5-6 players (jump). Muniain is free outside the box to avoid any free combination. Dont leave anyone up front. All the other players mark man-to-man. Free-kick (lateral) The wall is from 2-3 players (Susaeta/Muniain, Ander Errera) Llorente close the central zone in the box. De Marcos is free outside the box to avoid any free combination.

Other players mark opponents man-to-man.

Pic. 14 7. Recommendations - attack 1) use fast attack with overcoming the center of the filed on pace and using pass to flanks on the opponents half 2) in attacks from the back use through balls into the box; the players of attack to be ready to enter into the box from deep. 3) try to use space opened on the left flank of defense due to movement of the winger to the centre diagonals and overlaps of fullback 4) overmanning the far post in corners and cross to the far post - Defense 1) The saturation of the center of the field in order to limit the number of usual options in attacks 2) Tight pressure of Muniain with the ball (when he losses the ball it cut a large part of the team and there is the opportunity for quick counterattacks) 3) active pressure of goalkeeper in the 1st stage of the attack - in this case to be ready to fight for the ball in air with Llorente and mark attacking midfielder, who is able to get a ball after flick-on 4) Readiness to fight for the ball in air 5) Be prepared to resist a combination one-two and triangular passing on the flank Alternative possible tactics: Its potentially advantageous to play against Athletic with two strikers and highspeed wingers (playing high up on the flanks). First of all, it may cause Athletic use formation 3-3-1-3, in accordance to the philosophy of head coach. Secondly, using fast midfielders can make wing backs in this formation to act deep - that is, in fact, the team will play a 5-2-3 scheme and the potential in attacks will be reduced. Thirdly - as a consequence, it creates a significant space in the center of the field for quick counterattack or allows ball possession in the middle of fields (using 3 midfielders in the central zone).