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
Cerro Porteño played an away game against Club Nacional Asunción. It was a quite high intensity game and there were a lot of chances for both sides. Cerro Porteño lined up in a 4-3-3 formation and often had a more direct approach, but they showed that they are able to build-up patiently as well. The central defenders showed some weak signs and gave away some chances. In the end, a draw was deserved but it was expected that there would have been more goals in this fixture.
Santiago Arzamendia
- Nationality: Paraguayan (born in Argentina)
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 05-05-1998
- Club: Club Cerro Porteño
- Career: Club Cerro Porteño (Y)
- Position: left-back
- Preferred foot: left
Santiago Arzamendia played as a left back in this match and impressed. In defence, he closed gaps towards the center well when the left central defender stepped out of the defensive line. He chose the moments to step out the defensive line himself well as he intercepted a few passes by simply coming in front of his opponent. A few times, his opponent could make a run in behind when Arzamendia’s starting position was not ideal and a bit too high, but the left-back has the acceleration and pace to make up for it.
In the 1-vs-1 defensive duels, Arzamendia forced his opponent to go on the outside as he had a good body position relative to his opponent, not allowing his opponent to cut inside with the ball. This resulted in his opponent going on the outside every time and Arzamendia has the acceleration to keep up with him to eventually block the cross or intercept the ball. He has a decent physique and manages to win a lot of aerial and ground duels by showing determination, aggressiveness and most importantly a good timing.
In possession, the Paraguayan left-back most of the times stayed back to support the defence when Cerro Porteño would lose the ball. However, he chose his moments to make a run forward very well and came into space a few times. Especially when Villasanti drifted out wide and dropped deeper, there was a lot of space in which Arzamendia dove. On the ball, he showed good passing ability and sometimes managed to find a teammate, playing a powerfull pass in between a few players. Sporadically, he attempted a dribble and he showed that he has good dribbling ability during these moments. He had a good kicking technique, and took some of the dead ball moments.
Rating: A1
In this match, he showed that he is ready to play at a higher level than the Paraguayan league. I think that he is ready to make a move to Europe already, but it is more likely that his next move will be to one of the better teams in the MLS.
Mathías Villasanti
- Nationality: Paraguayan
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 24-01-1997
- Club: Club Cerro Porteño
- Career: Club Cerro Porteño (Y), Club Atlético Temperley (L), Sportivo Luqueño (L), Club Cerro Porteño
- Position: central midfielder
- Secondary position: right midfielder
- Preferred foot: right
Mathías Villasanti played as a left central midfielder in the first half, but moved to the right central midfielder spot after the first half. Sometimes, the Paraguayan midfielder took up a deeper position on the pitch, supporting the build-up. When he did this, he tried to link-up with a teammate nearby by playing it to him and moving forward. In the other times, he played quite high up the pitch near the striker and in these situations he was not that involved in the play, despite making some good runs that created space for his teammates.
He liked to drift wide as well when Cerro Porteño were in possession. From this position, he also created space for his teammates (Arzamendia) when he dropped deeper, attracting the right-back of Nacional Asunción to follow him and leaving a huge gap on the left side of the pitch for Cerro Porteño. Before Villasanti received the pass, he checks his shoulders and handles well after. For example, at once, he assessed that the right central defender stepped out of the defensive line to put pressure on him and he saw that the striker dove into that gap. He managed to play a first touch pass to him and nearly created a chance by doing this.
Without the ball, he sometimes played next to the striker to put pressure in a 4-4-2 formation and he chose his moments well to be more aggressive in putting pressure. When he did this, he showed that he has very good acceleration and that he is able to close gaps very quickly. He made a few interceptions and overall, his defensive ability were good enough but not outstanding.
Rating: A1
Mathías Villasanti has the ability to play in a better league than the Paraguayan league. I think that he could do well in Argentina and Brazil.
Josué Colmán
- Nationality: Paraguayan
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 25-07-1998
- Club: Orlando City, on loan at Cerro Porteño
- Career: Cerro Porteño (Y), Orlando City
- Position: attacking midfielder
- Secondary position: right winger
- Preferred foot: right
Josué Colmán got subbed on in the second half and played 45 minutes in this match. He operated on the right side of the pitch and made a good impact. Colmán showed that he has very good changes of directions, that he has a good acceleration and that he is able to turn the right way. He is able to make a quick, short turn. Nearly all dribbles he attempted were completed. However, after he had a dribble completed his final pass or cross was mediocre. His passing ability was okay, but not outstanding.
Rating: A2
Could be a decent squad player for Orlando City. According to transfermarkt, he is loaned until 2022 but I’m not sure whether that is right.
Target Scouting 