Bournemouth’s Impact Rating Revolution: From Survival to Success Under Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth’s transformation between the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons is remarkable. With Andoni Iraola at the helm, the club not only weathered the storm of losing key players but emerged stronger, faster, and far more efficient. The Impact Rating (IR) data tells how this side evolved into one of the most exciting projects in European football.
A Defensive Overhaul That Works
Last season’s defensive unit: Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Ilya Zabarnyi (PSG), Milos Kerkez (Liverpool), and goalkeeper Kepa (Arsenal) – is gone. Only Adam Smith remains from that backline. On paper, losing three starting defenders and the goalkeeper should have weakened Bournemouth. Instead, Iraola built a new defense that outperforms the old guard.
This year’s backline features:
- Marcos Senesi (cemented a starting role)
- Bafodé Diakité (arrived from Lille)
- Adrien Truffert (brought in from Rennes)
- Adam Smith (continuing from last season)
- Djordje Petrovic (ex-Chelsea bench goalkeeper)
Defensive IR Comparison
- 24/25 Defense + GK Total IR: 122.98
- 25/26 Defense + GK Total IR: 129.28
Defensively, Bournemouth now thrives on interceptions, tackles high up the pitch, and winning second balls, rather than waiting deep and reacting.
The improvement is evident, mainly thanks to Diakité (DEF IR 24.20) and Senesi (DEF IR 29.28), two players who individually posted higher defensive ratings than any Bournemouth defender last season.
Between the posts, Petrovic is a significant upgrade. His GK IR of 28.27 dwarfs Kepa’s 22.77, pushing the defensive unit to new heights.
Midfield Stability Turned Into Dominance
The midfield trio last season of Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook, and Ryan Christie managed a combined Average Impact Rating of 63.25. While solid, it lacked the cutting edge.
This season’s midfield of Marcus Tavernier, Tyler Adams, and Alex Scott is on a different level, delivering a massive 80.10 Average Impact Rating. Each player contributes defensively and offensively, reflecting Iraola’s philosophy of a collective press and all-action midfield dominance.
The actions behind these numbers are:
- Tackles in advanced zones.
- Press recoveries leading directly to shots.
- Quick one-touch passing sequences that stretch opponents.
This high-intensity midfield press is the core of Iraola’s philosophy.
Attack: Semenyo and Evanilson Take Off
The most significant leap, however, comes in attack. Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson exploded this season.
- 24/25 combined ATT IR: 46.73
- 25/26 combined ATT IR: 63.87
Semenyo presses center-backs, tracks midfielders, and even drops into defensive lines. His 30.30 defensive contribution against Brighton is proof of a forward who tackles, intercepts, and blocks as much as he dribbles and shoots.
Evanilson complements him by staying central, offering hold-up play, and exploiting the spaces Semenyo creates.
Together, they embody Iraola’s principle: forwards defend first, then explode into attack. This constant pressure creates turnovers and high-value chances, turning Bournemouth into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous transition teams.
That’s a leap of nearly 20 points, driving their combined Average Impact Rating from 54.73 to 76.27.
Semenyo’s Breakthrough
Semenyo, in particular, is enjoying a career-defining season. His Average Impact Rating jumped from 32.58 to 50.26, and he has become the face of Iraola’s high-octane attack. His recent performance against Brighton was astonishing:
- Average Impact Rating: 81.62
- Defensive Impact Rating: 30.30
A forward defensively leading the team at that level shows how far Semenyo and Bournemouth have come.
The Bigger Picture: Bournemouth’s Evolution
The numbers leave no doubt:
- Lineup Impact Rating 24/25: 240.96
- Lineup Impact Rating 25/26: 285.65
A jump of nearly 45 points demonstrates a tactical and cultural shift. Bournemouth players are performing more actions, at a higher quality, across the pitch.
Iraola: The Architect of the Future
After losing key defensive players, many expected Bournemouth to regress. Instead, under Andoni Iraola, they became stronger in every department. His tactics amplify collective effort, encourage players to contribute in all phases, and most importantly, unlock hidden potential in stars like Semenyo and newcomers like Diakité.
Andoni Iraola’s success comes from a few tactical pillars:
- High Press, High Reward: Bournemouth ranks among the most aggressive pressing teams, with attackers and midfielders initiating defensive actions close to the opponent’s box.
- Compact Verticality: When the ball is won, transitions are immediate. Two or three passes are enough to reach the box.
- Shared Responsibility: Defending and attacking are everyone’s jobs. Impact Ratings show forwards contributing defensively and defenders stepping into build-up play.
- Positivity in Actions: Every player is encouraged to take risks—press, tackle, dribble, switch play. This volume of positive actions boosts both their IR and their effectiveness on the pitch.
With Bournemouth’s trajectory pointing upward, Iraola has proven he isn’t just one of the Premier League’s most exciting coaches – he’s one of the future architects of European football.
