ETO Fixes Your Team: America
Las Aguilas have had a very up and down 2020. Since the cancellation of the Clausura tournament, America has had a record of 5 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses, scoring 34 goals while receiving 24. On the surface those numbers aren’t bad, however of those five losses, two have been to Cruz Azul, being outscored five to one in those games, a 4-3 defeat to Chivas, and a 4-1 loss to Queretaro. America has only had three clean sheets in that time causing some America fans to trend the hashtag #FueraPiojo. We have identified three trouble areas that will help El Piojo keep his job and keep America atop the table:
- Pick A Formation
- Guido Replacement
- Sure Up The Back-line
Pick A Formation
As a Lavolpista, Piojo has found success in his career using the 5-3-2 formation, leading America to a title with it and using it while in charge of El Tri. During his current spell, Piojo has used his preferred formation, but also a 4-4-2 double 6, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1. So many changes can be confusing to players and he hasn’t stuck with one long enough to get them comfortable with their changing roles. Piojo should stick to what he knows best and return to his 5-3-2 formation which will help with the other two points on this list.
Guido Replacement
When great players leave finding an adequate replacement is a must, the hole they leave in squads can quickly sink a team. In America’s case, Guido Rodriguez’s departure has literally left a hole in the middle of the field. His replacements have not been able to provide America any stability, leaving the team to play further back than they want. Piojo has tried the double 6 in his formations to use two players to plug the area Guido would cover to mixed results. The solution may be in Mazatlan. Aldo Rocha has put up great numbers in Morelia/Mazatlan. Just this season he is averaging 71% tackles won, 90% pass accuracy, 6 Interceptions, and an assist. A move for Rocha will bring some stability to America and with better players around him, his numbers can be even better.
Sure Up The Back Line
America’s back-line has been a pristine or a mess depending on what game you look at, and recently took a big hit with the recent loss of Bruno Valdez. While a lot of the blame has fallen on Memo Ochoa, the line in front of him has been inconsistent and the absence of a solid CDM has affected America similar to the way Fernandinho’s absence shattered Manchester City’s defensive unit this year. With the recent addition of Luis Fuentes and a return to the 5-3-2 along with shifting an aging Paul Aguilar to the left side of a back three along with Caseres and Fuentes or Aguilera could solve their defensive woes and help with build-up play from the back.
