tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post5251953980043889139..comments2023-08-21T08:32:03.604-03:00Comments on santapelota: Inheriting the mantle: Luxemburgo and the Brazilian TraditionRoberticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-73317369221607078682009-08-24T01:14:58.911-03:002009-08-24T01:14:58.911-03:00"..Cesc as part of a 3 man midfield was very ..."..Cesc as part of a 3 man midfield was very nice to see"<br /><br />Absolutely. I always thought that Arsenal would benefit under a three man mid-field to maximise their Barça-esque approach. Apart from last year's misadventure as the No.10 in a 4-2-3-1, Cesc has been able to play his natural game a bit deeper only now more effectively, what with a holding midfielder behind him and a second 'interior' flanking him.Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-5507594757289784412009-08-18T16:15:10.950-03:002009-08-18T16:15:10.950-03:00whichever way you slice it, like Sid Lowe said on ...whichever way you slice it, like Sid Lowe said on the podcast, Liverpool were RUBBISH.<br /><br />Arsenal looked great though, Cesc as part of a 3 man midfield was very nice to see.Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-44032940966697890882009-08-18T11:14:59.513-03:002009-08-18T11:14:59.513-03:00No, I can't see Mascherano doing that. And eve...No, I can't see Mascherano doing that. And even if he were to do so, Liverpool's approach would change. That's why often we saw Gerrard dropping deep from his position of mediapunta almost beyond Lucas and Masch to try and get things started.Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-65039713351986910592009-08-15T09:22:57.357-03:002009-08-15T09:22:57.357-03:00but you do agree that it will be Masch picking up ...but you do agree that it will be Masch picking up the ball of the cb's and fb's, and providing the pivot at the base of the attack? <br />I'd like to see Agger step into the Xabi role next to Masch when in possession, he has pretty good distribution.Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-89057868108858983512009-08-15T01:38:53.691-03:002009-08-15T01:38:53.691-03:00Steve,
I agree about Gerrard at right back or win...Steve,<br /><br />I agree about Gerrard at right back or wing-back; and yes, I do see the similarities with Daniel Alves!<br /><br />"... maybe Lucas as second holder in the 4-2-3-1, and Aquilani as the third midfielder in a 4-3-3?*..."<br /><br />- By this comment I meant that perhaps Rafa will emply both systems; not just to combat the different types of opposition (ie, weak, strong, elaborative, direct) but also for the sake of rotating his midfielders. In a World Cup year, it is nobody's interests that the players burn out.Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-25043751178259218312009-08-14T23:18:30.346-03:002009-08-14T23:18:30.346-03:00Gerrard to me is not intelligent enough to make pl...Gerrard to me is not intelligent enough to make play any positon, that requires some craft and guile. I think he is an amazing athlete with pretty decent technique and a never say die attitude. I honestly think Gerrard would be the worlds best RB if he played there, I mean how different is he from Dani Alves?<br /><br />About Cesc, I agree Cesc is not a # 10, he has the qualities to play there but it looks like he plays better when he can see the whole field ahead of him, he is more in the mold of Xavi, Sousa, Guardiola etc.<br /><br />I really hope Arsenal do well this year they have quite a few players that I like. I think I have underestimated Arshavin for a while he's quite the player.<br /><br />Speaking of Sousa I have yet to see any of his teams play I'd like to read up a bit on them, I know the Swansea side he inherited from Martinez played some nice stuff last year.Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-55455494490867631372009-08-14T19:40:35.082-03:002009-08-14T19:40:35.082-03:00Hey Steve,
Now I get it: you mean Gerrard would b...Hey Steve,<br /><br />Now I get it: you mean Gerrard would be not a number 10/mediapunta/enganche (or whatever) like he is in the present 4-2-3-1, but rather a second-striker, much like how Robinho plays for Brazil: making wide runs, getting involved in the build up play etc, but never really scheming in between the lines. Or, to be more precise, a bit like Rooney's natural role? Or Van Persie when he is playing just off a big centre-forward.<br /><br />It might work, but I would be concerned whether Gerrard could really make that transition. After all, he was never really even a No.10, and more of a box-to-box midfielder (ideally in a 4-3-3 for my tastes). So having already repositioned himself further forward in a more patient, cerebral role (without dampening his dynamic, swashbuckling nature of course!), would it be just a bridge too far for him to play an extra several yards further forward, with an even greater ownice for getting goles?<br /><br />I mean, there are some players nowadays who can successfully straddle the spectrum between creative linkman and second-striker: Kaka most notably (when he switches from Ancelotti's 4-3-1-2/4-3-2-1 to 4-4-2 during Milan's away legs in Europe), but this is largely because Kaka had often played this very second-striking role at Sao Paulo.<br /><br />It would be interesting what you are suggesting, but I can't help but feel that Lucas/Aquilani (for all their difference in style)would better slot in as the second, more creative holder beside Masch. Certainly the case with Lucas, who I sense is more rugged than Aquilani. By my reckoning, Aquilani is more of a Fabregas-Xavi type.. he needs a lot of freedom to drift all over the midfield and even join the attack. Alonso was always happier to stay relatively deep. So to sum up, maybe Lucas as second holder in the 4-2-3-1, and Aquilani as the third midfielder in a 4-3-3?*<br /><br />*On this note, I expect Cesc will benefit greatly from being part of a three man midfield should Arsenal switch to 4-3-3 this season. However, I think that Cesc in the 4-2-3-1 as per much of last season is a bridge too far: he's less comfortable playing with his back to goal for large periods, will not contribute so many goals, and needs to be involved at an earlier stage in the build-up play.Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-19478007789340721582009-08-14T17:15:54.842-03:002009-08-14T17:15:54.842-03:00Roberticus,
I was thinking more along the lines as...Roberticus,<br />I was thinking more along the lines as Gerrard would be the Villa, or Fabregas, playing just off of Torres. Lucas or Aquilani further ahead of Masch but not really the #10 role, or at the tip of the diamond, just slightly further up the pitch something like this.<br /><br />Johnson-Caragher-Agger-Insua<br />----------Masch-------------<br />Kuyt-----Lucas/Aquilani--Riera<br />--------Gerrard-------------<br />---------Torres------------- <br /><br />When the going got tough you know Kuyt and Gerrard would do the running in midfield that would need to be done, its not ideal, but when you lost the player that makes you tick, it makes it difficult, even more so when there are not to many around in world football like him. Who would you chose for like for like replacement of Alonso? Cambiasso maybe?<br /><br /><br />Probably a bit too attacking for a Benitez team but a braver manager I am sure woudl try it.Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-11911966494112504862009-08-14T15:50:46.161-03:002009-08-14T15:50:46.161-03:00Hi Oleguer,
I'm still musing over whether to ...Hi Oleguer,<br /><br />I'm still musing over whether to write a second part to the Luxemburgo article, this one would be less critical perhaps, at least acknowledging his coaching acumen and his successes down through the years. As well as taking in his spells in charge of Bragantino (where Mauro Silva became a revelation), Palmeiras (Alex), Santos (of Diego, Robinho Renato -he of Sevilla- Alex of Chelsea,and Elano)...I would hope to extend it to the form of a "what if..." article; what if Luxemburgo hadn't been sacked by Madrid in December 2005 - all this in light of Perez's second stint at the Bernabeu.<br /><br />Looking forward to your posts on the GU blogs!<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />RobRoberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-45374334637265337382009-08-14T15:44:33.017-03:002009-08-14T15:44:33.017-03:00Steve,
what you suggest there is a distinct possi...Steve,<br /><br />what you suggest there is a distinct possibility, and tactically it is perfectly cohesive. But would it justify reforming the present set up with Gerrard just behind Torres? Maybe not as a plan A, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Benitez played this system (a 4-1-2-3) against weaker teams so as to bag the 3 points. The trouble is, where would Gerrard play in such a set-up, assuming Aquilani and Lucas were to take the 'inside' midfield roles? Unless Benitez actually plans to extend this to a diamond with Gerrard at the tip?<br /><br />If this 4-3-3 does become Rafa's plan A, then I'd expect the two roles ahead of Mascherano to go to Gerrard plus one of Aquilani/Lucas/Benayoun.<br /><br />Obviously then it would be Babel and Kuyt either side of Torres up front (Riera is less of a winger and more of a solid wide midfielder, in my opinion).<br /><br />By the way, I liked the look of Kuyt and Van Persie swapping the centre-forward and right-wing positions in the Holland vs England friendly. Liverpool's hypothetical 4-3-3 would not be as fluid perhaps (and considering Torres isn't as adept at build-up play as Van Persie), but I'm sure Benitez will at least have studied it as a potential source of inspiration.Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-15532916952017919342009-08-12T17:41:49.002-03:002009-08-12T17:41:49.002-03:00Roberticus,
Out of curiousity, what do you make o...Roberticus,<br /><br />Out of curiousity, what do you make of Liverpool this year and the loss of their dictator Alonso, and this whole bid about Aquilani and Lucas playing further ahead of Mascherano?<br /><br />You think they are going to use Masch similar to Senna for Spain, sort of similar to an Argentine #5? A ball playing/destroying volante all in one?<br />I think Masch is better with the ball and more intelligent then most people give him credit for, that being said I don't know much about Aquilani but not sure that Lucas is the quality CM that Liverpool needs.Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-15190739365867916982009-08-11T18:39:02.651-03:002009-08-11T18:39:02.651-03:00very interesting piece. I sort of knew Luxemburgo ...very interesting piece. I sort of knew Luxemburgo through 3 things..1 was his success at Santos, second was his magic rectangle or whatever that was at Madrid, where he didn't have the fullbacks for any width and at some point played around 7 defenders/defensive minded players(obviously the back 4 and Pablo Garcia, Diogo and someone else in midfield) and the third was at a time when he was rumored to coach Iran and even had a fairly decent offer but it didn't happen. I just checked out his career on Wikipedia and I don't think that any coach has managed so many teams in his career. 25 coaching stations in 26 years...respect.<br />Unfortunately, I can't really speak or understand Portuguese, but I guess he would be fun.Ulaguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520778475624071580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-85581574476483114442009-08-11T17:25:56.135-03:002009-08-11T17:25:56.135-03:00actually whats next is...
Luxe pede por paciência...actually whats next is...<br /><br />Luxe pede por paciência!<br /><br />http://luxemburgo.blog.uol.com.br/Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-64978265731912492222009-08-11T17:13:18.239-03:002009-08-11T17:13:18.239-03:00Yep Steve,
You would have thought that most profe...Yep Steve,<br /><br />You would have thought that most professional football coaches would value some privacy away from the stresses of the game.<br /><br />What's next? Luxe estreia numa novela?Roberticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156151793691858430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510287918029358028.post-32153493265496889132009-08-10T11:36:00.478-03:002009-08-10T11:36:00.478-03:00Great post Roberticus!
About Vanderlei Luxemburgo...Great post Roberticus!<br /><br />About Vanderlei Luxemburgo, I don't think there is a coach out there who uses social media as much as he does, he has a twitter account and a blog!<br /><br />http://twitter.com/vluxemburgo<br /><br />http://luxemburgo.uol.com.br/Steve Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154902380521066618noreply@blogger.com