Peru vs. Brazil: What systems did Gareca’s Bicolor face and why being defensive does not work

The Gareca era was the longest in the history of the national team. And it is also a thermometer to know how Peru played against Brazil. With Tigre, we faced them eleven times (nine wins for them, two for us). We saw their faces in the Qualifiers, in the Copa América (group stage, semi-final and final) and in friendlies. This Tuesday (9 pm at the National Stadium), Reynoso will coach for the first time against Canarinha. After a valuable draw against Paraguay, and being the only ones who managed to get points in that condition, it is not unreasonable to think about adding at least one point against the powerful team that has just beaten Bolivia 5-1 with a tremendous dance: they finished 21 timesNeymar had the luxury of missing a penalty and they almost never suffered in defense although they conceded a goal when they were 4-0 up.

Will being ultra-defensive be the solution to stop the offensive power of Fernando Diniz? Will it be enough to place five defenders accompanied by three midfielders – or perhaps four – to appeal only to the few counterattacks we have? The questions hover during these hours: in the coffee discussions, in the journalistic debates and – perhaps – in the talks of Juan Reynoso and his technical command.

Activated the ‘Anti-spy Plan’ in Videna -The coach decided to cover the main court with a huge black cloth supported by gigantic scaffolding-, it is not known what scheme Juan is outlining for the crucial duel against Canarinha. The little that journalism could see was the reinstatement of Alexander Callens, who missed the duel in Paraguay but is set to start on Tuesday.

But beyond trying to guess how he will play Peru at the National Stadium for date 2 of the Qualifiersit is fair and necessary to remember the last duels against Brazil to know how he played, what schemes he used, which ones worked and why he regretted using five defenders.

The 4-2-3-1 system is the most used but not the most effective

Although the balance in terms of results is not favorable at all: one victory and six defeats. The only victory was in the 2016 Copa América in which we won 1-0 with Raúl Ruidiaz’s controversial goal with his hand after a cross from Andy Polo.

Starting in 2019, after participating in the World Cup,

The conclusion is that Peru almost always used a line of four defenders in the background. And the victories they obtained were very well worked, with their own merit, but with the risk of being subjugated and waiting for the counterattack. Yes, Gareca’s Bicolor, the same one that in many games played football that made us remember the best times of our football, always accepted being David against Canarinha.

This Tuesday, with Juan Reynoso on the bench and with many absences, it is very likely that history will repeat itself. Brazil and its figures will come for the three points, and Peru will have to know how to suffer and do damage when necessary.

Five defenders? Serious mistake!

Only once did Peru use a system with five defenders, something new for the players. It was in the semifinal of the Copa América 2021. With the wound opened by the 4-0 in the tournament’s debut, the ‘Tigre’ believed that the most logical thing was to close the lines to a team full of figures in attack with Neymar in all its splendor. Serious mistake: Brazil bombarded Pedro Gallese’s goal and scored one goal – the winning one – in ten shots in 45 minutes.

“It was difficult to settle into the game. We tried to use something new to observe the line of five, but it was difficult for us to string together plays. Even with Brazil being better, a great effort was made and because there was not so much rehearsal time, we had prepared this just days before.”Ricardo said after the game.

The error was quickly corrected with the addition of Raziel García for central Ramos, López (with better round trip) entered for Trauco, Lora replaced the defensive Corzo, and Ormeño entered for Cueva to accompany Gianluca Lapadula. La Bicolor stood 4-4-2, but could not reverse the result and ended up losing.

Another, more current case is that of Bolivia. The highlands went to Brazil at the start of the Qualifiers and coach Gustavo Costas decided to use a 5-4-1 with the aim of rescuing at least one point. Canarinha won 5-1 with overwhelming statistics: they finished 21 times, which was the most shots they took on the first day of the tournament.

Fernando Diniz’s Brazil – apparently against Bolivia – attacks with four stars (Neymar, Rodrygo, Raphinha and Richarlison) that move with total freedom. Ney can appear close to the midfielders asking for the ball, or Rodrygo leaves his zone on the left and joins Raphinha on the right. The sides (Danilo and Renan Lodi) They also play an important role: they constantly join the attack, whether to open the field or set up as interior players.

Given the decline of Luis Advíncula due to suspension and the possible absence of Miguel Traucoit would not be unreasonable to believe that Reynoso is testing a line of five, since he does not have offensive wingers: the replacements could be Aldo Corzo and Marcos López. The coach already experienced playing with five at the back in the friendlies against Germany and Morocco, and – as happened to Gareca against Brazil – he had to change the scheme in the second half and switch to four defenders to accommodate himself better. Juan, a ‘Chess Player’, must move his pieces very well.