The “pivot” Ibora and the management of Mediliber (vid)

Vitente Ibora in his last two games Olympiakou in Greece and Europe, he was decisive and proved that with a specific role and time he can help Jose Luis Mendiliber’s team in view of the difficult continuation.

The management of the Basque technician has resulted in him recently “winning” more players and now gaining more depth in the rotation of the “red and whites”, with a resounding example of that of the Spanish midfielder.

Role and management by Mediliber

The Spaniards call the player who plays in the “6” and acts as a connecting link between the defensive and midfield line a “pivot”. A more typical example is Sergio Busquets who even gave his… name to the position.

Ibora came on as a half-time substitute in the game against Fener, in place of Iovetis, having exactly that role and to give the extra man that Mendiliber needed in the axis of the Olympiakos midfield.

He played 75 minutes (including overtime), having 37 actions with the ball, 16/27 (59%) successful passes, 5/8 duels won, 1 steal and 1 tackle won.

The Spanish midfielder gave peace to the development of Olympiakos, a sure first pass and helped in the static phases both defensively and offensively, after he almost scored in the first half of extra time.

His performance, combined with the need for rotation, earned him a first-team jersey in last night’s match against PAOK and he vindicated Medilibar for his choice.

Ibora again played as a “pivot”, in front of Olympiakos’ stoppers and together with Horta and Ciquinho made up the midfield trio.

He served -again- his coach’s plan correctly by fighting in the center of the field, he was present even in the static phases where his height was needed when PAOK pressed in the second half and most of the balls passed through him at the beginning of the build up.

Competed throughout the 90 minutes, making 60 actions with the ball and having 37/45 (82%) accurate passes, 6/7 long passes, 6/12 duels won, 4 steals and 1 tackle won.

It seems that Madrid have found a way to manage Ibora to get the most out of him and be influential when he needs to be, as they face crucial battles with Aston Villa for the semi-finals of the Conference League, but and the difficult continuation of the Superleague.

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