OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL FTW

Tomorrow, we play!

In conclusion to the analyzation of formations and starting lineup, let's take a quick look at Pekerman's campaign in 06' World Cup, since many players on the current NT appeared on that WC team.

WC 2006 player pool (23):
GK: Abbondanzieri L.Franco Ustari
DF: Ayala G.Milito Coloccini Heinze Sorin Cufre Burdisso Scaloni
MF: Riquelme Mascherano Cambiasso Aimar Maxi Lucho
FW: Crespo Tevez Palacio Saviola Messi Cruz

Game 1 vs. Ivory coast.
Pekerman started with 3-4-1-2, against Ivory coast's 4-4-1-1. Very ballsy move considering Argentina's past reputation against African teams.


Argentina scored 2 goals early on, so by half time Ivory Coast was already planning offensive substitution. 55' FW Dindane for CAM Kalou, shifting to 4-4-2. Then Bakari Kone at 62' for LB Boka, making it 3-4-3.
At this point Pekerman's sub was Palacio for Crespo (64'). A fresh leg to strengthen our offensive pressure, in attempt to force Ivory Coast back.
Ivory coast desperated needed a point, so instead of dropping back, they pressed even further forward and started to show real threat. With 2 goals in our pocket Pekerman made his first defensive substitution. Lucho for Saviola dropped us into a 4-4-1-1 (Sorin dropping back to make flat 4 defense).
WIth the wings locked down, Ivory Coast again found themselves inable to creat real chances. So at 77' they made their last substitution, bringing on their 4th forward Arouna Kone for Keita. This is a desperated move to overload our box, and it immediately took effect. Lucho got a yellow at 80th minute and gave out a set play, then Drogba's score made it 2-1.
But Obviously that goal was too late for a team playing 4 forwards. Their lack of midfield control allowed us to maintain decent possession and waste their valuable time. Aimar for Riquelme was simply to waste even more time during stopage.

Game 2 vs. Serbia and Montenegro.
Probably due to the reputation S&M accquired during european qualification, Pekerman started out with the more conservative choice of 4-3-1-2 instead of 3-4-1-2.
S&M planned a 5-3-2 (therefore 3-5-2) to face our boys.
Maxi's score at just 6 minutes in gave the impression that this S&M team wasn't what we expected to meet. And then more offensive opportunities and more serbs struggling at defense... So by 17th minute Pekerman made up his mind to switch into higher gear.
Cambiasso for Lucho allowed us to go back to the formation against Ivory Coast: 3-4-1-2.
The floodgate was opened. We ended up pounding the shit out of S&M.

Game 3 vs. Neitherland.
With both teams guaranteed to 2nd round, this match wasn't of extreme importance statistically. But for whatever reason (my guess to avoid Portugal), Pekerman unleashed his all star 4-3-1-2 to make sure it won't be a lost (in which case we would have to face Portugal instead of Mexico in 2nd round).
Neitherland took their traditional 4-3-3. The fact they didn't use a more defensive formation against this Argentine team that had accquired fierce reputation through first 2 group matches suggests that they didn't value the match very highly either.
Messi for Cruz and Aimar for Riquelme were probably for testing reasons.
Most noticable event of this game was the injury Burdisso sustained. So in the following match against Mexico we had to use Scaloni as right back.

Game 4 vs. Mexico.
Scaloni for Burdisso had minimum impact on general strategy and tactics. But it's notable that this move proved the fact Scaloni's position on that team was defensive substitution, instead of midfielder. Which also brings up the point that this Copa America team has 1 less defender compared to the 06' World Cup team.
Against the midfield dominating Mexico, Pekerman used 4-3-1-2 again.
Mexico brought out this odd shaped 3-4-1-2 with midfield looking like this:
Marquez and Pardo DM
Mario Méndez Right wing; Morales Left wing
Guardado CAM
Both teams scored early and the game was tied 1-1 at 10th minute. Then back and forth, back and forth. At 38' the next real event took place, which was of course Pardo's injury. Mexico used their first sub to bring in another DM (Torrado), general strategy remained unchanged.
And then more back and forth, no real chance was created by either side. This seesaw battle lasted till the end of first half.
At the begining of second half, both teams switched into higher gear. With first yellow appearing soon after the restart. Mexico finally gave in to the pressure at 65th minute and started their defensive substitutions.
First they brought on left wing back Pineda for Guardado, switching formation into the 6:4 4-2-2-2. Then at 74th minute, they brought in yet another DM Zinha (Boca Junior) for the left winger Morales, making it a 7:3 4-3-3, with only 3 offensive players.
This substitution finally eliminated Mexico's options to further modify their formation, and Pekerman saw his chance to modify ours accordingly with substitutions. Mexico going into defense allowed us to upgrade our offensive capabilities by allowing some sacrifice in defense, so we could improve our chance at getting a go ahead goal.
Pekerman made 2 changes at 75', brought on fresh leg Tevez to replace the tired and not performng Crespo. His other substitution was to bring in Aimar and take out Cambiasso. A common method when playing 4-3-1-2 illustrated here.
Then at 84', with the game destined for overtime, Pekerman used his last sub and put on Messi. At this point he not only thought, but KNEW Mexico could not make further modification to their formation without substitutions, so it was safe to use our last sub.
We all know what happened next. Maxi's wondergoal 8 minutes into overtime send the Mexican home.

Game 5 vs. Germany.
This game was analyzed in this article about 4-2-3-1. SAY NO TO NEGATIVE FOOTBALL!

As Pekerman's campaign clearly demonstrated, 4-3-1-2 has very high degree of flexibility and can be modified easily into 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2.
It also assured us that with a doctrine build around 4-3-1-2 and enganche, we won't be seeing 3-4-3 in this Copa America. Because the offensive formation 3-4-1-2 is a closer relative to 4-3-1-2.
Is 4-3-3 still a possibility? Yes. Because it can employ the same set of players suitable to 4-3-1-2. Whether to play 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3 would largely depend on Messi and Riquelme's performance. If Messi Performed well and Riquelme unsatisfying, then I believe we have a chance of seeing 4-3-3. Show them Barça people how it's done the right way.

Back to Part.1