Rafa Benitez is a hugely successful coach – he’s guided Liverpool to a Champions
League win in 2004/05, won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2012/13, the UEFA Cup with
Valencia in 2003/04 and La Liga twice with the same club in 2001/02 and 2003/04. But
his time at Newcastle, in which he just failed to save the club from relegation in 2015/16,
but then guided them back to the Premier League by winning the Championship the following
season, has been perhaps his sternest test to date. Bentiez has been in charge at Newcastle
United for over 1100 days, a significant achievement at a club that has seen more than its fair
share of off-field uncertainty, low levels of investment, and, at times, questionable
recruitment.
Despite a degree of negativity among the fan towards Benitez’ perceived defensiveness,
there is also a strong sense that, with the squad at his disposal, the Spanish manager
has limited options. And, as he tries to guide them towards a Premier League safety that
seems all but secure now, it’s perhaps fair to say that Benitez is showing the benefits
of pragmatism, even as fans bemoan his lack of attacking intent.
Apart from cup ties, Benitez has not used a back four since the loss at home to West
Ham in early December. His formations have tended to look like a 5-4-1 or a 3-4-3 depending
on the degree of attacking intent – of course, these two systems are very much alike if the
wide players on the 5-4-1 push high and tuck in, and the wing-backs push up – it’s
more like there is an essential template of three defenders centrally, a double pivot
in midfield, and a lone striker, and what happens around that is based on how the opposition
play as much as what Benitez wants Newcastle to do in terms of imposing their own style
on the game.
Defensively, Newcastle drop quite deep and often have one centre-back acting almost as
a sweeper behind the two wider centre-backs. They fall back into a five man back line when
constructing a medium or low block, while the midfield pivot will also push across to
help out in the wide spaces, covered by the opposite attacking wide player tucking in.
Newcastle look to congest space, press up on to the man in possession, and make it hard
to play through the centre. Because they have three centre backs and an excellent goalkeeper
in Martin Dubravka, they’re probably less concerned about crosses, but they defend the
wide spaces aggressively because of the opportunities to counter-attack out wide.
While Newcastle play a fairly average number of successful long passes per 90 for Premier
League sides, their total number of long balls, including inaccurate ones, means they play
the second highest number overall after Burnley.
Newcastle play the third fewest passes overall per 90 but what’s also interesting to note
is that while they play the third lowest total of short passes overall, only Brighton make
more accurate short passes.
This means that while Newcastle are trying to play a direct style with varying degrees
of effectiveness, they are also cautious, but effective, when circulating possession
among themselves before trying to play directly. This is largely between the centre-backs,
all of whom, but especially first choice players Jamal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune, and Fabian
Schär, are good passers of the ball and rotate possession well between themselves and Dubravka.
The midfield pivot, generally Isaac Hayden and Mohamed Diamé, but also featuring Sung-Yeung
Ki, Jonjo Shelvey or Sean Longstaff, will also drop in and should Newcastle break the
opposition press, they will carry the ball forwards and attack the space.
Generally, however, Newcastle have two main methods of attack. Salomon Rondon is a hulking
target man with real strength and the ability to contest long balls. Ayoze Perez is also
often a target for long balls, but he profits most playing off Rondon, making runs ahead
of him and driving at the defence. Newcastle will go direct to these two from Dubravka
or one of the centre backs.
This is a fairly low percentage approach, though, and it’s often integrated with Newcastle’s
preferred method of direct attacks down the flanks. On the left especially, where the
excellent Matt Ritchie is now partnered with new signing Miguel Almiron, Newcastle look
to attack the space, either to achieve crossing opportunities or release Almiron especially
to dribble at the opposition.
Newcastle look to profit from when opposition defences are caught out by their direct approach,
or when Rondon or Perez can win the first ball and Newcastle can drive into the spaces
created around that contest. Quick crosses, dynamic running, and taking shooting opportunities
even from distance, mean that when Newcastle *have* transitioned into attack, they look
to strike quickly rather than build up slowly and probe for weakness.
Newcastle would rather attempt a shot or cross and possibly lose possession than lose the
momentum of the attack and the potential advantage of being, however briefly, on the front foot
against a disorganised defence.
This emphasis on aggressive, tenacious defending, low-percentage long passes, and a direct,
vertical style rather than patient possession, means that Newcastle under Benitez are not
the most attractive side to watch – although, some of the goals they’ve scored this season
have been brilliant.
Nonetheless, Benitez is playing to his strengths. Almiron, Perez, and Ritchie are dynamic runners
and can threaten any team. Rondon is a teak-tough front man with a good eye for goal.
And with a style that gets the best from these attacking strengths, without over-complicating
build-up and trying to create chances in a way that doesn’t suit them, Benitez has
guided one of the league’s lesser squads to a place of likely safety. It’s a great
achievement, and a testament to Benitez’s flexibility and intelligence.