Understanding what Gilberto can offer TFC
One of the main discussions through the 2014 pre-season was how and if Brazilian forward Gilberto can spark Toronto FC’s attack. His arrival was the first big move made by TFC’s new general manager, Tim Bezbatchenko, and there were mixed feeling following the acquisition of the striker.
When he came in, some thought he was only a target up top for huge, long balls. Instead, so far the 24-year-old forward has shown to be more dynamic than chasing down passes over the top.
See also: Key breakdown undoes Nelsen's defensive approach
He’s a capable, mobile, technical target man. Ryan Nelsen preaches direct soccer and his attacking players are dangerous when Toronto are transitioning immediately. That’s been the approach Toronto have played since Nelsen took the reign in Canada.
As we have seen in the first six matches, under the New Zealander coach, Toronto’s strategy doesn’t include trying to retain the ball for significant stretches. Toronto’s goals rarely come following complex passing movements and the team is at their best counter-attacking or moving the ball quickly up front.
Gilberto provides the kind of forward you need to quickly lead the transition from defense to attack even though the Brazilian Designated Player hasn’t scored through the first month of this season. However, Gilberto has offers something other than goals.
He’s not a classic No. 9 acting as a Peter Crouch-like pivot. Gilberto is an active forward, a good offensive weapon both inside and outside the penalty box. The keys for Gilberto are positioning and movement and especially in the absence of Bright Dike, adds size and pace to Toronto’s attack.
In Italian football, the prototype of this kind of player was Pierluigi Casiraghi. He was not a prolific scorer, except the seasons he worked under Czech Zdenek Zeman at Lazio. But his main duty was to move around and create space for the second forward, Giuseppe Signori. Casiraghi was able to score 41 goals in 140 appearances for Lazio, and in 1996-97 had 14 in 28 matches, but most importantly when he was paired up Signori, he in turn netted 81 goals in 120 games.
As we’ve seen early on, Gilberto is mobile enough to draw defenders out of position and to open spaces for Jermaine Defoe. The partnership between Gilberto and the former Tottenham forward is a work in progress, but so far has shown potential. Defoe’s off-the-ball moves mean he’s a threat beyond the opposition defence. Gilberto is able to offer good movement and a clean link-up play.
The Englishmen flourished when he played around a big, but technical, centre-forward as Emmanuel Adebayor. Although Gilberto is a different player from the Togolese, he still can provide that kind of supporting play Toronto needs to leave Defoe focusing on the scoring duties.
Perhaps a more current comparison could be made between Gilberto and Arsenal’s forward Giroud. The Frenchman is very capable at dropping into deeper positions away from opposition centre-backs.
The question many are asking is what needs to happened for Gilberto to get better chances? That question though it better suited for Ryan Nelsen and how he wants to utilize him. If he wants him opening up space for oncoming teammates, he won’t get many goal scoring opportunities himself. If he wants him scoring more, Nelsen should take a closer look at what was employed at times with Tottenham between Defoe and Adabayor, which was a more balanced building-up responsibility between the two attackers.
In the end, Gilberto’s tools do make him suited for Nelsen’s offensive system. He is providing the reliable frontman Toronto was lacking last season due to the injuries to Danny Koevermans. His defensive performances too are noteworthy as Gilberto doesn't fall behind the play and provides support to the midfield when the team is out of possession.
Michele Tossani is a football tactician with a Ph.D. in History. Michele resides in Florence, Italy and is a tactical analyst for Futbol-Tactico.com
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