Andoni Iraola Tactics At AFC Bournemouth 2025/2026 – The Striking Similarities To Nottingham Forest – Data Analysis

After 11 weeks of the 2025/2026 Premier League season, Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola find themselves just one point off the top four, an achievement few would have predicted at the start of the campaign.

The Cherries have quietly evolved into one of the league’s most intriguing sides, combining intensity, structure, and technical quality in a way that reflects Iraola’s clear tactical identity.

As surprising as their position may seem, the question remains: Does the data truly support this rise, or is it simply an overperformance waiting to regress?

This data analysis report aims to explore that very question, comparing Bournemouths start to the 2025/2026 campaign with Nottingham Forests success under Nuno Espírito Santo in the previous term.

Through an in-depth breakdown of Bournemouth’s performances across different phases of play, from their high pressing and defensive compactness to their structured build-up and direct attacking transitions, we’ll attempt to uncover the underlying factors behind their success.

Beyond team dynamics, we’ll also highlight the individual players who have notably improved under Iraola’s guidance, transforming from functional squad members into key contributors within a system that rewards intelligence, energy, and adaptability.

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Pressing Intensity & PPDA  Measuring Bournemouth’s Relentless Approach

Few teams in the Premier League have pressed with the consistency and aggression Bournemouth have shown under Andoni Iraola this season.

Across the opening 11 matches, their PPDA (Passes per Defensive Action), the key metric for measuring pressing intensity, highlights a side fully committed to proactive defending.

Bournemouth recorded a PPDA below 10 in 80% of their matches, a clear indicator of how effectively they restrict opponents’ time and space on the ball.

Bournemouth PPDA Under Andoni Iraola – First 10 PL Games (2025/2026)

Their best figures came against Nottingham Forest (6.97), Wolves (6.63), and Brighton (7.97), all matches where their press effectively suffocated the oppositions build-up and directly contributed to positive results.

Interestingly, the contrast between matches against elite sides and mid-to-lower-table opponents offers tactical insight.

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