#5-3-2

How Louis Van Gaal can play with a 5-3-2 at United

Netherlands vs Costa Rica. A quarter final match at the 2014 FIFA world cup. As the match was heading into a penalty shoot-out,  the Dutch manger looked upon his substitutes bench and brought on Tim Krul , a Goal keeper, with seconds to spare and eventually won the Netherlands their right to a World Cup semifinal place, diving the correct way for each Costa Rican spot-kick. This was a tactical…

How Louis Van Gaal can play with a 5-3-2 at United

Netherlands vs Costa Rica. A quarter final match at the 2014 FIFA world cup. As the match was heading into a penalty shoot-out,  the Dutch manger looked upon his substitutes bench and brought on Tim Krul , a Goal keeper, with seconds to spare and eventually won the Netherlands their right to a World Cup semifinal place, diving the correct way for each Costa Rican spot-kick. This was a tactical…

“En los entrenamientos estamos ensayando un nuevo sistema que involucra más defensas”. Joël Veltman reconocía así en una entrevista para Ons Oranje que Louis van Gaal estaba sopesando utilizar un 5-3-2 de cara al Mundial de Brasil. La fragilidad defensiva del combinado neerlandés, sumada a la crucial baja de Kevin Strootman en la cita mundialista, ha motivado al ex técnico del Bayern de Münich a cambiar el clásico 4-3-3 holandés por una formación más conservadora.

El éxito del Feyenoord esta temporada se ha debido, en gran parte, al buen hacer de su entrenador, Ronald Koeman. El preparador decidió a mediados de curso implantar un esquema 5-3-2, en detrimento del habitual 4-3-3, mostrando así el equipo su cara más sólida de la temporada: siete victorias consecutivas que permitieron al conjunto feyenoorder clasificarse para la Champions League la próxima campaña. Van Gaal ha tomado nota de la fórmula y ya está probando en el stage de Hoenderloo la eficacia del 5-3-2 con la vista puesta al durísimo Mundial que se le presenta a la selección Oranje. Con tres centrales y otros tantos centrocampistas buscará armar a su equipo y dar libertad a Van Persie y Robben como referentes ofensivos.

Kongolo y Clasie pugnan por un balón en el stage de Hoenderloo. / Getty

El abanico de posibilidades que se le abre ahora a Van Gaal es amplio, tanto en la defensa como en el centro del campo. De Vrij y Martins Indi, acostumbrados al 5-3-2, parten con muchas opciones de ser titulares en el eje de la zaga, casos idénticos al de Janmaat en el carril derecho. Más dudas hay por saber quién ocupará el puesto de “libre”, por el que en principio compiten Ron Vlaar y el talentoso Veltman. Veloz, fuerte y con un exquisito trato del balón, Virgil van Dijk podría ser el jugador idóneo para cumplir ese rol, pero se encuentra olvidado por el seleccionador.

Beneficiado por el nuevo sistema de juego, el jovencísimo Terence Kongolo podría terminar ganándose un hueco en el once como lateral izquierdo, posición que ha desempeñado con asombrosa solvencia en el Feyenoord. Esto desplazaría a Daley Blind, fijo en la defensa de cuatro, al centro del campo. Allí acompañaría a Jordy Clasie o Nigel de Jong y a Wesley Sneijder, con menos opciones de titularidad para Klaassen y Van der Vaart.

El Tri barely made the World Cup as it couldn't find any consistency during qualification. That could be due to the fact that the Mexican Federation shuffled through a slew of coaches and different lineups or it could be because Mexico is dipping in talent. I think it's the former and maybe Mexico will be better for weathering the storm and punching a ticket to Brazil. Group A has a team already basically getting through to the next round, so Mexico will have to duke it out with Croatia to get enough points to advance. Here is my projected starting XI for when they kick off the tournament:

Formation: 5-3-2 (Coach: Miguel Herrera)

 GK - Moisés Alberto Muñoz Rodríguez (América)

The 34-year-old is one of many of Herrera's men from his club team (América) and therefore trusted enough to don the gloves when El Tri arrive in Brazil. He isn't as spectacular as Ochoa, but Mexico need consistency and Ochoa (ex-América player) hasn't always preformed well for his national side.

RB (RW) - Paul Aguilar (América)

Aguilar, much like his fellow full back on the left side, essentially plays a winger for El Tri. He has full freedom to sprint forward and get involved in the attack while making sure he is cautious enough to stay home and not leave the three centre backs vulnerable to attack. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSLkqOyEoA (Look how far Aguilar is up for his goal against New Zealand)

CB - Juan Carlos Valenzuela (América)

Another member of Herrera's América is Valenzuela. He is of three solid centre backs in the formation and really where his value lies is in his familiarity with the system. Valenzuela also has some value in set pieces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJ8AEbQcKM

CB - Francisco Javier Rodríguez (América) 

Yet another Águila and he is the anchor. Francisco stands at a staggering 6'3" and he uses every inch in the box. Devastating on attacking and defending set pieces. Also, he's familiar with the system which lock him into the spot.

CB - Rafael Márquez (Léon)

The mighty Rafa. Holder of over 100 caps for his country. The well travel central defender that once held together a world class team in Barcelona is now 35, but with 4 other defenders, he'll only be asked to marshal his fellow defenders with his experience in big games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESTOQ47hvdg

LB (LW) - Miguel Layún (América)

Basically a similar player to Aguilar, with the same mission. Pick spots to get forward to increase attacking pressure, but be mindful of leaving the 3 centre backs unprotected. Only difference between him and Aguilar is that Layún could almost be mistaken as an out an out winger. He has a powerful shot and a light touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3ycsP9NHg

RM - Luis Montes (Léon)

Montes has a decent left foot and plays well in link up play. Much like the rest of the squad, Montes is a less renown player but improves heavily on the chemistry than the all-star squads of Europe transplants like before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVhsDldBlJA

CM - Juan Carlos Medina (América)

Another Eagle. Yes Medina has solid attributes, but mainly he was in the lineup to create solidarity among El Tri. If the warm ups to Brazil look shaky, which I'm assuming they will, Herrera will play it safe and go with a team that knows each other.

LM - Carlos Peña (Léon)

Peña plays with grit. It would behoove Herrera to put him in the middle instead of Medina, but we are assuming he reverts back to what got him here. Peña is a nose-to-the-grindstone footballer, constantly pushing forward with strength and usually finds himself in the box to poach a few goals. Not technically stellar, but does the little things that help a team maintain progress and stay organized.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H23x21P5AeU

RF - Javier Hernández Chicharito (Manchester United) 

Criminally underused by Manchester United, Chicharito is a premier goal poacher and beats the back line better than anyone in North America. The only question is if he'll be in good enough shape to help El Tri come June because the Premier League is winding to a close and he's still being left out of the starting XI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pKZ7Qut76s

LF - Oribe Peralta (Santos)

Oribe Peralta was basically forced into the prior first teams by Mexico's faithful and passionate fans. An absolute beast for Santos and now a fixture in El Tri's attack, Peralta maintaining his run of form will mean everything to Mexico even more so than the European based players because the rest of the team (mostly based in Mexico as well) will draw off him for inspiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6UyhcR__A (clinical)

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Prediction: Mexico will have its moments in Brazil and plant the seeds for a great 2018 tournament, but will not have enough to take the advancing second place position from Croatia.