With Barcelona crippled by injuries, Xavi might use LaMasia to gap holes in the team.
Wingers in particular are scarce & will be needed by the new coach. That's where Ilias Akhomach comes in.
But who is @IliasAkhomach & could he be a solution to this issue?
👇
|THREAD|
Wingers in particular are scarce & will be needed by the new coach. That's where Ilias Akhomach comes in.
But who is @IliasAkhomach & could he be a solution to this issue?
👇
|THREAD|
@IliasAkhomach Aged 17, Ilias is one of the most exciting prospects in the academy.
The left-footed flamboyant talent can be deployed as a right-winger, an attacking mid or even a forward, albeit he prefers the first role.
His pacey & direct profile makes him best suited to the flanks.
The left-footed flamboyant talent can be deployed as a right-winger, an attacking mid or even a forward, albeit he prefers the first role.
His pacey & direct profile makes him best suited to the flanks.
@IliasAkhomach The pure dribbling ability & efficiency are probably what stands out the most about him.
Akhomach’s close control, body orientation and mastery of small spaces is incredible for such a young and still largely inexperienced player.
Below are his heat and actions maps. 👇
Akhomach’s close control, body orientation and mastery of small spaces is incredible for such a young and still largely inexperienced player.
Below are his heat and actions maps. 👇
@IliasAkhomach Akhomach is a left-footer playing on the right side so it doesn’t surprise that he loves to invert often.
The youngster will receive wide & then decide whether he can cut in or keep the width, which is a great trait to have since it shows versatility in his profile.
The youngster will receive wide & then decide whether he can cut in or keep the width, which is a great trait to have since it shows versatility in his profile.
@IliasAkhomach We can talk about two different zones that seem to be his favourite.
He will dribble when cutting inside from the flank just at the entrance into the final third and similarly, Ilias loves to engage the opposition in and around the entrance to the penalty area.
See it below.
He will dribble when cutting inside from the flank just at the entrance into the final third and similarly, Ilias loves to engage the opposition in and around the entrance to the penalty area.
See it below.
@IliasAkhomach Generally speaking, I’ve noticed him use two clear weapons when dribbling:
• pure turn of pace & then acceleration on the ball
• subtle body feints that often wrong-foot the defender.
His ability to beat players 1v1 is extraordinary & looks effortless at times.
Very exciting!
• pure turn of pace & then acceleration on the ball
• subtle body feints that often wrong-foot the defender.
His ability to beat players 1v1 is extraordinary & looks effortless at times.
Very exciting!
@IliasAkhomach Akhomach is a great progressive runner and we’ll often see him continue running with the ball after beating one or even more opposition players.
Here, he goes from standing still to fully sprinting past his marker within moments and it leaves multiple markers behind him.
⚡️
Here, he goes from standing still to fully sprinting past his marker within moments and it leaves multiple markers behind him.
⚡️
@IliasAkhomach Next, we’ll take a closer look at Akhomach’s feints, which are a big part of his dribbling technique.
First, he waits for the marker to engage in a tackle and then suddenly feints his body, moving the ball to the other side when the defender can no longer stop his action.
First, he waits for the marker to engage in a tackle and then suddenly feints his body, moving the ball to the other side when the defender can no longer stop his action.
@IliasAkhomach This enables him to immediately eliminate the other player and start the progression almost instantly.
The quick change of pace and direction is what low centre of gravity dribblers are best known for but not many have the control to execute it this well.
See the feint below.
The quick change of pace and direction is what low centre of gravity dribblers are best known for but not many have the control to execute it this well.
See the feint below.
@IliasAkhomach The combination of technique, awareness & pace is a very good foundation for a successful winger.
One key aspect here is his link-up play too. ⚽
When he releases the ball on time, Ilias makes good use of combining his dribbling with short-range sequences with his teammates.
One key aspect here is his link-up play too. ⚽
When he releases the ball on time, Ilias makes good use of combining his dribbling with short-range sequences with his teammates.
@IliasAkhomach Overall, when he’s not looking for 1v1 duels, the 17y/o will mostly be used as a link-up player in a possession-heavy Barcelona side.
Akhomach won’t try that many risky passes nor will he often be in a position to deploy them but when he is, it can be effective.
Passmaps below.
Akhomach won’t try that many risky passes nor will he often be in a position to deploy them but when he is, it can be effective.
Passmaps below.
@IliasAkhomach However, while he has the ability to produce such passes, they are not a regular part of his arsenal YET.
So we won’t see him break lines & assist in that way all the time.
But by looking at some examples, Akhomach’s left foot is indeed capable of producing magic. 🎩
So we won’t see him break lines & assist in that way all the time.
But by looking at some examples, Akhomach’s left foot is indeed capable of producing magic. 🎩
@IliasAkhomach He opens his body well and even more importantly, has the vision to see where the ball should go despite facing well-structured blocks.
This is a combination of skill, technique and vision that, if groomed properly, can become an incredible asset for his team.
Example below. 👇
This is a combination of skill, technique and vision that, if groomed properly, can become an incredible asset for his team.
Example below. 👇
@IliasAkhomach Time will tell if Ilias Akhomach is truly ready to make a step up in the near future.
The talent is surely there and Barcelona could definitely use someone of his calibre in the first team, especially given their current issues.
I imagine Xavi would love him too.
The talent is surely there and Barcelona could definitely use someone of his calibre in the first team, especially given their current issues.
I imagine Xavi would love him too.
@IliasAkhomach His profile fits the tactics and the needs of the squad as he would add that chaotic, pacey and 1v1 prolific nature Koeman was screaming for earlier in the season.
If he continues developing, there is no doubt Akhomach will eventually reach the spotlights of the Camp Nou.
🤞
If he continues developing, there is no doubt Akhomach will eventually reach the spotlights of the Camp Nou.
🤞
@IliasAkhomach I'll stop the thread now as I still want you to read the full piece, which is linked down below. 😉
The analysis gives you more examples of his traits as well as dissects some of his weaknesses too.
Please find the piece here 👇
totalfootballanalysis.com
The analysis gives you more examples of his traits as well as dissects some of his weaknesses too.
Please find the piece here 👇
totalfootballanalysis.com
@IliasAkhomach As ever, if you've enjoyed this thread, please give the first tweet (linked below) a like & RT as it helps me a LOT.
Of course, you can always follow me for more content like this.
There's much more to come! 🔥
Of course, you can always follow me for more content like this.
There's much more to come! 🔥
@IliasAkhomach In case you've missed some of the earlier parts of this LaMasia series, please find them attached to this tweet.
I've already done quite a few exciting talents but there are also so many more to come too.
Join me as we make this thread even bigger! 💪
I've already done quite a few exciting talents but there are also so many more to come too.
Join me as we make this thread even bigger! 💪
@IliasAkhomach You guys might enjoy it too
@totalBarca @Nyctophile1_ @fcbcanteranos @ReshadRahman_ @Youngcules
@totalBarca @Nyctophile1_ @fcbcanteranos @ReshadRahman_ @Youngcules
Folks, if you like this type of analysis, you'll surely love what we're building here at @BarcaFutbolLive!
It's a very fresh blog on Barcelona, tactics and just our love for the game 🔥
Consider subscribing so you don't miss out on any content! 🙏
barcafutbol.substack.com
It's a very fresh blog on Barcelona, tactics and just our love for the game 🔥
Consider subscribing so you don't miss out on any content! 🙏
barcafutbol.substack.com
Loading suggestions...