Has Javi Martinez pulled a Mascherano?

I can say for sure, because he can just as well play a 4231 with Iturraspe and Javi in pivot. Tomorrow, he is going to take the DM position tho

The Franchise wrote:When Javi plays at the back, what is the usual starting 11 Arq?

A 4-2-3-1 which is essentially the more standard formation:

Iraola-Amorbieta/San Jose-Javi-Aurtunexte

Susaeta-Iturraspe

De Marcos-Ander-Muniain

Llorente

Gurpegui has for some reason been relegated to the bench from Bielsa yet Suseata who is more of a wide player has thrived in the dual pivot where he is also given room to flank down the right side since Iturraspe is like 1.5 men while dropping deeper to anchor the midfield. These days though, De Marcos has been now in the dual pivot while Suseata takes his position.

Or it also could be:

3-5-2

Iraola-Javi-San Jose/Amorbiete

Susaeta-De Marcos-Iturraspe-Ander-Aurtunexte

Llorente-Muniain

4-2-3-1 works better most of the time except on occasions where the 352 is needed. Hence Schalke 2nd half.

I see.

I ask because I know more about Bielsa than I do Bilbao players to be honest.

I know when we talk about the defensive 1/3rd of the pitch, Bielsa seems to like certain things.

He seems to like centerbacks who are highly skilled on the ball (as is the norm now really) and he likes defensive midfielders who are hard nosed, gritty players who dont really have to have tremendous ability on the ball...such as Medel.

So what I was thinking is, does Iturraspe come across as that kind of player..is he more steel than silk....

I think that goes at least part of the why way Javi plays where he does.

in a 352, I certaintly think it makes sense. Because the 3 at the back are vital in terms of keeping possession and have to be good on the ball and usually with that, he wants that gritty player who moves laterally across the pitch to stamp out threats.

dnmac4 wrote:

Lord Hispano wrote:I wouldn't say it's so small, Dnmac. There are Basques in France and there's a ton in Latin America. You can be from Argentina play for Argentina but if you have Basque heritage then is there any reason why you can't play for Bilbao? Amorebieta and Lizarazu are prominent examples. Griezmann and Higuain are elligable as well.

See I just expanded the pool of players for Bilbao.

Dude, expand it all you want your comparing Basque people to the entire population of the world including Basque's. Remember it's not like Bilbao get to keep every Basque player either.

The stats are mind boggling if you look at the population they pull from compared to everyone else.

It really is pretty simple, it's like comparing the ocean to a glass of water. I mean in the 4 main leagues in Europe it's hard enough to even have 3/4 of your team come from the country there in not even a particular region and these are pretty big countries.

Only Uruguay beat them I suppose.

The Franchise wrote:I see.

I ask because I know more about Bielsa than I do Bilbao players to be honest.

I know when we talk about the defensive 1/3rd of the pitch, Bielsa seems to like certain things.

He seems to like centerbacks who are highly skilled on the ball (as is the norm now really) and he likes defensive midfielders who are hard nosed, gritty players who dont really have to have tremendous ability on the ball...such as Medel.

So what I was thinking is, does Iturraspe come across as that kind of player..is he more steel than silk....

I think that goes at least part of the why way Javi plays where he does.

in a 352, I certaintly think it makes sense. Because the 3 at the back are vital in terms of keeping possession and have to be good on the ball and usually with that, he wants that gritty player who moves laterally across the pitch to stamp out threats.

Noted. Some great thoughts brought up here.

In general Bielsa hasn't really shown his difference in choice between skilled CBs and gritty CBs in the back considering all of Bilbao's CBs are literally ball playing. But I'm sure you would know more here.

Midfield? Gurpegui is actually Bilbao's only gritty no nonsense type midfield general (also the captain) who doesn't possess to much skill. Itturaspe on the other hand is like Scott Parker, a midfield general yet the difference between them is Itu actually has skill and great one at that. He also seems to be a more intelligent player with impressive dribbling and his occasional vision for a superb pass. A very vital player for Bilbao as the great thing about him is his blend of silk and steel. So in essence, like a young Ambrosini back when his skill and distribution on the ball hadn't regressed. If not for Busquets, I'd have him as the midfield commandante. Not that I have a problem considering Busi is my hero.

Couldn't agree more with your 3-5-2 point. If not for Iturraspe, Javi would no doubt have to be played in the midfield.