Player Focus: Experienced Aduriz Key in Athletic's Champions League Push

When Fernando Llorente announced he would be departing for Juventus in the summer of 2013, Athletic Bilbao knew they had to bring in a replacement. In hindsight then, the decision to re-sign Aritz Aduriz in 2012 proved to be a masterstroke by the Basque outfit as the experienced frontman ended his first season back at San Mames with 14 league goals and 6 assists.

While many would have panicked at the prospect of losing their primary striker, Aduriz’s form ensured that Athletic would not miss Llorente. The performances of the 33-year-old, first under Marcelo Bielsa then Ernesto Valverde, have gone a long way towards helping Los Leones continue their march towards a top-4 finish.

His hat-trick and man of the match performance in the 4-0 win over Granada meant that no player has earned more WhoScored man of the match awards in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2014 than him (4), while the striker remains on course to beat his goal tally from last season. However, it’s only recently that Aduriz has really begun to find his best form having needed 8 appearances to net his first of the campaign.

The appointment of a new coach meant the style of play altered and understandably the striker took time to adjust to the rigours of having a new man at the helm. However, after scoring against Villarreal in October, Aduriz has found the back of the net in 5 of his last 14 league outings, including a brace away at Osasuna and the aforementioned 3-goal haul against Granada last week.

This goalscoring form has pushed his average WhoScored rating to 7.27 in La Liga, with that figure its highest in any of the last 5 seasons. With 6 points now separating them and 5th-placed Villarreal, the onus is on Valverde’s side to go on and secure a Champions League berth and the former Valencia ace is expected to play a key role in this.

With Valverde preferring a 4-2-3-1 formation in 21 of Athletic’s 26 league games this season, Aduriz has excelled as the lone frontman. The 50-year-old head coach has the luxury of being able to select Iker Muniain, Ander Herrera and Markel Susaeta in the attacking trio behind the frontman, meaning an out-and-striker of Aduriz's ilk is essential.

Perhaps Aduriz’s biggest asset is his heading ability, having won 110 aerial duels this season, a figure only Oriol Riera (138) and Christian Stuani (125) can better in Spain’s top tier. This facet of his game means that should Athletic use a more direct approach to attack, he’s able to knock the ball down for his teammates, with the previously mentioned attack-minded trident in particular profiting having netted 10 league goals between them.

Furthermore, his aerial supremacy means that 4 of his 9 goals have been headers. Only Javi Guerra and Antoine Griezmann (both 5) have scored more in La Liga this term, while he also brings others into play, as highlighted in his 7 assists.

Perhaps his experience, though, is his most crucial asset to Athletic, with the average age of the squad a lowly 25.8 years. Having conceded just 2 goals between the 80th minute and full-time, a figure no Primera side can better, Aduriz’s know-how means he’s able to help run the clock down when the team are holding out for a positve result.

Furthermore, Athletic have scored an impressive 12 times in the final 10 minutes of matches, which only league leaders Real Madrid (17) can better. Aduriz has been key, scoring or assisting 4 of those goals. His experience ensures he is calm enough to help his side press the opposition right until the very end, while he’s evidently capable of holding up play late on to see out matches.

His ill discipline may be a concern, with no player having received more red cards than Aduriz (2) this season and that could have an adverse effect on Athletic’s campaign, but he’s clearly spearheading their attack to great success. Having directly contributed to 32.7% of their league goals, his offensive capabilities haven’t deserted him with age, but rather improved.

Regularly dropping deeper in search of possession provides Muniain, Herrera and Susaeta with the space to drive for goal, with the frontman able to drag opposition defenders out of position to the benefit of the trio. With the business end of the campaign looming, the goals Aduriz scores and provides for Athletic will be crucial as the Basque outfit strive to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition.

How important do you think Aduriz will be for Athletic between now and the end of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below