The coach is still looking for the best solution among the youngsters of Róger Guedes, Yuri Alberto and Timão
Corinthians’ 1-1 draw against Fortaleza in the fourth round of the Brasileirão marked Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s first profound changes in the squad. The main ones in attack, with Yuri Alberto in the reserves and Róger Guedes in the centre-forward position, which is very different from what has happened in much of the season so far, when the two formed a duo.
To complete the formation in 4-1-4-1, Luxa fielded Adson open on the right and Pedro on the left, as wingers. Questioned at the press conference, the coach said that Róger doesn’t play alone in attack, and that the system could turn into a 4-3-3 with the movements of the game.
In practice, however, what we saw was exactly the opposite, as the wingers were often isolated from the rest of the team. Vojvoda’s team scored in a 4-4-2 formation with two lines following the ball from side to side. In that duel, whenever Adson or Pedro received the ball, they were surrounded by three or four opponents.
Luxemburgo always stresses the importance of having players who ‘break the lines’ – i.e. go beyond the marking and coverage – with the dribble, such as Pedro and Adson. Soon receiving the ball surrounded by three markers would no longer be a problem. But to what extent is it possible to rely on individuality against an opponent who concentrates all his players in, at most, 20 meters between defense and attack, as Fortaleza was?!) With the full-backs acting more as articulators, without overtaking, the wings ended up isolated against four markers (Art: SHOOTING!)
The approach between the players, a strong characteristic of the ‘Brazilian style’ defended by Luxa, could be the answer: Róger Guedes, who has already played on both fronts and was second striker at Timão, could leave his post, circulate in attack and help in creation. It is worth mentioning: the match against Fortaleza was only the second in the head coach’s team, and these dynamics should improve over time.
And Yuri Alberto, where does he fit into this team? His entry, centralized, in the 19th minute of the second half, can serve as a reference: while the centre-forward arrested the opposing defense, Róger Guedes returned to play on the left wing and to be more involved in the attack – he was the assist for the goal . It should be noted that, in the press conference, Luxemburgo practically ruled out deploying an attacking pair in the team.
The question that remains then is: how to mount a more collective attack, which does not leave the wingers isolated against three or four opponents, using the same formation as in the last game? As well as reassuring and boosting the team’s confidence, Yuri Alberto’s goal – in addition to the point won – could indicate the answer.
Source: Terra
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