Twenty3’s Tactics Truck: Athletic aim for Champions League spots after cup triumph
Athletic Club have enjoyed a memorable 2023-24 season.
The Basque outfit won the Copa del Rey last weekend, beating Mallorca in Seville to end a 40-year wait for silverware.
And Athletic sit fifth in LaLiga, just two points behind fourth-placed Atlético Madrid with eight games remaining.
We’ve used the Twenty3 Toolbox to take a closer look at the tactics behind their success, as Ernesto Valverde’s team aim to secure Champions League qualification.
Valverde’s vision
Athletic have typically lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system this season.
The Williams brothers — Iñaki and Nico — have been impressive on either wing, while Gorka Guruzeta has been the main man up front, having scored 15 goals in all competitions.
Oihan Sancet, who netted in the Copa del Rey final, has been a key creative force in the No10 role — and at the back, Aitor Paredes and Dani Vivian have formed a solid partnership.
Valverde’s side are most productive in transition. They are dogged and disciplined out of possession, pressing intelligently and with irrepressible energy.
No team in LaLiga has completed more ball recoveries in the opposition’s half (1,017) or attempted more pressing duels (1,266).
That ability to constantly harry their opposition has resulted in an impressive defensive record: Athletic have conceded the second fewest goals (28) and kept the joint-most clean sheets (16) in the division.
No team has a lower xG conceded (30.07) than Athletic, who have built their success on solid defensive foundations.
Only Getafe (149) have made more high turnovers than Valverde’s unit (141), and that counter-pressing approach has allowed their attacking players to thrive.
Williams brothers
Iñaki Williams has been amongst the goals this season, scoring 11 in all competitions.
At 29, he is in his prime and playing some of the best football of his career to date.
He ranks fifth in LaLiga for dribbles completed (99), second for touches in the opposition box (135) and third for attacking duels won (159).
While the more experienced Iñaki has been a consistent goal threat from the right flank, his younger brother Nico has been more of a creator on the left.
Only Villarreal’s Álex Baena has registered more assists (nine) than the Athletic winger (eight).
Like Iñaki, Nico is quick and direct, ranking third in the division for dribbles completed (105).
The 21-year-old opts to shoot less often than his brother, ranking sixth in LaLiga for crosses completed (38).
Both players compliment each other almost perfectly, though, and opposition defenders clearly don’t relish the prospect of facing either.
If they continue their fine form until the end of the season, Athletic could well find themselves in the Champions League next term.
Key players
The Williams brothers are not Athletic’s only threat.
Sancet has been impressive, managing eight goal contributions in LaLiga.
Guruzeta has been an effective focal point, too, ranking in the division’s top ten for aerial duels attempted (169).
The striker is an excellent finisher, with a post-shot xG of 12.3, bettered by just three other players.
His ability to occupy defenders has allowed Iñaki and Nico Williams more space to do damage.
In midfield, Iñigo Ruiz De Galarreta plays an important role both in and out of possession.
The 30-year-old ranks eighth in LaLiga for ball recoveries completed in the opposition half (104).
Though they are adaptable and not entirely possession-based, Athletic do look to build from the back. Centre-back duo Vivian and Paredes lead the way for passes completed (1,081 and 1,019 respectively).
Athletic’s most important players have stepped up so far this season, and if they continue to perform then a top-four finish is well within their capabilities.
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