Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Match overview:
The final of the Copa Sudamericana was won by Independiente del Valle, as they controlled most of the game and were the better side. The Ecuadorians played a 4-3-3 formation and tried to control the game by playing it out from the back, while Colon played in a 4-4-2 formation and played more direct. They tried to put pressure on Independiente del Valle, but the Ecuadorians were very calm in possession and managed to find the man in space constantly.
Score: 3-1 Independiente del Valle (25′ Leon, 42′ Sánchez, 90+6 Dájome / 90′ Olivera)
Luis Segovia
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 26/10/1997
- Current Club: Independiente del Valle
- Career: CD El Nacional (Y), CD El Nacional, Independiente del Valle
- Position: central defender
- Secondary Position: left-back
- Preferred foot: left
Luis Segovia played as a left-back in the match against Colón, while he played as a left central defender the last time I saw him play. It could definitely be seen that left-back is not his natural position, but in general he did well and he showed good signs in defence. He defended very well in the 1-vs-1 duels because he kept looking at the ball and was not mislead by the many feints that his direct opponents did.
The Ecuadorian defender sometimes had slight errors in his positioning and he sometimes did not know when to step out of the defensive line, which can be explained as it’s not his natural position. His physicality is questionable as he is too slow and I don’t know about his strength. However, he managed to cover the diagonal runs in behind from right to left very well and prevented the opponents from creating danger by doing this.
In possession, the 22-year-old showed more confidence than last time. He showed that he has good ball control, even though I’m not that keen on his passing technique. However, during the times that Independiente del Valle got put under pressure, he did well to actively look for space to provide an extra passing option for the left central defender. By making underlapping runs, Segovia created space for the left winger to get into possession.
Rating: B1
I think that he is a strong player at the current level, but that he will not be able to make a move to Europe in the future.
Anthony Landázuri
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 19/04/1997
- Current Club: Independiente del Valle
- Career: Independiente del Valle (Y), Independiente del Valle
- Position: right-back
- Secondary Position: central defender
- Preferred foot: right
Anthony Landázuri played as a right-back and impressed in the attacking phase of play. He showed that he is very press resistant and that he can cope well under pressure. Landázuri actively tried to get into possession and this helped Independiente del Valle to play out of pressure. At once, Landázuri made a run between the lines to provide an extra passing option and he set up a chance by doing this. When dribbling, the 23-year-old can lose control over the ball.
The Ecuadorian right-back showed good pace and acceleration. He has good physicality which helps him to hold off his opponent in a physical duel. Landázuri wins a lot of aerial duels. However, he gave away (a very easily given) penalty and he stayed forward in transition while Independiente del Valle were defending a 2-0 lead. Also, like last time, his ability in one on one defending is questionable.
Rating: B1
A strong player at the current level, but his defensive ability is below par to play in Europe.
Alan Franco
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 21/08/1998
- Current Club: Independiente del Valle
- Career: Independiente del Valle (Y), Independiente del Valle
- Position: defensive midfielder
- Preferred foot: right
Alan Franco played as a right central midfielder. In possession, he often drifted wide to create space for himself to receive in space. When he got the ball in this position, he would often move forward with the ball and pass it to the right winger. This situations occurred when Independiente del Valle got put under pressure in the defensive third and one of the right-sided defenders needed an extra passing option.
The Ecuadorian midfielder once again showed to possess a good first touch. He controls the ball very well and has a good technique. However, when he receives in space, I think that he could be more progressive and make a more aggressive run with the ball. Now, it seems like he takes his time to assess his options, which he won’t get in Europe. In short, he can take more risks in my opinion.
He showed great awareness to both get into space and exploit the sometimes questionable positioning by Escobar (left-back of Colón), which left a lot of space between the left central defender and the left-back of Colón. Franco dove into the gap quite a few times but he is not the player that makes that many runs in behind. However, he fulfilled his task quite well.
In defence, the 21-year-old midfielder likes to be very aggressive in transition and he often operates on the right side of the pitch. At once, he made a slight error in his positioning and awareness in the defensive third, as he did not see that someone was making a run in behind and also was not positioned well to anticipate and intercept the pass. This led to a dangerous situation in front of goal.
Rating: A1
Alan Franco certainly needs to improve in some aspects, but I think he should make a move to a better league in South America, where he could work on his improvements very well.
Jhon Sánchez
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 30/07/1999
- Current Club: Independiente del Valle
- Career: CD Sandino (Y), Manta FC (Y, L), Manta FC (Y), Independiente del Valle (Y), Independiente del Valle
- Position: right winger
- Secondary Position: left winger
- Preferred foot: right
Jhon Sánchez played as a left winger in this match and managed to impress. The Ecuadorian winger did well in the tight spaces, but he is also able to make runs in behind. The latter is his best quality and he exploited this perfectly at the 2-0. He saw the space, made a run in behind and used his impressive pace and acceleration to hold off his opponents.
The 20-year-old wanted to square it to his teammate, but in the end the pass got deflected and it went in the goal. Sánchez showed that he has a good first touch, ball control and technique which helps him when he is being put under pressure. In defence, he was disciplined and he often tracked back to cover the runs of Alex Vigo.
Rating: A1
Could make the move to a more demanding league. I think that he would suit very well in a counter-minded team outside the top 5 leagues in Europe or in Argentina or Brazil.