“It is difficult for him to adapt to a big team”: This is how they think about Williams Riveros, the possible reinforcement of the ‘U’ in defense

After the ‘U’ tour of Chile, Carlos Compagnucci seems to have favored a new tactical system: 3-5-2. And for that he needs another defender, one who has experience playing like this. Riveros, in his wide CV, has a history of settling in as a libero in a back of three centrals. Although he has also played with one more back, so that versatility could be beneficial.

The Paraguayan would be arriving in the next few days to sign with the cream cast. He played last year at Cerro Porteño in his country and his pass belongs to Barcelona SC, but the club does not have it in his plans, so it was not a complicated negotiation.

In these days in which his last name is mentioned a lot and his best plays are reviewed on YouTube, the ‘U’ fan has something to hold on to. The optimists will remember that he was the starting center-back in the 2021 Libertadores in which the Ecuadorian team reached the semifinals. The naysayers might pull out the lousy record he has behind him: the time he allegedly bet against his own team in a game he played in and they just lost.

From Ecuador they told us that this issue never had a clear conclusion, although it was always rumored to be true, for which reason the leaders themselves lowered their finger. In fact, Full sport of Trade He spoke with four northern journalists who gave us better insights into which player is reaching the ‘U’, what reinforcement the cream shirt will wear this 2023 in which the club will seek to end the ten-year drought without titles.

“It’s hard for him to adapt to a big team”

Born in Asunción in 1992, Williams Riveros he was always a warrior. He went from cleaning furniture at home before becoming a professional to “going hungry” in Argentina when he played for Flandria and Temperley, two promotion clubs. But 2018 was the best year of his career. In the second half of the year he was signed by Delfín SC of Ecuador at the request of Fabián Bustos, brother of the former Alianza Lima coach who was champion with the Intimates in 2021.

With the aquatic team, he won the Pro League (Series A) in 2019 and was runner-up in the 2018-19 Ecuador Cup. He played 69 games, scored seven goals and provided three assists to be considered one of the best in his position. After the historic title, Barcelona SC signed Bustos as coach and Riveros as center back, as well as Piñatares as brand midfielder.

“When he arrived at Delfín, he stood out for his temperament. He was the team leader. He showed a good passing game, anticipation and ball release. That’s why Bustos took him to Barcelona”comments William Dávila Bastidas, a journalist for the international network ESPN. “He was a great player. He pitched very well in both areas and with an excellent profile ”adds John Lester, a northern press man with many years of experience.

The Paraguayan had a good start with the Ecuadorian Barça, but he did not know how to sustain it. And therein lies the problem. “His level went down over time, but if he regains his confidence he can provide security to his team. He has good conditions, but like every player he may not adapt to his new team”comments Luigi Marchelle, also from ESPN, who lives in Guayaquil and closely followed Riveros’ footsteps.

“I think he had trouble fully adapting to a big team. He did not stand out in Barcelona as in Delfín. Obviously in Barcelona you have a lot more pressure”adds Davila.

The truth is that Williams did not play much in his last stage in Barcelona, ​​also due to an alleged bet he made against his team, something that, although it is true there was never an official statement, did not go down well with the leadership, much less in the technician Bustos. That is why he went to Cerro Porteño in his country where he barely played 14 games throughout 2022.

“He feels more comfortable playing close to his goalkeeper, it is more difficult for him when there is a lot of distance with the goal”analyzes Marchello, something that could go against what Compagnucci is looking for in this new ‘U’: attack, propose and play as close as possible to the rival area.

“I don’t think it can be classified as a ‘great reinforcement'”says Maité Montalvo, a journalist for Radio La Red in Quito. “He has not had the necessary continuity in the last year and what he has shown so far is not a player who makes so much of a difference. He is interesting, he has qualities and contributes to the collective, whether he stands out alone or stands out, it was not seen like that here ”sentence.

After the tour of Chile and the days of preparation, the ‘U’ decided to strengthen its central defense. The fans hope that the Williams Riveros that arrives at Ate will be the same one that was champion with Delfín.