Benitez's Ten Commandments

Posted Sunday, June 21, 2015 by Marca.com

What tactics will he employ? Who should he look to copy? Will he take the BBC off the air? We break down the tricky decisions that lie in wait for Rafa Benitez.

1. From Sacchi to Guardiola

Arrigo Sacchi is the example that Benitez has followed most closely as a manager, although recently he's come round to appreciating Pep Guardiola's way of understanding football.

2. Organisation, organisation and organisation
The main priority for a Rafa Benitez team is order. Everyone defends and attacks together, forming a united block over 25-30 metres of the pitch.

3. System: 4-2-3-1
This is the former Napoli manager's preferred tactical deployment. Ronaldo would shift to play as the sole striker with a line of three behind him, and then Modric and Kroos tidying things up behind them.

4. Adaptability
Benitez will adapt to Real Madrid's historic tradition and philosophy. His side will be a very attacking one, as the Santiago Bernabeu likes.

5. Influences from his European adventures
He's not just well-versed in the techniques of Spanish football, but also the solidity of the Italian game and the intensity of the English league.

6. Using the wings
Real Madrid will look to play a very attacking game, and to manage this it is essential to make full use of the wings.

7. Rotations
Rafa Benitez is a big fan of rotating his squad, and he's not afraid to make a tough and perhaps contested decision, unlike Ancelotti...

8. Game by game
Simeone-style, Benitez believes that taking every game individually is the best approach, whatever the fixture list says.

9. On the ball
Around 80-85% of his training is based around using the ball.

10. The 24/7 manager
Benitez watches over various aspects of his players' lives, such as diet and leisure time.