– after match vs. Deportivo (ath 2:2 dep)

It is nearly a tradition of Atheltic that we've got no midfield at all. We could say it was normal when only got Murillo and Javi Martinez in the midfield. But now, it seems ridiculous when the best two midfields of ours are both on the pitch.

Watched the first half of the game, I find the formation is like 4-1-0-3-2 as no link between defensive midfield and attacking midfield, of course who are the two I metioned before, Yeste and Orbaiz. The two wingers are fed by full backs. What does our organizing midfield do is only to pass the ball back when facing a field filled with the opposite players.

Dare not he go forward? Maybe, but I think the more probable answer is that there is no one other than himself to do the clearance work. Even Xabi have a Sissoko to back him, though he himself does the backing work more frequently. The typical passing routine then becomes Orbaiz to Ocio, Ocio to goalkeeper, keeper to either full back or central back, then a long pass flies to Gabilondo or David Lopez or to Llorente directly. See, there is no position of Yeste in this routine, who as a result can only touch ball after an unsuccessul attack tempt. No cutting throughs, no great vision, only a by-passer. Even Ronadinho "the Wufa" can still help the team with his throughs and freeballs, it must be a pity that Yeste has no much chance to launch freeballs. The other serious problem, for both of them, is the injury. Yeste just came back from his operation. And Orbaiz has just recovered from a slight injury after his long absence. They need time to come back again, hope so.