a i prirodno su talentirani za kornere...

Bielsa, knowing that Llorente was very much the figurehead of the team, went to work immediately. The striker was asked to loose his inhibitions, and round his game. He would no longer be simply a target for long arrowed passes from the centre back, but a key component defending from the front and attacking with foresight. The Spaniard was advised to drop off the front line and link with the midfield, lay off balls into wide areas and chase down loose balls in the channels.

He had to be on his toes, quite literally. A video on Basque TV emerged showing Bielsa leaving his station on the sidelines and take up a position in front of Llorente on the field - arms outstretched, screaming at the player to keep moving.

The manager drilled home his message. Llorente followed the instructions, rolling off his marker and using a change in direction from his hips to lose defenders. It was a sign of what was expected, and these new moves were transferred into the real game.

This season, the striker has been more of a handful than ever - showing fine judgement in his running and positional play to unhinge defenders and allow the midfield to push up and support in the gaps he has created.