Set-piece specialist Andrew Hughes brought in to reignite San Mamés | OneFootball

Athletic have turned to English set-piece specialist Andrew Hughes, hired at Edin Terzic's request, to restore a signature threat at San Mamés. According to El Correo, director of football Mikel González said the team were among the poorest in attack and also suffered defensively.

They were La Liga's fifth lowest scorers with 43, and conceded 58, double the previous season's 29, when only Napoli's 27 were better among 100 teams in the five major leagues.

Set pieces were a major flaw. Athletic managed only six such goals last season. From 219 corners, the fourth most, they scored once, Paredes heading in a Galarreta delivery at the Metropolitano in late April.

Hughes joined a week after training resumed on 6 July, following World Cup duty with Scotland, in his first role outside the UK. Pre-season has already brought two goals from his playbook. Guruzeta scored from an Adama Boiro corner at Sestao River, and against Eibar on 25 July they conceded from a Martón header before Yuri equalised from a short free-kick by Canales.

Athletic have never previously had a dedicated set-piece coach, which underlines the significance of this hire. Terzic, meticulous and heavily invested in tactics, sees set pieces as a way to unlock tight games, and work is also targeting defensive solidity at dead balls.

Olympique de Marseille host Athletic on Sunday at 17:00. The French side beat Al-Shahaniya 3-0 on Wednesday, after a 3-0 win over Yamoussoukro, a 3-0 loss to Nice, then a 2-1 victory against Nîmes.

Source: El Correo

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