INTERVIEW: Juan Carlos Amorós Breaks Down Film of His Tactics at Real Betis Féminas
"It's a question of being brave. Sometimes, coaches are a bit too scared of what the players are going to think."
This interview with coach Juan Carlos Amorós was done in collaboration with Abdullah Abdullah and his ‘Pressing Questions’ series from his substack Pressing Matters. Although Amorós is no longer managing Real Betis Féminas (he has now been hired by the Houston Dash), this conversation took place on March 2, 2022, when he was still at the club. Thus, the focus of the piece will be on his time at Betis.
This interview also comes in two parts. One half is a written transcript, where Amorós answers more general questions about his philosophy and system. The second is a video, in which he breaks down footage of his tactics.
Be sure to check out Abdullah’s chat with Bayern Munich’s Sydney Lohmann and our joint discussion with Real Madrid’s Caroline Møller Hansen and the legendary Hedvig Lindhal.
Juan Carlos Amorós made his name in England, rising through the ranks of Tottenham Hotspur to take on a dual head-coaching position with Karen Hills. The pair subsequently guided the team to promotion in 2019 for the club’s first ever appearance in the FA WSL.
A difficult start to his second season in the top flight saw Amorós move to his home country in Spain, taking over the struggling Real Betis. After saving the team from relegation, Betis made a prolonged charge for the 7th spot before ultimately finishing 9th (behind Athletic Bilbao and rivals Sevilla) thanks to a winless stretch to end the 21/22 campaign.
To most everyone’s surprise, Betis then decided to part ways with Amorós, leading to his new interim head coach position with the Houston Dash.
The life span of a manager at any single job is often brutal and short, but there is something about Amorós that makes you believe that he can navigate those difficulties and carve out a legacy in this profession. He is uncharacteristically warm and open to those who possess neither the qualifications nor the experience to speak at his level (i.e. Abdullah and I), being driven by an infectious passion for tactics and coaching.
It was an absolute privilege to be able to speak to someone who was this excited and eager to share their knowledge. Readers/viewers: pore over and consider every word. This is an unprecedented level of insight into one of the game’s rising figures.
I highly recommend going over the written section of the interview first, but the video is the most exciting part, after all.
This was posted on the WoSo Collective YouTube channel, which Abdullah and I partner with. Go watch other cool stuff like their WoSo Worldies segment.
Om Arvind: Let’s start off with the basics. What, in your words, is your philosophy and style of play? And how do you implement that within your 4-2-3-1 formation?
What I try to do is [build] a team that is dominant in what I call the six moments of the game, which is on the ball, the counterpress, defending, counter-attacking, and offensive and defensive set-pieces. I think that's extremely important. Obviously, you try to be dominant on the ball, but you need to manage all aspects. I try to work from the individual to the “partnership,” which is the people around the player, then the unit, and then the team all together to be able to recognize the situations in a common way, and be able to react to that as a team. And from having those, let's say, principles, that's what we want to achieve. Then the hardest part is how to achieve it, no?
We want to be a team that is exciting. I am a fan of football myself and I know that I enjoy certain kind of teams more — the teams that work hard and are good on the ball, but that are also good on the counter-attack and are able to exploit spaces, [be] creative, and try to entertain the fans. I really enjoy 1v1’s and at the same time combination play. The real art is in the mixture of all different sides of football and I think that’s the hardest part to achieve. So, yeah, that’s an overview of my philosophy.
And then [in regard to the] 4231: the base of everything is the values. I believe that we are all people before we are professionals and I think that having those values of respect (and there are a few other things that are considered) is the base for everything that we do. Then there is the football principles, which don't change depending on the tactic. For example, we try to do something called the three-pass rule, which is for when we regain possession, do a quick counter-attack, or try to do three passes to maintain possession. Or we try to be aggressive in 1v1 situations or create overloads. These principles never change depending on the tactic.
I'm not a big fan of saying “oh, we play 4-2-3-1” or “we play 3-5-2” because I think football is very dynamic. For example, when we defend in a block, we do more of a 4-4-2. But, when we are on the ball, we try to do a 3-5-2 because of the players that we have keeping the width and the characteristics of some of the players that play wide for us. Sometimes, we try to have a style that is aggressive in the counterpress; having clear blocks when we are defending; [and] being creative on the ball. When we have width, we have freedom within the middle. We also always have people threatening in behind. But the formation is something that is very flexible and dynamic. So it's very hard to say that we always play this system but we always follow certain footballing principles.
Abdullah Abdullah: I’d love for you to go through the team and break down your starting eleven by defense, midfield, and attack. Who are the key players in each section and what are everyone’s roles?
In goal, both of the keepers that we have are experienced internationals. They understand how to manage the game, they are good with their feet — we try to recruit [based on that]. Gaga [Gaëlle Thalmann] is the starting keeper for Switzerland and it’s the same with Cata [Catalina Pérez] for Colombia. They are players with a lot of experience and we believe that their profile helps us to to play out from the back.
In defense, we have a very good mix. In the central area, we have Dorine Chuigoué, who is a very experienced, powerful center-back; she’s dominant in space and on set-pieces. And then there are very young center-backs: María Valle and Vicky Benítez — players that come from the youth team. At fullback, we have two different kinds of profiles: players that are very aggressive on offense, like Lucía León and Andrea Medina, and experienced players on the defensive side, like Nana [Nuria Ligero], Paulita [Paula Perea], and Matilde Fidalgo, who can even become center-backs.
In the middle, we have Ana González and Eva Llamas — players that are more experienced and who keep the balance of the team. In front of them, we have Ángela Sosa, who is the creative [force] that drives the attacks. Down the flanks, we always try to find people like Rinsola Babajide and Laurina. We have players — even the young ones, like Laura Moreno and even Leire — who are very good technically and can be good in wide play and 1v1’s.
Up top, at the moment, we have two kinds of profiles. We have Mapi [Mari Paz Vilas], who [focuses] more on combination play and scores from crosses in the box. We’ve also found that Grace Asantewaa is a player that can do combination play. Maybe she’s not such a good finisher in the air, but she is very good in space.
With that overview, what I can tell you is that we can play different ways because some of the profiles are very similar but some of the profiles are very different. That's why we sometimes defend in a 4-4-2 block but become a 3-5-2 on the ball, because one of the fullbacks is more defensive and the other one is clearly more of an attacker, so she becomes kind of a wing-back.
When you've been in a team for long enough (but I’ve been here for only a year and a half) you can start building the dream — [having] two players that are very similar in each position to do one thing all the time, but, realistically, in football sometimes that's not what you find. And I think that's when some of the coaches might have an issue, because they want to do certain things when the players they have are not capable of it or it's not their strength. Obviously, you need to help them with their weaknesses, but I think we spend too much time on weaknesses when what we need to do sometimes is [enhance] the strengths of our players and try to develop them and play to their strengths.
Abdullah: How much of this philosophy were you able to execute at Tottenham, where you were with Karen Hills doing a dual head-coaching job? Do you think you have the better profiles to fit your philosophy at Betis and what did you take from Tottenham and bring over here?
I think in that aspect there are two different things. We were [at Tottenham] for such a long time, so there were a lot of stages within it. There was the first stage, where we were trying to build something. Then, we started to build it and we had enough time to consolidate and develop players that went from the third division all the way up to the WSL. The key was the time that we had — we had a lot of success because we had a lot of trust and every year we were growing.
But, when we got to the WSL, we needed a change again and sometimes that change takes time (it took us two years to get promoted to the Championship). I believe that the first year in the WSL was excellent — we probably exceeded all expectations. And the second year for me was obviously cut short. We didn't have enough time to develop what we wanted. And I think the club is kind of following that way now, with Rehanne Skinner doing a fantastic job there.
The top performers in the team are the players that we had: Jessica Naz, Ashleigh Neville, and Kit Graham (until she got injured). So, those players that we developed are probably the ones making the difference now; even the new additions that we had, like Ria Percival, are doing a great job. Or Shelina Zadorsky — key players that are continuing with that growth.
Speaking about the difference [between the two clubs]: Lucía León is the only player I had over [at Spurs]. Here [in Spain], you need to adapt to a different [style of] football, a different culture, a different style of players. Maybe some of the players [in Spain] are not as good physically or as strong, but I think they are better technically or even tactically because of their background.
So, you need to [adapt] to try to develop the strengths of these players and implement [things] in the way that the club requires. There is a way that the club does things and there is a way that the culture of the city does things (what it means to wear these pads, etc.) — it all affects the way you play and I think it's important to understand where you are and adapt yourself to them in the same way that they adapt to you.
I think that the last year the situation was completely different to this one. I came here to a very difficult situation: team bottom of the league; they had played more games than the teams that they were competing against; there were four teams going down. It wasn't about growing — it was about surviving. So, we did that. We were 18th and I think we finished the season 11th1. So, when I came, we had 7 points and we finished with 35.
We did that job and now it was like “Okay, we survived. Let's live and then from living let's grow.”
Om: When you talk about growing, are you talking about growing as a club in terms of status? Is there one specific tactical aspect that you want to grow? Can you speak to that more specifically?
I think that when we talk about growing it [starts] from the individual. Can we make the players that are in the youth teams professional? Can we make our youth players internationals? Can we get international appearances for our players in the senior team?
That’s something that is very important to me because that means that you are doing a good job. If you start doing that, it means the team is doing well. If the team is doing well, then you're winning more games. If you're winning more games, then you become a better team to attract new players. That's the reality of football.
I also see football as an art and my dream is for my football to be enjoyed by the most amount of people possible. If we can get more fans to enjoy [football], more people will be related to what we do. The feeling of ownership by Betis’ fanbase is very big. If we increase the fanbase, we [grow the sport]. More young girls will identify with the players and the same with boys. They will want to come here and create a culture that is healthy and a club that is a reference for women's football.
Om: So, real quick: when you talk about wanting to use football as an art and attracting people, do you think there's a greater importance than the football itself right now, in terms of making football entertaining for the fans so that more people come and watch? Do you feel that puts additional pressure and responsibility on you as a coach?
Yeah, I think so. Because I know what I enjoy watching in football — it’s what I mentioned before: teams that are aggressive on the ball, try to score goals, are brave in 1v1’s and in combination play, and are defensively dominant. I think that we need to make sure that football is enjoyable in the world that we live in. At the end of the day, football is a spectacle. We're lucky to be professionals because we’re lucky to have fans that love the game. If we didn’t have fans, we wouldn’t be able to be professionals.
When we grew up, everyone loved football. Now, a lot of young people are interested in — it's no secret — video games. Different things are attracting their attention. I think that if we can attract them with our style — while entertaining the older people, where football is like a tradition and part of the culture — we will be able to maintain this art for a longer period of time.
I [want to] play my part and make people enjoy what we do and have them come to a game and check when the next one is as soon as we finish, because it’s something that when they wake up in the morning they want to do in the evening. That's how I felt [about] football when I was a kid. So, if I can create that [feeling in] people, I think that my job will be done (given that we are able to do that while developing the players and the staff as well).
Om: One big question fans have is about your usage of players in multiple positions or in positions that aren’t considered their “regular” positions. For example, Paula Perea has played as both a left back and center-back and Nuria Ligero (‘Nana’) has played as a right back and right winger. What is your reasoning for this? Do their positions change based on the opposition you face? And how important is it for you to have players who are versatile?
That's actually a very good question. I think that sometimes it’s [down to] the needs of the team. Sometimes, it’s because I believe a player can do a good job in a different position. And it's a question of being brave. Sometimes, coaches are a bit too scared of what the players are going to think. For me, I don't really care about that. I need to do what I need to do or what I believe is right to win football matches. Sometimes, it's [down to] the needs of the team; sometimes, it’s because we don't have enough players because of COVID or injuries.
Those two [players you mentioned] were very good examples. Nana used to play as maybe more of a forward player when she was younger, but then she was a fullback all her life. But, Paula Perea… I think her first game as a center-back was last year against Levante when we were playing [to avoid] relegation and Levante wanted to get into the Champions League (it was a very controversial game away from home — let's leave it there). But we drew 1-1 and she did a great job and she's played fantastically there and as a fullback since then.
And we have what some people call the revelation of [Primera Iberdrola] this year: Grace Asantewaa, who was a holding midfielder for Logroño and for the Ghana National team, and [now] she's playing as a number nine.
I think another example is Lucía León. Over the years, I think she's played every position apart from center-back: she’s played up top, as a fullback, on the wing, in the middle. She even played in goal a couple of times when people got sent off and got woman of the match!
Players are players — they can play in different positions if you tell them to and if you teach them what you need and what you want from them. Maybe you see some strengths that other coaches haven't let them know about; some people and players [put limits on themselves]: “oh i cannot do that.” Why not? Maybe try and you will surprise yourself.
So I think it is key that we have players… not that are versatile — because every player is versatile by nature, since, if you tell them to do something, they're gonna do it — but that are open to another position; that they are open to learn; that they are open to develop; that they are open to new things; that they trust you. That's what’s important for me. I'm lucky — or I can say — that most of the things we try end up working. So, it's something that is good and that I enjoy. And, trust me, I think a lot before I make these decisions.
Om: How do players react to that? Because they will have their own ideas about how they should play. For example, when we did this with Caroline Møller Hansen, we came in with questions that had an implicit assumption that she was best when playing as a second striker (back-to-goal and linking play). And she seemed kind of taken aback by that (obviously, we’re aware that she played out wide and that's been her position for a long time). And she was like, “I do that for the national team, but I think I'm best out wide on the touchline, taking players on. That's where I want to be.”
I previously asked Real Madrid coach Alberto Toril where he sees her and he said: “I see her best position as being on the left wing.” And, obviously, there's an interrelation there, right? He might have his idea about where she is best — I have my idea — but she wants to play out wide. How do you deal with that? Do you find it easy at Betis? Will the players do it without problems? Or do you have to manage it carefully sometimes?
You have to explain the reasons why to them. I think, especially in women's football, the players question you: “why do you do this?” And they need an explanation. If you explain well, I think you can get to an agreement with every player. It’s also very important how you present that to the player and what your relationship is like with the player. Some players just get on with it and some players are a little bit more reluctant.
It will depend on the player and sometimes it's hard — sometimes it’s hard to make someone see [your vision]. But, if you make them trust that it’s going to be good for their development, that's also important. At the end of the day, she’ll be on the pitch, which is what every player wants. I think it is doable. Players are people. If you've got a good relationship with them, they will understand. It's always a give and take and there’s a very fine line with these sorts of things.
You can also use data, or point to players competing with them, or use their age. Sometimes, you can use a weakness that they need to improve on. One of the keys is that we manage people. You need to get to every player in a different way. In this case, it’s for a change of position. In another case, it might be to [execute] the press one way or [it could be] about coming to an extra training session.
Abdullah: Can you comment on how important Ángela Sosa is to your team. Coming from a big team like Atlético Madrid, how valuable is her experience and what are her most impressive qualities on the field?
Well, obviously, Ángela Sosa, was the MVP of the league. I think two years in a row she was champion with Atleti. But she’s been a very big Betis fan since she was a kid. She wanted to come to the big project that Betis was doing. She's super close to her family — it’s the most important thing for her and her family is from Seville.
It was a difficult change because you are going from being the head of the lion to head of the mouse. It's a different project — it’s a team that is growing…with completely different goals as a club. On top of that, before I came here, [Betis] were not meeting the expectations that she had, since they were bottom of the league instead of being a team that was pushing to be high.
So, for me, it was a question of trying to find a way to get to her and motivate her. She took on a very important role leading the team on the pitch. She even wore the armband a lot of times when Nana wasn't there.
People look at her quality on the ball, but one of the things that she's improved a lot is her quality [against] the ball. She works really hard and she plays with a lot of pride in terms of her defending duties. She's not a player that is going to [engage in] aerial duels and win you headers, but her effort and commitment are 100%. The distance that she runs in a game is probably one of the top ones in the team, if not the top one. And it obviously helps that she is outstanding in terms of her technical ability when she gets the ball.
So, I think it's very important to get the trust of the player, [so that they see:] “okay, if we do this, we're gonna come out of this situation.” She does the hard job — I don't run; I always say that. [The players] are the ones working hard on the pitch.
This year she is, again, performing really well. She's growing as a player. She is, I think, second after Alexia in terms of assists in the league at the moment. She's one of our top goal scorers (I think she's got five or six goals already this year). So, she's performing well in her offensive duties, but overall she's an important player in the way that we play with that freedom in the middle. She sees the game in a way that I like and [we try to give her that] trust. We create a structure where she can develop the side of things that is a little bit less organized in the middle; she can read what the games need because that's what she does well.
Om: So, another player you recently signed is Rinsola Babajide from Liverpool. Why did the club go for this player? Obviously, she is an excellent dribbler, having completed the most dribbles p90 out of anyone in the 2019/20 WSL season, but are there any other qualities of hers that caught your eye?
Rinsola is a player that I knew really well from my time in England, because I lived in London and she lived in London. I think we played [each other] before when she was in the Championship or even in the youth levels. She's a special player; she has tremendous ability in 1v1 situations… her agility, speed, and finishing. She’s aggressive on and off the ball.
When the opportunity came to sign her, I knew what she was capable of and I also knew her personally — we spoke a couple of times and we were in contact because of whatever reasons in the past when I was at Spurs. So, she’s a player that I've always kept an eye on.
I think that it was a perfect change for her [based on] everything that was happening in England. She has been very brave to leave England, which is not something that many players do. Especially when it’s not a secret that we're not one of the teams that can pay the most money in Europe. So, she's done it for her development and because of the trust [she has in me].
She's doing fantastic and adapting to the culture, which is hard when you’re learning to speak the language. She hadn’t played for a while and her body is more like that of an athlete. [With that type of body], it's a bit different to other woman's players. Her chances of having muscle injuries are higher. So, because of the accelerations — especially deceleration — we're trying to manage everything very carefully. That's why we're being very careful with her workload to make sure that, from now on, she can give a lot to the team and I'm expecting big things from her.
In training, we can see that — the players can see that — and I think that, if we can make her happy — because she’s one of those players that needs to be happy to play well — she can bring a lot to the team.
Abdullah: Betis have used a double pivot with Eva Llamas and Ana González, with Ángela Sosa completing the midfield in a more advanced position. When Rosa Márquez returns, where does she fit in?
She fits in anywhere because Rosa Márquez is an outstanding player and an outstanding person. We really, really, really miss her. She was already making her senior debut with the Spanish national team in June and in preseason she was doing unbelievably well. We were working a lot with her to make her a more important player offensively.
Rosa can play anywhere: she can play holding mid; she [can be the type of player that comes] inside from wide areas; she can be box-to-box; she can play as a number ten. So, at the moment, it’s difficult because now there is a team [and consistent selection], but I think that…no player [should] feel comfortable within the team and [should] always [face] competition.
Rosa will definitely bring that competition and I'm sure that she will be able to enter one of those places. Where? It is difficult because maybe when she comes another player is not there or is injured. But one thing [is clear]: I would love for her to be available and playing as soon as possible. And, to be fair, she's doing a fantastic job with her recovery.
She’s one of the best players in the league at dribbling and also one of the best players at recovering possession, which is extremely weird. I don’t think any player in men’s or woman's football is top five in dribbling and in recovering the ball. That just doesn't match does it? So, she’s a special player and a special person that we hope to get back as soon as possible.
Betis finished the 2020/21 season in 12th.
 | A guest post by
|
impressive approach to coaching, thanx!