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Vasco did not do well, but the draw with Caracas was enough to advance to the knockout stages of the South American. By playing with three defenders, the team showed a defensive solidity never seen before at the start of Ricardo Sá Pinto’s work. The maintenance of a low offensive production, a problem since the beginning of the year, prevented the classification from being more relaxed.
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In this context, the tactical variation was the greatest legacy of Wednesday night in the Venezuelan capital. Something so loaded in the time of Ramón Menezes and that, in two and a half weeks, the Portuguese began to experiment. Only time and, of course, performance will tell if the tactical scheme will really change.
Ricardo Sá Pinto launched a new scheme in Basque – Photo: Conmebol
To control the aerial game, the second ball and have numerical superiority in defense, Sá Pinto opted for training with three defenders: Talles, without the best physical conditions, gave way to Ricardo Graça. The team ranged from 3-6-1 to 3-5-2 when having the ball. Without him, he defended with a line of five – the Pikachu side and Neto Borges, this other novelty in the trip, he retired and congested the opponent’s creation sector.
It worked. The Basque was practically not threatened, very different from the 1 to 1 with Goiás on Sunday. Of the nine submissions from Caracas, only three went to goal. And only one demanded a good defense from Fernando Miguel: Blanco’s header in the second half.
Without taking defensive risks, Vasco could have taken a bolder stance up front. It was not so. Not because he settled for a 1-0 lead in Rio, but because he lacked quality and competence. The same situation as the other games, in which Sá Pinto played 4-2-3-1.
Vasco players celebrate qualifying for the second round of the South American Championship – Photo: CONMEBOL
Example: defender Villanueva, from Caracas, was sent off in the 21st minute of the second half. Even with one more player, Vasco put little pressure on the local team. The game ended with practically the same ball possession (50.1% to 49.9%). The truth is that creativity and speed were lacking, above all. The touch of the ball was bureaucratic and, with a slow transition, facilitated the rival’s marking.
Léo Gil had intensity in the middle, but Andrey contributed little to the attack. Benítez showed good football, but has yet to fully regain his form. And Carlinhos was irregular. Thus, the midfielder had little offer for Tiago Reis, who only finished once: a goal disallowed due to impediment. The exchanges have hardly changed the outlook. There were 10 presentations.
It is clear that Sá Pinto had little time to improve the production of the attack. The team has improved in defense, it is more compact and organized. It takes time. Until then, you can enjoy the place in the round of 16, which has not happened since 2011. And, of course, should improve in the Brazilian. Starting against Palmeiras, on Sunday, in São Januário.
