Bournemouth are on the longest active unbeaten run in the Premier League, now 12 games without defeat.
The Cherries were up against it from the start of the season. They lost their defesive core in the summer, with Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez all leaving permanently. Kepa Arrizabalaga also left at the end of his loan deal, and didn’t return.
However, Andoni Iraola has once again found a way to make it work. Bournemouth have won five and drawn seven since their last league defeat, beating both Liverpool and Arsenal during that run.
In this article, we’ll cover
Season so far
Bournemouth actually got off to a solid start in the league, despite losing key players in the summer. The Cherries went unbeaten in their first seven games.
However, things quickly went downhill. Bournemouth lost four of their next five league matches, setting up for a rough festive period.
The Cherries find themselves in a strong vein of form once more, looking to end the season on a high. Iraola’s men are 11th in the Premier League with six games to go, but they’re only three points of Chelsea in sixth.
Bournemouth rank fifth in the Premier League for shots per game (13.81), ranking fourth for most shots on target per game (4.72). They also sit seventh for chances created per game (9.38).
Defensively, Bournemouth do concede the sixth-highest shots from inside their own box per game (8.81). And they also concede 4.00 shots per game from outside the box (ranking 10th in this metric).
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Defensive solidity
Iraola has been known for implementing a highly effective hybrid pressing structure which shifts between zonal and man-to-man.
The starting shape for this is often a 4-1-3-2, shaping up with a diamond shape midfield. This can collapse into a flat 4-4-2 when deep.
The diamond shape in midfield is key to Iraola’s pressing structure. The wingers tuck in narrow to help protect the centre, while also having the reference of the full-back outside of them when looking to apply pressure to the ball.
The opposite winger to the ball will then tuck inside to protect the central options with the advanced central midfielder (No.8). It leaves the opposite full-back free on the far side, as they are the most difficult to access.
Bournemouth look to lock on more aggressively once they trap their opponent on one side, in an attempt to win the ball back and create chances for themselves with direct attacks after regains.
Once they collapse into a more defensive 4-4-2 block, Bournemouth still look to ensure there is always good pressure on the ball, while pressing any passes towards the box/into the block aggressivley.
James Hill has been a revelation at centre-back for Iraola’s side this season. The 24-year-old ranks first for aerial duels won (4.72 per 90) and interceptions (1.78 per 90) among centre-backs in the Premier League, which has helped to bolster their defensive record this season.
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New in-possession ideas?
Much like his aggressive pressing ideas, Iraola is usually identified for his direct and attacking approach in possession. This largely focuses on getting the ball into dangerous areas as quickly as possible.
In order to do this, Bournemouth often shift into a 4-2-4 shape.. They look to entice the opposition to step onto them before launching it into the front four.
This approach has been labelled “kick and rush” as the central midfielders and full-backs will often follow the direct ball, looking to challenge for the second ball, gaining territory further forwards and generating attacks with minimal risk.
While this has been effective for the Cherries, losing Antoine Semenyo was a big loss in January as a fast and strong forward who suited this direct style of play.
Since the Ghanaian left the club, Bournemouth have had a fair few games where they have had more than 50% possession. It’s led to more of a 4-3-3 shape with a higher volume of touches and passes as they look to build attacks.
Wide triangle rotations on either side have been key to this. The full-backs are dynamic with their movement provide support runs, the wingers rotate between inside and outside positions and the midfielders looking to provoke the opposition block with dribbles.
Alex Scott is a key component to this. He often drops deeper to get a higher volume of touches, looking to provoke defensive behaviours from defenders around him before finding progressive solutions to access the space created elsewhere via his dribbles.
Iraola’s future?
It was announced a few days ago that Iraola would leave the club this summer. His contract is expiring and the Spaniard is looking for a new challenge.
A few jobs in the England could become available this summer. All of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Manchester City seem unstable with their current situations.
Iraola’s direct and aggressive approach would suit nicely with the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool who often attribute their DNA to the heavy metal style of play.
Another option for Iraola which could be appealing is a move back to Spain, to manage Athletic Bilbao, the club from his playing days.
Being Basque himself, Iraola would likely be interested in the job, depending on other opportunities available at the time, and whether he wants to test himself in the Champions League, challenging for major honours against the very best.