The big news this weekend is Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth, where he coached the Cherries into strong Premier League finishes and qualification to Europe. Given how healthy the club was when he left, Iraola does not expect a hostile welcome, but does expect a challenge on the pitch:
“It’s going to be a tricky one because they know very well what we try to do with or without the ball. But I also have this advantage. I know their strengths and weaknesses.”
The familiarity should hopefully come
as a positive as well, however:
“But I also have this advantage – I know their strengths, their weaknesses.
“It happened even in a smaller amount the other day [against Tottenham Hotspur] because I had Senesi, Dom Solanke, players I’ve already coached and probably – like we all do – they talked to [Roberto] De Zerbi, now it’s going to be with Marco Rose, about the things that we look into.
“In this case, it’s going to be strange for me. I don’t know if it’s a big advantage or a disadvantage, but it’s going to be different.”
He did acknowledge the meaningfulness of the return for himself, personally:
“On the personal side, I’m really looking forward to meeting them, to hug them, it’s players that I love, staff that I have been working with, that I appreciate so much.
“I was pushing for them yesterday when they were playing their first European game and I wish them all the best.
“But there is another part and that is the most important one right now: we need to go there and beat them and be as ruthless as possible. And leave all the talks for after the game.”
Though they were successful in the Europa League on Thursday, Bournemouth are still looking for their first win in the Premier League, and despite Iraola’s familiarity with them they will be no pushovers.
