“It is a very competitive scheme, but very demanding”: Fossati’s 3-5-2 and why it can be beneficial for the national team | ANALYSIS

How will Fossati incorporate the system? Gradually. Perhaps that is the reason why the coach preferred to decline the friendly against Italy, no matter how much the mention irritates him. Exposing the team against a top European rival with a new scheme would have been suicidal and inconvenient in motivational terms. Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic will produce less resistance, which will allow the process to begin with less pressure on the lines and more tactical flexibility.

In the eighties, when Bilardo popularized the scheme, Olarticoechea and Giusti They could, more or less, fulfill the role in Argentina in ’86. Decades later, however, it was considered that the top-level pace prevented the full-backs from being able to do the double offensive and defensive work in a complete manner. However, in the last five years Guardiola and Mourinho They used the strategy without problems, as well as the Napoli by Mazzarrihe Lyon by Rudy Garcíahe Bayer Leverkusen by Xabi Alonso wave Juve of Conte and Allegrito name just a few examples.

The key, in all cases, is to ensure the route along the wings. In the case of Peru, on the left, the scheme buries the possibilities of Trauco, a classic full-back, with good footing, but without going back and forth. On the right, Fossati should prefer Advíncula, who in Boca has played as a defender and winger, but has a good replacement in Polo, whom he knows from the “U” and guarantees him the necessary trot (although less marking). A nice dilemma.

The rest of the eleven can be completed naturally. In the absence of Tapia and Aquino, the holding midfielder will be Cartagena or Santamaría, accompanied by Quispe (fixed starter) and Peña (with options for Távara, hopefully).

What is the potential problem with the 3-5-2? Basically two. The first is that if the wingers do not return, the backs are exposed to one on one. In turn, the formation depends a lot on the central midfielder and his ability to withdraw and deploy. The second problem is of a practical nature: many hours and training are needed for players to incorporate and master the tactic (think of the Alianza fan in the second national final last year). In other words: that is the reason why the 3-5-2 is not seen in training teams or in low-performing leagues.