Irfan Roslan - Comments

PART 3 : FORMATIONS, TACTICS AND FRIENDLIES

In this part, we would cover along on the formations we would preserve to use throughout the season.

It is important that the team cohesion would need to be improved as our main target for the first season takeover rebuild. Because why? As if we do make frequent changes on the formations, tactics and players in our disposal, it could possible that the strong cohesion among the squad, as we intend to do so, cannot be achieved, thus would further complicate things in the upcoming season.

So let's start!

FORMATIONS & TACTICS

After we have tried to analyze the key players and underrated player in our disposal from last part, only then we can know how this could going forward here.

As any other rebuilders may prefer the tactical set-ups in this website, from my perspective, I do much prefer to do the tactics and formations from scratch. 

Starting with Attacking mentality here, which what our fans culture would like this team to perform on the pitch. I've setup 4-2-2-2 with Wingers both sides, 1 CM with Roaming Playmaker which I expecting Sancet (as in the picture above) would able to spray passes to the final third or other ways and directions which he decides to, 1 DM with the Anchor role to protect our backline, in this position I do prefer Vesga rather than Inigo Ruiz de Gallareta in terms of the veteran presence on the pitch as well as his mentality and physical aspects of the game which suits the most.

Up front, I've picked Inaki Williams pairing with Guruzeta. One holding the ball while one able to directly attack the opponent's goalposts (hope so). On the wings I would pick Nico Williams (as Williams Jr.) along with Alex Berenguer as both have the technicalities and offensive impact I would like to achieve.

On the backline, Yuri, Vivian, Yeray and De Marcos would be the favorites here. Yuri and De Marcos, already at their golden age waiting for retired, would love to serve for their team before the end of their playing days. At the center, Vivian and Yeray would complement with each other in front of Unai Simon as the last man defense.

In terms of overall instructions, I'll instruct this team to play with Higher Tempo, make Slightly Direct Passing to achieve our target of direct attacking towards the final third. Also Pass Into Space, Run at Defence, Fairly Wide and Be More Expressive for each players chosen to express themselves on what's best for them to exploit the spaces behind the backline as well as making counter-attacking as maximum width as possible using both sides of the pitch.

In terms of transition, I don't want to complicate things further, just instructing them to Counter and Counter-Press, which implements our direct counter-attacking style approach.

Out of transition nonetheless, this may affect on off-the-ball movements to easily making counter-attacking much more implementable. With High Press and Higher Defensive Line to make it more compact on opponent's half, prevent short GK to ensure the opponent's goalkeeper may not able to distribute or starting their buildup efficiently from the start. Get Stuck In here intends for each player to make efficient tackle as if our high-press is penetrable for easier counter-attack.

FRIENDLIES

For friendlies, we do face the second XI Athletic Club, Benfica, Levante, Westerlo, Marseille and Rodez AF for one of their oldest player's testimonial.

From all the friendlies, we do achieve 6 wins and 1 draw, which gratefully speaking, during last minute of Levante game at 95th minute where Vesga scores from the edge of the outer penalty box 

Actually it's quite surprising as if Vesga able to score two goals from DM position during friendlies. Guruzeta and Inaki also showing quite impressive performances by scoring bunch of goals, showing their harmony and cohesion between them to complement each other at the final third.

Besides that, after I tried observing those passing trends in our friendlies, most of the players tend to roll the ball at the middle of the pitch to progress further rather than sideways.

Except when we fight with Levante and Westerlo further which those progressive passes of the ball happened on the higher up of the pitch, mostly focused on right side which Olabarrieta and Oscar de Marcos may combine for any possible overlapping actions. This is due to both Levante and Westerlo playing in the 4-2-3-1 formation which limits the progression of the buildup through the center of the pitch.

So from those friendlies, it's not an early mistake for me to pick this 4-2-2-2 formation as the starting formation for a cohesion impact in the first season, as players seamlessly progressing the ball through the middle of the pitch. It could possible that there's some tendencies that it could be some counter-attacking phases on wing-side of the pitch after the league has started further.

So let's see how does it goes on the first half of the season further. And we'll align and make alterations as the season goes by, if nothing happens fishy.

See ya!

PART 2 : SQUAD ANALYSIS & FORMATIONS FOR 23/24 SEASON

Earlier we do go through Athletic Bilbao history, finances, cultures and expectations, and also the rough picture on how the 2023/2024 would look like.

So now, in this part, we'll go through the analysis on key players' strengths and weaknesses and how do those pros and cons may affect our ideas on how to construct the suitable formation and our own philosophy on the pitch throughout the season.

NICO WILLIAMS

Let's have a look on Nico Williams first, younger brother of Inaki Williams. Dominant on both feet, but particular on right hand side. 

His suggested role as Winger (Support) here, but can be interchangably used between Inverted Winger and Inside Forward (with his dominant both foot makes him as recognizable star player in the team)

With his strong dribbling (14), crossing (14), off the ball movements (15), technique (15) with his acceleration and agility (15 both), makes important use of any direct fast-paced counter-attack for any team implementing as such.

On the overall, his mental aspects of the game may contribute the most in this game, followed by his physical aspects.

OIHAN SANCET

Would be the ‘metronome’ at the center of the park with Athletic Bilbao. His passing (16), technique (16), flair (16), vision (15), positioning and work rate (both 15) makes it nonsense to drop him from crucial 1st XI (except to give him some rest while allowing other players to shine).

Can be played on multiple roles. Advanced Playmaker, Deep Lying Playmaker, Mezzala and Roaming Playmaker. Makes it suitable to be mix-n-match with different pairing of available midfield players according to certain situations.

DANI VIVIAN

This kind of centerback usually in my crucial shortlist on any other centerbacks to be bought. Just take a look at his highlighted attributes. His composure (15), concentration and decisions (both 14) as well as his positioning, passing, tackling and technique (all 14) with his marking and teamwork (both 15) makes it for me almost complete centerback that can be paired with any other robust centerbacks available in the game.

His overall mental aspects of the game is also very impressive, followed by his physicality. Only his technical aspects of the game shall be improved when been provided with ample amount of game time further, perhaps.

UNAI SIMON

To be the last man in defense. After Kepa Arrizabalaga left Athletic Bilbao to join Chelsea for a world-record fee of £72 million, Unai Simon directly be subject as a mainstay ever since. In terms of overall attributes, I believe he's capable of providing and implementing to all sorts of tactical philosophy on any possible team. For low-block to absorb opponent's counter-attack, his Aerial Reach (16), Command of Area and Communication (both 15) along with one on ones (15) as well as Reflexes (16) shows his overall goalposts protector impact.

INAKI WILLIAMS

Older brother of Nico Williams, already aged 30 and one of the leadership group to pivot Athletic Bilbao to its greatest achievements (yet underrated overall performances) for the past few years back.

Based on the available attributes here, he's suitable to be the main striker / duo striker rather than winger. Because of his physicality is much suitable for frontline partnership / main pivot for launching attacks.

Take a look on his dribbling, finishing, first touch, acceleration, natural fitness and pace itself, would be deadly as always when on attacking transitions.

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There's a few players worth to be mentioned so far when I'm frequently trying to rebuild Athletic Bilbao on previous Football Manager versions

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ALEX BERENGUER

This type of player for me is truly underrated and underdog which not having enough spotlights. So far using on left wing, he's quite useable to penetrate stubborn low-block teams especially on lower rank LA LIGA teams.

His work rate, off the ball, technique and especially dribbling, is more than satisfied level for me to be used frequently on left wing, especially when Nico Serrano (loan) and Jon Morcillo (free transfer to Albacete) is not at the club.

MIKEL VESGA

Considered as top-level veteran still playing in LA LIGA for now. Suitable with his title as the veteran, his mental aspects also top-notch, which may complement along with Sancet to protect his pair's back while launching counter attacks or protecting backline from being counter attacked.

His high work rate (18), teamwork (16), positioning (15), marking (14), tackling (15), composure, concentration and decisions itself (all 14) make itself the most suitable pairing as the protector of the ‘metronome’.

Last but not least……

YERAY ALVAREZ

Unsung hero in Athletic Bilbao's history after Aymeric Laporte left Athletic Bilbao for Manchester City on January 2018 for £57.2m buyout clause being redeemed by the buyer, Manchester City.

In terms of his marking and tackling (both 15) as well as his mental aspects of the game, make his presence would be considered as backline general besides Dani Vivian.

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Alright so we have highlighted the key players and players worth mentioning in my opinion. So let's take a look on how the tactics may suggest us further.

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From here, A.I suggesting that Control Possession, Gegenpress and Tiki-Taka would be the most suitable one based on our current squad.

Let's see what's the most suitable formation that we would use on the next part.

See ya!

PART 1 : INTRODUCTION

So far none have the guts to take Athletic Bilbao (or Athletic Club, safe to say) for any sort of rebuild. 

Because why?

Take a look at its strict policy. Basque-only policy. The only regionallised-based policy being practiced since La Liga founded on 1929 where one of the only three league founders (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao) that were not relegated ever since.

Unique but only hard-fought and brave heart and soul shall be able to bear its endless pain here.

Cut the rythmic one here. Let's take a look further. Shall we?

BRIEF HISTORY

Although the strict policy practised may seem quite harsh at a first glance, this kind of philosophy that make them the Spanish gladiators besides Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid nowadays. 8x Spanish Champions, 24x Copas Del Rey champion, 3x Spanish Super Cup. 

Seems not bad.

Ingrain with symbiosis within senior team and its 'cantera', its academy faculty which became their mainstay and main source of players developed and promoted to senior team while selling some highly-valued and peak players for larger profit to be circulated again for future generations development system.

Now that's to be proud of. Not all clubs able to sustain for a long time that can stay at top level unlike Athletic Bilbao. RB Leipzig, AS Monaco, FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica. All of those clubs there's up and downs, have lowest low as well. 

But somehow, magically, not happened in Athletic Bilbao here.

With the likes of Ander Herrera, Aymeric Laporte, Iker Muniain (now already left in real life) and Kepa Arrizabalaga for big fees (except Muniain, for free) leaving the club, Bilbao able to survive and sustain only by using their own 'canteras' to supply long-term plan for their title challenge until now.

FINANCES

In terms of finances, there's £ 27, 574,777 in the bank. Considered as healthy and rich perhaps, when considering Athletic Bilbao only depending on its own 'Canteras' all along. With £ 21,436,616 (to be short, £ 21.4m) should be sufficient as if there's external players outside 'Cantera'  need to be bought if deemed reasonable enough.

In terms of FFP standings, also under safe zone for now. Otherwise in the future if any circumstances may happened, player sales can't be avoided only if certain price tags are met (hopefully those release clause being triggered all along)

CLUB VISION & CULTURES

Take a look on the board visions being set-up. So far no issues at all. Achieving at least knockout stages of Europa League (European competition), qualify for Europa League at least (in La Liga standing), reach later rounds of Copa Del Rey. And the most important is to develop 'Canteras'.

When we take a look on the cultures here, among the board would be on strict Basque policy as usual. But from fans perspectives, they prefer direct attack / counter-attacking football, and execute most of the set-pieces along with high pressing.

The most important is, in terms of division rivals, our fans may expect Bilbao to achieve above Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Alaves and qualify for Europa League at least next season.

Big feat, big shoes to cope here.

THE 2023/2024 SQUAD

Now let's see how's the 2023/2024 starting season squad do we have here.

Note : The squad appearing here reflecting the latest data update from sortitoutsi database update on 24/25 season. So we considered this as the overlapped database with accordance to 2023/2024 season date in FM 2024

It's quite small squad, ain't it? This is only the rough picture.

While we take a look much more deeper here, actually we do realize that every single player is actually have decent to good experience of playing more than one fixed position. This type of thing garners flexibility for us to reflex our ideas and muscles to break apart and stitch again our squad to use the most dominant formation to be used so that every single player here can be maximised further.

Remember, every single of them able to be sold at a profit which deemed sustainable for club's finances long-term.

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That's all for the beginner part here. Next part, we shall focus on the tactics based on the player's roles, suitable instructions and expected impact on-pitch further to maximize Athletic Bilbao's success this season.

See ya!