Marcelo Bielsa - Tactics

[yojambo]

Im sure there was a tactics thread started, but i can't find it.

Anywho - This is a great read. About Marcelo Bielsa and his work with Athletic Bilbao last year.

http://chalkontheboots.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/marcelo-bielsa-method-in-the-madness/


Marcelo Bielsa – Method in the Madness

APRIL 27, 2012 14 COMMENTS
Athletic Bilbao face Atletico Madrid in the final of this season’s Europa League final following their pulsating 4-3 aggregate success over Sporting Lisbon last night. The game will mark their first appearance in the final of a European Competition since 1976/77 when they finished runners-up in the Uefa Cup, losing out on away goals to the all Italian Juventus side of Bettega, Tardelli et al.
On their path to the final, Athletic had dispatched such luminaries as AC Milan, Barcelona and enjoyed a semi final triumph on away goals over RWD Molenbeek (from Belgium in case you are wondering).
The route to this final has seen them eliminate Lokomotiv Moscow, Man Utd, Schalke and Sporting Lisbon from the knock out phase. Initially viewed as outsiders, Athletic are now the favourites for the competition.
Yet the man who delivered European football to Athletic, Joaquin Caparros, has not been around to enjoy it. A victim of the club’s presidential elections in the summer, despite steering Athletic to 6th place in La Liga and reaching the final of the Copa del Rey last season, Caparros’ contract was not renewed. Doubts over Caparros ability were surfacing, his image tarnished as being nothing more than a long ball merchant. Despite the traditional of direct football at Athletic, support for him was declining. In opportunistic fashion, the incoming President, Josu Urrutia, aware of the shifting mood, promised to deliver Marcelo Bielsa as manager if he won the election.
He did and he duly delivered Bielsa
His arrival at Athletic has generated considerable media interest which has only heightened and continually increased since their extremely impressive performances when defeating Man Utd home and away.
It had been 13 years since Bielsa last managed a club side, an ill-fated 6 game spell in charge of Espanyol which ended with his departure for the Argentine national side and Espanyol sitting in 18th position in La Liga.
How would his strict ideals for fast attacking football fit in with the physical robust football of Athletic?
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo “el loco” Bielsa is an idiosyncratic, obsessive character. With a thorough tactical mind and a desire for attacking football, he perfectly straddles the traditional Menotti – Bilardo dichotomy in Argentinean football.
Countless stories exist about Bielsa and his eccentricity / genius. From pacing out the length and width of opponents pitches in advance of delivering his final tactical instructions to his team, to soaking training pitches heavily prior to a session commencing due to weather forecasts suggesting heavy rain on the day of a game.
With his now famous squatting position in the technical area, a keen journalist observed how Bielsa, during a game against Villarreal, took exactly 13 paces across the technical area before squatting down again each time Villarreal attacked. This could not be a coincidence. Was this another example of his attention to detail? The same number of paces marking a ritual?
“What is coincidence, is that when there’s such a nice game going on, someone spends time counting my paces.” was Bielsa’s deeply unimpressed response.
Always an innovator, the tactical developments he has made have heavily influenced a number of key themes in the modern game especially at Barcelona were Guardiola cites Bielsa as the “best coach in the world”.

Marcelo Bielsa - A Madman​

The Set Up
“Our simple ethos is this: we try and win the ball back as quickly as possible from our opponents as far up the field as we can. And by that I mean everyone is involved in regaining the ball, from the forwards through to anyone else”
“Then once we have the ball, we try and find a way of getting forward as quickly as possible, in a vertical direction if you like. But we don’t get frustrated if we can’t get it forward immediately, we aim to be comfortable on the ball, and if it’s not a case of going forward straight away, we keep it.”
Bielsa adopted a 3-3-1-3 formation with both Argentina and Chile (detailed below).

Chile Starting Team vs Brazil - 2010 World Cup​

As can be seen above, the team was more or less split into two units. The 4 defensive players comprising the three defenders and the defensive midfielder and the 6 attacking players comprising the two wing backs and un enganche y tres punta (a playmaker and three forwards). As Bielsa himself outlines, the idea was to play the game in your opponents half of the pitch, hold a high defensive line and press your opponent very aggressively. An attacking but physically demanding system to employ.
Arrigo Saachi spoke of there being an ideal 25 metres between centre-forward and centre-back and Bielsa shares this sentiment even allowing for the liberalisation of the offside law, something which Saachi’s great Milan never had to contend with. The high line must always be accompanied by an intense press.
He recognises the importance of the rapid movement of the ball from front to back to catch opponents off balance, but he also sees the value in retaining possession, which is what differentiates him from the likes of Egil Olsen, a coach who always prioritises position on the field over possession and favours a percentage based approach to football in the Reepian tradition.
The wing backs push forward to support the wingers, creating 2 on 1’s against opposing full backs. Interestingly, the full back normally goes on the inside of the winger. The wingers stay high and wide to stretch the opponents defence creating the gaps which the full backs, when attacking, and the midfield runners from the second line can exploit.
There was no specific No10 with Chile. Playmaking duties can be attributed to a few differing players, and in that respect, Bielsa again aligns himself with the Saachian notion of whoever had the ball was the regista. Similarly, Bielsa talks about the value in squeezing the game into a 25-metre area, another Saachian trait.
Always the innovator, Bielsa pioneered the use of defensive midfielders in the defensive line to aid distribution. With superior passing ability, a defensive midfielder can circulate the ball quickly and their increased mobility compared against traditional central defenders allows the higher line to function better.
Using midfielders in the defensive line also increases the flexibility of the team to adapt to differing circumstances. If the opponent had two strikers, Chile would adopt a back three. If the opponent switched to 1 or 3 strikers, Chile would respond accordingly, always keeping one defender extra at the back.
Bielsa enjoyed contrasting fortunes with his native Argentina and Chile. Despite arriving as favourites for the 2002 World Cup, Argentina failed to qualify from the group stage. One of the reasons cited for the poor showing of Argentina was severe fatigue from arduous domestic campaigns preventing the players from fulfilling the extreme physical demands demanded by the Bielsa model.
Yet this contrasts sharply with Chile, although expectations were lower, his success here was still considerable. His achievements here partially stem from inheriting a group of young players from the Chile U20 team which finished in 3rd place at the 2007 U20 World Cup. Players such as Sanchez, Medel, Carmona and Vidal emerged from that team and form the backbone of the current international set up.
Chile has no particular footballing identity or traditions unlike some of its South American neighbours such as Argentina and Brazil . The Chileans bought into Bielsa’s methods and a team that finished bottom of South American World Cup qualifying group in 2002, qualified easily in 2010, finishing second. The willingness of Bielsa to play the young players promoted from the U20 team, fast tracking them to the first team was central. Young impressionable minds who were physically fit and accepting of the exacting Bielsa philosophy.
Despite a second round defeat to Brazil in 2010, Bielsa and his players gained considerable recognition and appreciation not least because of their extreme attacking mentality at a time of increased conservatism in the game and the proliferation of a defensive minded 4-2-3-1 approach.
Given all of the above, how would he fare with Athletic?
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic are widely considered the most “English” of Spanish sides with a reputation for a direct style of play which dates back to the management of the influential Fred Pentland in the late 1920’s and 1930’s.
Pentland was regarded as a radical coach who favoured a short-passing game (still comparably long by modern standards. His was definitely not a tiki-taka approach) but he liked his central defenders and centre-forwards big and robust. The likes of Fernando Llorente and Fernando Amorebieta are the modern incarnations of that tradition.
Athletic retain a direct, but not long ball, style.
The signing policy of Athletic is well documented. However loose and flexible it has become in recent times, Athletic can still only play Basques or those coming through la cantera (the literal translation is the quarry. Players, like diamonds, are found in the quarry / ground and polished, becoming the finished article). Athletic can, and have, plundered neighbouring teams for their best players such as Joseba Exteberria, Javi Martinez, David Lopez and Gaizka Torquero but there will always be a considerable reliance upon la cantera for future players too.
Upon joining Athletic, Bielsa did not ask for any new signings, working with the existing squad. Interestingly, at the start of the season, Bielsa jettisoned a number of senior players at Athletic. Whether they were considered unable to adapt to the Bielsa methods physically or would challenge his methods intellectually is open for debate.
The key ingredients existed from the outset for Bielsa to succeed.
The tradition for a direct style of football played at a high tempo was central to both Athletic and Bielsa. The reliance upon young players from la cantera gave Bielsa the opportunity to again mould young players to his footballing philosophy just as he did with Chile.
Like la cantera, Bielsa has found fertile ground at Athletic.
The Start
In pre-season Bielsa used varying formations with players operating in a number of different positions. The pre-season game against Spurs demonstrated his willingness to consider a range of possibilities and ideas in search of answers.

Athletic vs Spurs - Second Half Line Up​

The use of a back three was in response to Spurs playing two strikers whilst Gabilondo and Torquero were positioned on the wings as Bielsa sought the correct solution.
This experimentation continued into the early league games. A lack of structure and cohesion leading to decidedly poor performances with the team lacking clarity as they toiled with the implementation of Bielsa’s ideas. The odd line ups continued too, only serving to add confusion to the team as players found themselves fulfilling new roles and adapting to a completely new method of playing.
The case of Oscar De Marcos is a perfect example. Notionally a striker or winger, he started the season playing at left back against Rayo Vallecano. The following week he was in midfield against Espanyol before moving back to left back and then left wing back.
With no wins in their opening 5 games, this was Athletic’s worst start to a league in 32 years accumulating just 2 points. Athletic travelled to Sociedad for the Basque derby in September and the formation changed again, back to a 4-2-3-1, a recognised formation and one they players were assured with, but more importantly than that, players were now adjusting to the Bielsa style and being played in appropriate positions.
De Marcos was now firmly in midfield, deployed as a shuttler moving back and forth, linking with the attack. Autenexte had been brought back into the fold at left back. A proper left back and a good one. Llorente had adjusted to actually moving across the front line as opposed to being stationary waiting for the ball to land on his head. His new role required much greater movement than he had been used to.
A double from Llorente sealed the points and Athletic began moving forward with some purpose. The win brought belief as well as a healthy dose of relief, easing the pressure on Bielsa.
It has taken time for Bielsa time to settle in Bilbao. Upon arrival he began instigating radical changes, offloading nine players and training became far more theoretical with key moves repeatedly practised on the training ground. This represented a clear departure from Caparros and Bielsa himself acknowledged the early errors which he made.
But as with Chile, the players accepted his ideas and began implementing them. And the results arrived.

 

[yojambo]

The Current Position
The team currently play in a fluid 4-3-3 system.

Athletic First Choice Starting Line Up​

Both full backs push high up the pitch supporting the wingers although Iraola is noticeably more attacking than Autenexte. It is also worth commenting that Susaeta is happy to hug the right touchline whereas Muniain starts further infield and has increased lateral movement, drifting across the pitch. This sometimes leaves Autenexte with no support in front of him at transitions. Consequently, he is slightly more cautious in his attacking play.
The central defensive pairing is Martinez and Amorebieta. Typically, Amorebieta will mark and Martinez will drop deeper to cover although this switches during games.
Unlike South America where 2 striker systems are still common, La Liga witnesses the domination of the 4-2-3-1 formation. With a single striker, the Bielsa system needs two central defenders therefore the back four is utilised. This can, and does, change during games but the back four is the default position.
Iturraspe sits deepest in midfield and is pivotal to Athletic, moving vertically between defence and midfield to destroy and create as the situation requires. The defence becomes a three when he drops deep and the midfield becomes a trio when he pushes forward. Against Man Utd, he was always close to Rooney, neutralising his overall impact on the game yet Man Utd and Rooney failed to close Iturraspe down and permitted him time and space to construct attacks.
Bielsa favours a midfield with a sitter (Iturraspe), playmaker (Herrara) and runner (De Marcos). Nominally the playmaker in midfield, Herrara shares these duties with Muniain. Similar to Chile, there is no single No10. De Marcos is the runner, breaking forward at pace to support the strikers and linking well with Susaeta and Iraola on the right.
Llorente is the central striker flanked by Muniain and Susaeta and supported by the runners from the second line.
Athletic have adopted a patient build up, happy to play laterally initially as they seek solutions to their opponents game plan. Amorebieta and Martinez are comfortable bringing the ball forward but equally, will look for Llorente or the wingers with long diagonals. This variety in developing play aids Athletic considerably. As they approach their opponents third, the pace visibly increases as they play 1-2’s and look for runners from the second line.
The role of Llorente here is key as a target man shielding the ball and providing knock downs and lay offs to the runners. A developing role and appreciation of the system allows Llorente to differentiate between holding possession when required and dispatching quickly as the circumstances dictate. The long ball and immediate knock down / pass, although still occurring in the right circumstances, has declined starkly.
Athletic often seek to overload an opponent predominantly on their right flank. Susaeta is supported by Iraola and De Marcos. With Susaeta wide, both Iraola and De Marcos have the option of moving diagonally infield. This season, 41% of Athletic’s attacks have originated on the right flank.

Athletic Attacking Down The Right​

Llorente moves towards the edge of the box, acting as a focal point for passes. Assuming he receives the ball then Susaeta moves down the touchline, drawing the full back out. As Susaeta does this, it creates the space for Iraola to drive in diagonally and either he or De Marcos can receive the ball from Llorente. Muniain, meanwhile, is drifting across, adopting a more central position and ready to receive a pass.
Athletic still retain a direct element to their play, crossing the ball and hitting long passes with an average of 23 crosses and 62 long passes per game (almost identical to last season’s statistics). One of the most noticeable characteristics about the changing direction under Bielsa is the number of short passes they play, increasing by 25% from last season. Under Caparros, Athletic were one dimensional, hitting long balls towards Llorente or Torquero favouring a 1-2-3 approach from Iraizoz to Llorente. Now, they play on average 420 short passes per game. This has aided them enormously in terms of retaining possession.
They now enjoy much more possession in each game, averaging 58% per game in La Liga compared to just 47% last season. Possession does not automatically equate to control of a game however. It is possible to control a game without possession of the ball. A fine example in a UK context was the recent performance of Newcastle away to Swansea. Swansea average 58% possession per game, making around 590 passes in the process. Newcastle were never going to compete for an equal share of possession, focussing instead on retaining shape and defending deep. Despite not having much possession, Newcastle controlled the game by controlling the space, scoring from two counter attacks and winning comfortably. There is a lesson for Athletic here.
Athletic average 58% possession per game (the third highest in La Liga behind the big two) and their pass completion rate is 79%. They retain their shape when pressing far better than Chile and avoid hunting in packs high up the pitch.
Their discipline when pressing has prevented them falling into the same trap as Chile – conceeding cheap fouls and picking up needless yellow cards. Athletic concede far fewer fouls compared to Chile who were prone to being caught too high and committed a number of cynical fouls to allow the team to regroup. Athletic have avoided this. They have a relatively low figure of just 15 fouls conceded per game.
In the defensive phase of the game Llorente splits the centre backs and closes them down whilst the wingers Susaeta and Muniain close down the full backs, supported by either De Marcos or Herrara respectively. When the opponent switches play, say from their left flank to their right flank, this is the moment when Susaeta drops back into position and Muniain advances to close down his opponent.
Both Susaeta and Muniain track back consistently to win the ball. Indeed, one of the defining moments for Athletic this season has been witnessing Muniain in a sort of perpetual motion shuttling back and forth on the left wing with short, sharp sprints as he presses opponents. For a precocious attacking talent, his workrate is phenomenal.
One of the central defenders marks the opposition striker whilst the spare defender sweeps. Iturraspe will stay in midfield or drop into defence, again in response to the opposition’s attacking set up.
Bielsa has married the best of the Athletic ways with his own philosophy. The direct, vertical nature at an increased tempo with constant movement and sharp exchanges of passes.
“We always go out to attack our opponents and go for victory,” Bielsa said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but we won’t alter the style of play we have.”
One of the reasons why it sometimes does not work, is the weaknesses within the system which opponents can take advantage of.
Weaknesses
Similar to Chile, Athletic are vulnerable to the counter attack and specifically in two areas.
There is space behind both full backs, especially Iraola who attacks much more than Autenexte. This can be exploited by long diagonals in behind the full backs which pulls the centre backs wide. Javi Martinez does not enjoy moving wide at all and is weak when forced to turn quickly.

Athletic - Weak Defensively on the Flanks at Transitions​

​

The space behind both Iraola, and to a lesser extent, Autenexte can be seen above.
Some opponents have sought to attack in this area with quick kick outs from the goalkeeper. PSG attempted it in the Europa League group phase match and on occasion last night, Patricio in the Sporting goal also looked for his wingers, usually Diego Capel. The problem for opponents is when they get pushed back too far, the team takes longer as a unit to move back upfield and Athletic can regroup.
Secondly, when Athletic press, both Herrara and De Marcos push very high supporting the attack to provide opportunities for combination play and provide options from the second line. This leaves Iturraspe with two choices. He can stay close to the centre backs and leave space in front of himself or he can push further forward and leave space behind him. Either way, the central area can also be exposed in a quick counter attack by a clever opponent.
Athletic typically have 12 shots at goal per game yet opponents have 15 shots per game. Athletic need to adjust slightly to close off the defensive weakness within their game without negating their attacking impetus. It’s an extremely difficult balancing attack to achieve.
Due to the incessant attacking under Bielsa, games sometimes flow end to end which makes for enthralling viewing for the neutral but which demonstrates the lack of control Athletic have over proceedings. Defensively, they sometimes appear chaotic as players recover and move back into position whilst also attempting to press the opponent.
The key for Athletic is taking the next step - channel the possession into a more controlled and measured approach and then create and convert chances.
Cup Team?
Perhaps unfairly, although to a degree understandable at the time, Athletic have been written off as a cup team this season.
At what point do you stop being labelled a cup team? Is it after qualification for a national cup final or qualification to a European final? Or is it both? Surely Athletic must now be recognised for what they are? A very good team.
Athletic now sit 6th in La Liga just 4 points behind Malaga who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place. With 4 games remaining, they retain an outside chance of securing a Champions League position especially in a season when no side has taken a secure hold over 3rd or 4th place. Valencia appear to be imploding in the death throes of the Unai Emery era whilst neither Malaga or Levante seem to have the stamina to make it over the finishing line. Achieve league consistency for the final few games and the Champions League place could be yours.
The cup team specialist tag appeared to surface for two reasons:- the physical demands of the system and their small squad.
Athletic struggled to maintain their performance level in successive games, being unable to manage back to back victories for some time. The physical demands of the Bielsa system are too great and Athletic are susceptible to conceding late goals the critics claimed. They provided the “evidence”. Real Betis scored in the 90th minute to win 2-1, Sporting Lisbon scored twice in the last 15 minutes to win 2-1 in the Europa League first leg and Sporting Gijon equalised in the final minute to salvage a draw.
Yet this conveniently overlooks the late goals that Athletic themselves have scored this season e.g. Muniain against Man Utd, Muniain and De Marcos against Schalke, Llorente and De Marcos away to Granada and of course, the crucial goal by Llorente after 87 minutes against Sporting Lisbon which secured their place in the Europa League final.
Secondly, the poor run of form following the Man Utd victories led some to argue that the demands of the system were incompatible with a small squad. The drop in form coincided with an intensive period of games in February and March. As the pressure has eased and midweek fixtures reduced, Athletic’s form has picked up.
When operating with a pool of around 18 first team players, rotation becomes difficult and the drop in quality between a first choice like Llorente and a squad player such as Torqero is considerable. This is not to denigrate the qualities that Torqero brings to the squad but they differ considerably from Llorente and the drop in class is apparent.
Next Steps
So what now for Bielsa and Athletic?
A Copa del Rey final awaits against Barcelona and a Europa League final against Atletico. Leaving aside the potential trophies, the next step in the process is the arguably the most interesting, and from an Athletic perspective, vital, step.
How does Bielsa develop Athletic?
Bielsa’s team may not have had the same calibre of players as a side such as Man Utd, but with six players aged 22 years or under starting against United, they are a team which has the potential to develop.
If, and it’s a massive if, he can keep the likes of Llorente, Muniain, Susaeta etc together. Llorente has one season remaining on his contract. If he refuses to sign an extension, it seems inconceivable that the club would keep him and lose out on a sizeable transfer fee.
Thereafter, can la cantera continue to produce young players who can make the grade?
If Bielsa delivers silverware, it makes the job of retaining these key players easier. The Basque country enjoys more favourable taxation than elsewhere in Spain and Athletic are a wealthy club. The players would be financially secure staying at Athletic but is that the extent of their ambitions?
Off the pitch, the club will shortly move to the new San Mames and further investment is planned for the training academy at Lezama to support la cantera and the future stars of Athletic.
If the squad can be kept intact for one more season, with Athletic warding off the predators who are surely likely to tempt them in the summer with large transfer fees for key players, and if the understanding and acceptance of his system continues, could Athletic challenge for 3rd in La Liga?
Valencia are likely to be under new management and Malaga are still under development. With Sevilla and Atletico continuing to be inconsistent, the time is ripe for a team to establish themselves as the 3rd force in Spanish football.
Is it Athletic’s time?
When asked about his methods and idiosyncracies, Bielsa responded
“A man with new ideas is mad – until he succeeds”
With Athletic, el loco Bielsa can keep his name and succeed.

 

[mill]

Very good manager. I like the 3313 formation, he won the 2004 Olympics with it with Argentina

 

[Bus-Conductor]

That Chile team deserved to beat Brazil in 2010 WC.

I would imagine Bielsa has influenced AVB too.

If you've read AVB's biography you'll recognise the nucleus of his ethos too. The high line, the hard press, vertical transition but with the emphasis on retention rather than going forward aimlessly.

The stuff about using young players (Chile/AB) whose minds he could mould to his philosophy resonates particularly with me as this is the most disappointing thing about AVB this season for me and just a couple of days I said something similar:


http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/ratings-vs-southampton.96960/page-6#post-3317496

For me, the single most disappointing aspect of AVB's first season in charge is that he didn't do what he tried to do at Chelsea and phase out some senior players who are clearly not conducive to his methodology and bring in younger development squad players who have been well schooled already in the principals AVB himself believes in - high tempo, press, pass, move - who would have brought this vim and vigour to the team with very little sacrifice to ability (Dempsey, Hudd, Lennon e.g.)

Some of those players may not be world beaters either, but they would have been a better match for his system.

 

[yojambo]

That Chile team deserved to beat Brazil in 2010 WC.

I would imagine Bielsa has influenced AVB too.

If you've read AVB's biography you'll recognise the nucleus of his ethos too. The high line, the hard press, vertical transition but with the emphasis on retention rather than going forward aimlessly.

The stuff about using young players (Chile/AB) whose minds he could mould to his philosophy resonates particularly with me as this is the most disappointing thing about AVB this season for me and just a couple of days I said something similar:


http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/ratings-vs-southampton.96960/page-6#post-3317496

For me, the single most disappointing aspect of AVB's first season in charge is that he didn't do what he tried to do at Chelsea and phase out some senior players who are clearly not conducive to his methodology and bring in younger development squad players who have been well schooled already in the principals AVB himself believes in - high tempo, press, pass, move - who would have brought this vim and vigour to the team with very little sacrifice to ability (Dempsey, Hudd, Lennon e.g.)

Some of those players may not be world beaters either, but they would have been a better match for his system.

Haven't had chance to read his biography yet but for sure i can certainly see the similarities.

I totally agree that it would be great to see the younger players come through and be moulded to AVB's preferred system.
I actually believe he would of had that approach had he come to us straight from Porto and not via Chelsea. I just think that achieving a CL spot was the main goal this season so he has had to work towards that. You can imagine if he implemented a new style of play with young inexperienced players and we finished 8th or so he would of been (wrongly) crucified by the press, and some fans - not that that should really have an impact but you know what i mean.

Perhaps he is working in more of a reverse way to Biesla at Athletic - That we are solid (up until recently) we have conceded fewer shots on goal than any other PL team. And next season (hoping we qualify for CL) the media pressure will be off a bit, some of the older, under-performing players can be moved on and we can see a shift to AVB's preferred system / philosophy

 

[jolsnogross]

If you've read AVB's biography you'll recognise the nucleus of his ethos too. The high line, the hard press, vertical transition but with the emphasis on retention rather than going forward aimlessly.

I think the part in bold is informative. There's no team that sets out to attack aimlessly, but there is an aimless quality to retention for retention's sake. I would say one of our biggest failings this season has been aimless retention rather than going forward purposefully. We've had so many boring games against middling opposition and it's this stagnant approach that causes it. I prefer the articles that suggest AVB wants us to pressure the ball high up the field and then do something with it quickly. Not stroke it around trying to accumulate passing stats. More direct passing up field - with more chances taken to get into scoring positions, will pay off compared to the Swansea/Rodgers model of keeping the ball while the centre-halves gather up fantastic pass completion stats.

 

[absolute bobbins]

I love Loco Bielsa, his unique style his screwing over of Espanyol and taking the Athletic Club job.
It's got to be one of the hardest jobs in world football. All players must have Basque ancestry, it'd be the equivalent to Newcastle only playing Geordies

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Haven't had chance to read his biography yet but for sure i can certainly see the similarities.

I totally agree that it would be great to see the younger players come through and be moulded to AVB's preferred system.
I actually believe he would of had that approach had he come to us straight from Porto and not via Chelsea. I just think that achieving a CL spot was the main goal this season so he has had to work towards that. You can imagine if he implemented a new style of play with young inexperienced players and we finished 8th or so he would of been (wrongly) crucified by the press, and some fans - not that that should really have an impact but you know what i mean.

Perhaps he is working in more of a reverse way to Biesla at Athletic - That we are solid (up until recently) we have conceded fewer shots on goal than any other PL team. And next season (hoping we qualify for CL) the media pressure will be off a bit, some of the older, under-performing players can be moved on and we can see a shift to AVB's preferred system / philosophy

I actually concluded what I said in the other thread by saying this may be down to his experiences with Levy and Abramovic.

I hope your assessment is true and he gains enough trust this season to be able to be bolder next year tactically and with the younger players who would be far more conducive to what I want to see (and if his book is believed, what he believes in).

 

[beats1]

They way he setup Bilbao last season was the reason they won they dont have quality of good english teams but all their player suit the way he plays and they know what they need to do on the pitch. Against United the players ran the heart and Bilbao did brilliant until the main group of players were overrun and this led to them even not making the euro's because they were desperate for a rest

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I think the part in bold is informative. There's no team that sets out to attack aimlessly, but there is an aimless quality to retention for retention's sake. I would say one of our biggest failings this season has been aimless retention rather than going forward purposefully. We've had so many boring games against middling opposition and it's this stagnant approach that causes it. I prefer the articles that suggest AVB wants us to pressure the ball high up the field and then do something with it quickly. Not stroke it around trying to accumulate passing stats. More direct passing up field - with more chances taken to get into scoring positions, will pay off compared to the Swansea/Rodgers model of keeping the ball while the centre-halves gather up fantastic pass completion stats.

But that is as much a consequence of having brainless nitwits like Lennon, Defoe and Dempsey as attacking creative options. I do agree that none of our regular CM's are quick thinkers though (including Hudd). This area needs to improve as well. I was disappointed we didn't use Carroll more in this respect, especially lately. he might not be a world beater but what's the point of developing a player like him who's game is all about passing, movement and incision and then picking an old plodder like Hudd instead of him. It's a waste of years of development time.

 

[jolsnogross]

But that is as much a consequence of having brainless nitwits like Lennon, Defoe and Dempsey as attacking creative options. I do agree that none of our regular CM's are quick thinkers though (including Hudd). This area needs to improve as well. I was disappointed we didn't use Carroll more in this respect, especially lately. he might not be a world beater but what's the point of developing a player like him who's game is all about passing, movement and incision and then picking an old plodder like Hudd instead of him. It's a waste of years of development time.

I agree that Carroll could use more time on the field, but you're way to harsh on Hudd. He's arguably the most accomplished passer of the ball at the club. He's probably the most two-footed player there too. He does dawdle on the ball too much, which adds to the meme that he's too slow. But I reckon he's not too slow to be a modern central midfielder if he can be a bit more urgent in possession and not get caught in possession so much. That also requires a bit of dynamism from his team mates around him.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I agree that Carroll could use more time on the field, but you're way to harsh on Hudd. He's arguably the most accomplished passer of the ball at the club. He's probably the most two-footed player there too. He does dawdle on the ball too much, which adds to the meme that he's too slow. But I reckon he's not too slow to be a modern central midfielder if he can be a bit more urgent in possession and not get caught in possession so much. That also requires a bit of dynamism from his team mates around him.

He's not getting quicker. Nature doesn't do that.

 

[jolsnogross]

He's not getting quicker. Nature doesn't do that.

He doesn't need to get quicker in terms of pace, just more urgent/determined, which can come with experience. If I compare him to Holtby, I've gotta say I'd prefer Hudd at the moment. Holtby does a lot of quick running around, but it appears more of the headless chicken variety. Hudd sets tempo, distributes accurately forward and to the wing, and releases players with passes into their stride.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

He doesn't need to get quicker in terms of pace, just more urgent/determined, which can come with experience. If I compare him to Holtby, I've gotta say I'd prefer Hudd at the moment. Holtby does a lot of quick running around, but it appears more of the headless chicken variety. Hudd sets tempo, distributes accurately forward and to the wing, and releases players with passes into their stride.

Trouble is he's setting the tempo to "slow and over hit" factor 3.

Go look in the Hudd thread, I've listed his games this season. There is no "tempo setting" in any of them. Maybe you just haven't watched him much over the last seven years, but the player you are describing isn't the one that has largely been a bit part disappointment for several years.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Pochetino style is similar and he has been coached by Bielsa that is someone we should keep our eye on.

 

[Dharmabum]

Pep Guardiola comes full circle for a reunion with Marcelo Bielsa

The Barcelona manager's final game will be against the man to whom went for advice upon first considering a career as a coach in 2006
Marcelo Bielsa was there at the start and he will be there at the end. Back in October 2006, before Pep Guardiola took his first steps as a coach, one of the men from whom he asked advice was Bielsa. Should he really become a football manager and, if so, how? Together with his friend the film director David Trueba, Guardiola went to Argentina on what turned into a kind of pilgrimage, travelling 11 hours to seek the wisdom of the man they call El Loco. Late into the night they spoke. Guardiola and Bielsa connected.
Legend has it that Bielsa asked Guardiola: "Do you really like blood that much?" Guardiola presumably decided that he did, just not that much. He became a coach and the most successful coach in Barcelona's history. He has won 13 titles, including three successive leagues, two European Cups and two World Club Cups. But four years later, he bows out, exhausted. The football has taken its toll and so has everything else: the relentless demands, the public profile, the battles. The blood.
This has been a difficult season. It has also been Barcelona's least successful under their manager. They have won only the Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and World Club Cup. On Friday, in Guardiola's last game as coach, they could also win the Copa del Rey. The man against him – Marcelo Bielsa, is in his first season at Athletic Bilbao.
Johan Cruyff, Guardiola's greatest mentor, describes this as the end of an era. As farewells go, it is pretty well perfect. Two of the three clubs that have spent their entire history in the first division, the two with the most Copa successes in their history – 25 for Barcelona, 23 for Athletic. Two clubs with a special identity; Catalans and Basques facing each other in Madrid. Guardiola once admitted that he would love to coach Athletic one day; when Barcelona looked to replace him, Bielsa was one of the names on everyone's lips.
On Wednesday, Barcelona's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, a former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, noted: "Bielsa would adapt well to our club." Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sánchez have played under him at international level.
If there is currently a certain mutual admiration between the clubs, between the coaches it is even greater. When Guardiola announced his departure Bielsa described it as "a huge loss for football." Guardiola described Bielsa's arrival in Spain in similarly glowing terms. La Liga had become richer for El Loco's presence. "I would have liked to have played under him: he is different to everyone else," Guardiola said of Bielsa. "Under him, Barcelona are an innovative artistic expression that's generated a culture – a counterculture," says Bielsa of Guardiola.
In the aftermath of Barcelona reaching the Copa del Rey final, Guardiola became most alive when he was asked about the opponents that awaited. "You can see Bielsa's hand at Athletic," he said. "This will be a fascinating final." He was almost open-mouthed as he talked about them and the astonishing intensity, the purity of their performance. There is no speculation and no gamesmanship, just a relentlessness to their pursuit of the opposition's goal, a generosity of spirit that the Barcelona coach admires. There was a kind of wonder about Guardiola and the fact that he was speaking in English gave it even greater charm: "They run up, they run down, they run up, they run down, they run up, they run down …"
When the two teams met at San Mamés earlier this season, it finished 2-2. Guardiola called it a canto al fútbol, an ode to football, a love song to the game. At the end, the two men embraced. "Your players are beasts," said Guardiola. "So are yours," replied Bielsa. It was moments like these which made the blood worthwhile. When the final whistle goes on Pep Guardiola's final game as Barcelona coach, they will embrace again. He has come full circle.
Josep Guardiola labels Marcelo Bielsa as "the best coach on the planet"

By Gregory Sica, March 16 2012, 0 Comments
The accomplished Barcelona coach regards 'El Loco' as being the best in the business.

Josep Guardiola, the coach of Barcelona, has labelled Athletic Bilbao counterpart Marcelo Bielsa as "the best coach on the planet," after the Argentine guided the Basque outfit to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League at the expense of Manchester United on Wednesday.

"Bielsa is currently the best coach on the planet. He provides a sense of honesty to every game where a win or a loss means the same," Guardiola, who thoroughly praised the former Chile national team tactician, declared to Spanish journal Marca.

Athletic Bilbao won home and away games against United to progress to the quarter-finals of a European club competition for the first time in 35 years. After winning 3-2 at Old Trafford, Bielsa's side went on to repeat the feat with a 2-1 win in the return leg in San Mames.

Pep also referred to the upcoming final of the Copa del Rey, where his European champions will lock horns with Bielsa's Athletic in what is expected to be a fascinating affair at the Vicente Calderon stadium in May.

"I predict the final of the Cup will be marvellous. It is a gift for him [Bielsa] to be part of this league," Guardiola concluded.

If Guardiola were to part ways with Barcelona at the conclusion of the season, Bielsa has been touted by many as being his ideal replacement. Even Guardiola himself admitted that the Argentine would be a worthy successor.