Under Andoni Iraola’s leadership AFC Bournemouth has become a strong team in the Premier League by using a unique long-ball strategy. Players like Evanilson and Kepa Arrizabalaga have been really important for making this tactic work which led to some good results. The club’s recent success shows how well their new playing style and smart player signings are working.
- Bournemouth has adopted a long-ball strategy under Andoni Iraola.
- Evanilson and Kepa Arrizabalaga are key players in this approach.
- The club achieved their best points tally with 48 points in the 2023-24 season.
Bournemouth’s Tactical Transformation
Since Andoni Iraola took over in June 2023, AFC Bournemouth has turned into a really good Premier League team by getting really good at playing long balls. Iraola has made the team play in a way that skips the midfield and instead goes for direct passes from defense to attack. This has worked really well for them and helped Bournemouth get their highest ever points (48) in the 2023-24 season. The team is really good at quickly moving the ball forward and getting players in the right spots to catch other teams off guard.
⚽️ The Trend ⚽️
How Bournemouth became the Premier League’s long-ball experts
@HKhaliqueLoonat reports
https://t.co/BgzV1KaPYN
— Times Sport (@TimesSport)
January 15, 2025
Key Players in Bournemouth’s Success
The team’s success with long balls is mostly because of some really good players. Evanilson who they bought from Porto for £40.2 million in August 2024 (which was the most they ever spent) has been super important when they attack. He’s really good at winning headers and creating chances to score. Also Kepa Arrizabalaga who they’re borrowing from Chelsea has been great at starting attacks by making really good long passes from the back. Lewis Cook who’s really good at seeing passes and Marcos Senesi who’s great at defending have also helped make this strategy work really well.
Bournemouth’s Strategic Position
Bournemouth’s change in how they play hasn’t just got them good results but also made them a team that others worry about in the Premier League. The club has been smart about buying players and making them better, and chairman Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club UK Limited have helped by making sure they have enough money. As they keep getting better at their long-ball game Bournemouth is definitely a team people should keep watching in the Premier League.
For a complete look at how Bournemouth has been doing lately and how they play, visit Bournemouth’s Premier League Journey. To see their upcoming games and match previews including their game against Crystal Palace, check out Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace Preview.
