|
|
Forced to make numerous changes, TFC boss Aron Winter reverted to a 4-3-3 shape for the first time since the season opener against Vancouver. Julian de Guzman made his first start of the year, replacing captain Maicon Santos. Gianluca Zavarise did likewise, he was in for the injured Alan Gordon and Dan Gargan started in place of the out of form Nana Attakora. Meanwhile, Bruce Arena was also without his captain, Landon Donovan, and the visiting LA Galaxy lined up in a broad 4-4-2 shape with David Beckham dropping very deep to pick up the ball.
Winter changes formations
Throughout the season many fans and journalists have referred to Toronto as playing a 4-3-3 formation. The truth is, since the opening match against Vancouver, Winter has played a 4-2-3-1 in every match. It may seem like splitting hairs but there are differences in these systems. The former employs a defensive midfielder between the lines, in this game de Guzman, which allows the two central midfielders ahead of him to get forward. The latter formation places an attacking midfielder ahead of the two central midfielders who now act as a double pivot in shielding the back four. Why Winter changed back to this formation probably has something to do with both Gordon and Santos being unavailable, maybe he is uncomfortable with anyone other than Santos playing as the attacking midfielder, although Zavarise did play there against San Jose. It also may have been because de Guzman was fit enough to start and he wanted his designated player in that deep position, although when Oscar Cordon subbed on for de Guzman the shape remained as Jacob Peterson moved back into defensive midfield.
Beckham given time on ball, de Guzman not
Throughout the game Chad Barrett was tasked with dropping back when not in possession to occupy de Guzman. As Juninho and Beckham pressed Peterson and Tony Tchani, Arena clearly did not want de Guzman to have too much time on the ball. On the other side of the pitch Toronto were happy to concede possession to the Galaxy when they had the ball deep. The problem came when Beckham dropped deep, sometimes between the centre backs, to collect the ball and start an attack. Neither Peterson nor Tchani followed him forward to press him and it gave the Englishman almost unlimited time on the ball to pick out a pass. Furthermore, Los Angeles pressed Toronto very high up the pitch and forced long balls from Frei as Toronto were unable to solve LA’s pressing. This is not the first time Toronto have looked weak against a high pressing side and Winter must work to solve this, especially if he is going to encourage Frei to begin moves with passes to his centre backs. With de Guzman shackled by Barrett, Toronto needed their midfielders and wingers to be more compact and the few instances where Tchani dropped deep into his own half to give his teammates a target is when Toronto’s build up looked best..
Stevanovic as false nine
Without Gordon or Santos, Alen Stevanovic started up front for Toronto. His instinct to get on the ball in deep positions was evident to see as he commonly dropped deeper than his wingers to pick up the ball. His trickery, combined with the unexpected nature of this tactic, meant that he helped TFC earn free kicks in good positions. This was the only real positive aspect of Stevanovic dropping deep as Toronto didn’t have anyone to fill the space he vacated. It is interesting that Winter chose this match to not play with an inverted winger. With Gordon out on the pitch he has an aerial target and a set of natural wingers would provide him with crosses, although Gordon is very adept at dropping deep and creating space himself. Stevanovic isn’t exactly a threat in the air but he can link up well with his midfielders. Switching Martina and Zavarise would have made sense as they could cut inside to fill the space Stevanovic created as well as allow them to get closer to him so that they could give Stevanovic an option when he had the ball at his feet.
Both sides dangerous from set pieces
Even though Beckham was picking out passes for fun, Los Angeles looked much more dangerous from set pieces rather than open play. Beckham hit the post once and delivered a few corners and free kicks that the likes of Magee and Omar Gonzalez should have finished. Toronto, unable to keep the ball in their opponents’ half for an extended period of time, also relied on their set pieces. Jacob Peterson is quickly showing hitherto unseen ability to deliver fantastic in-swinging free kicks, his ball to Zavarise was Toronto’s best chance of the match. Their other best chance was another in-swinger, this time Danleigh Borman finding Joao Plata who somehow was able to direct a shot on target.
What could TFC have done differently?
Aron Winter’s decision to change to a 4-3-3 in this match was most likely forced, but sticking with a 4-2-3-1 was probably the right decision in the end. Beckham was simply given too much time on the ball and a player stationed as an attacking midfielder would have denied Beckham time to pick out his teammates and allowed Toronto to press more effectively. After a fantastic display of pressing in the second half of the San Jose game, Toronto were disappointing in allowing their visitors too much time on the ball. Zavarise would have been a good candidate for this position against LA, his high octane style and work rate would make him a good opponent for Beckham. Offensively a 4-2-3-1 would also have made more sense. Chad Barrett would probably have been reluctant to press one of the two central midfielders and this would force Juninho and Beckham to come forward, leaving Zavarise alone between the lines. Arena would have either had to instruct Barrett to drop very deep to deny Toronto’s midfield or else run the risk of Zavarise being alone.
Conclusion
A contrast of pressing allowed Los Angeles to have the better of the game but in truth they weren’t overly impressive. When Toronto were allowed to get back into their shape the Galaxy were unable to create too much and relied on set pieces. Toronto seemed to come into the game in the last 10-15 minutes and this may have been because of fatigue setting in to their high pressing visitors who played their second straight road game. Neither a terrible nor great result for Winter who should have done something to shackle the opposition’s passers while freeing up his own.
|