Athletic Bilbao tactics: Post-Bielsa era

Iker Muniain

There were signs of the consolidation Valverde can bring during his time at Valencia, guiding the club from mid-table to a Europa League spot with just 5 defeats in his 26 games in charge. In contrast to Bielsa’s emphasis on high pressure and constant harrying when not in possession, Valverde will assume a greater focus on use of the ball, something that midfield prospect Ander Herrera has noticed, “now we train more with the ball at our feet” he has said.

The 24-year-old midfielder has also spoken of a role change in the coming campaign, being deployed further up the field than his usual deeper position, saying, “So far I’ve played as a midfielder. Bielsa believed that I was closer to a defensive midfielder, but this season I’m playing closer to the striker. Three years ago in Zaragoza I played more in that position and what I have to do is get used to being near the area to have chances.”

That shift of position will be permitted by the eventual £7 million signing of long-term target Benat, the combative deep-lying midfielder formerly of Betis, who will shield the defence alongside Ander Iturraspe. The versatile and creative Oscar De Marcos will operate ahead of them whilst there are big things expected from Erik Moran, the 22-year-old who has just been taken from Bilbao’s fertile production line in the Basque Country.

Herrera’s advanced role will see him lie in support of Aritz Aduriz, last summer’s signing from Valencia who took the focus away from Llorente’s struggles with 14 goals. Kike Sola has been plucked from Osasuna to replace Llorente, the 27 year old centre-forward hit 11 goals last term.

A key to Valencia’s good form under Valverde was the quick, direct wing play of Jonas and Sofiane Feghouli in support of Roberto Soldado.

In Bilbao, it is likely to be Muniain, the 20-year-old aiming to get back to his startling best of the season before last, and the gifted right-winger Markel Susaeta who are charged with linking up with Aduriz. Ibai Gomez and the hard working cult-hero Gaizka Toquero will be primed to provide attacking cover.

With a rejuvenated Muniain and Susaeta in supply of the potent Aduriz, and Herrera lurking just off the front in his new role, there will be signs of the fluid link-up that made the Bilbao of 2 years ago so fearsome. With greater impetus on keeping the ball however, there will be less need for the frenetic counter-attacking or well-drilled movement that underlined the Chilean’s system.

Under Valverde, it is likely to be a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 that relies on sharp passing into space, utilising wingers with two positive full-backs offering support.

Valverde played a huge role in tightening up Valencia’s defence last year, achieving nine clean sheets during his spell in charge and one of his first duties in the Basque Country will be to address a leaky back-four that shipped a total of 65 goals last season, only relegated Mallorca and Deportivo La Coruna conceded more.

Amorebieta’s absence will be felt immensely and it will be down to Xabier Etxieta, signed for free from the newly-promoted Elche, to provide competition to last season’s centre-back incumbents Mikel San Jose and club captain Carlos Gurpegi. Aymeric Laporte, the impressive 19-year-old French youth international, will also form a back-up option.

Valverde will also have the aggressive full-back duo of Andoni Iraola and Jon Aurtenetxe to fly forward and provide further width. Mikel Balenziaga, a left-sided player as adept on the wing as he is deeper, has been acquired from Real Valladolid for £440,000 to challenge for Aurtenetxe’s left-back spot.

Bielsa was notorious for sticking with a strict nucleus of squad players throughout the season, often facing accusations of fatigue as the season wound down, but with Valverde inheriting the luxury of a gifted squad that has been added to shrewdly, there should be no such issues under the new coach.

After failing to remain in charge at a club for longer than two years at any point during his managerial career, Valverde has a great opportunity to implement a successful project at San Mames and he may even bring back some of the excellent football that was synonymous with Bielsa, only with more ball retention, more calmness and less madness.