Vélez Sarsfield lost the away match against Independiente in the Copa Argentina with 1-0 after they conceded a penalty in the second half which got converted comfortably. The visitors played in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a lot of variation on the wings and full-backs that are comfortable in making both over- and underlapping runs. In the end, they created a few chances but they were not able to score.
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 in this match
Brian Cufré
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 15/12/1996
- Club: Vélez Sarsfield
- Career: Vélez Sarsfield (Y)
- Position: left-back
- Secondary position: central midfield
- Preferred foot: left
Brian Cufré played as a left-back in this match and he proved to be ready for Europe, despite the fact that he was very unlucky in this match at times and that he could have done better in some areas. When Vélez were in possession, Cufré had a lot of variation in his positioning depending on where his teammates positioned himself. For example, he either positioned himself as left central midfielder when Almada drifted wide, he played in the half-space when Janson stood close to the sideline or he kept close to the sideline himself when Janson played in the half-space.
When on the ball, Brian Cufré proved to have a good ball control, good passing technique and ability to link-up with his teammates in the final third. He played some powerful passes towards the edge of the box which were good. Cufré occasionally tried to play very early crosses. This was not the best idea, despite him getting the crosses into good areas using his good technique. He was very press-resistant but sometimes he got his feet wrong when controlling a ball.
Cufré showed good physical ability in the duels as he has good acceleration, good pace and strength in the duels, besides showing good balance and agility. He won some aerial duels and seems to be a very athletic defender.
Rating – A1
Ready to step up to Europe, but I would like him to move to one of the top clubs in The Netherlands or Belgium first, with the former being the best move for him.
Lucas Robertone
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 18/03/1997
- Club: Vélez Sarsfield
- Career: Vélez Sarsfield (Y)
- Position: central midfield
- Secondary position: attacking midfield, right winger
- Preferred foot: right
Lucas Robertone played as a right central midfielder. In possession, he often liked to drop deep and show off his good passing range to play long passes towards the left winger. Robertone has a very good passing technique and plays pinpoint long passes. When Vélez recovered possession on their own half and Robertone received the ball, he liked to aggressively carry the ball forward to end it up with a good long pass. He did this a few times.
In defence, he proved to have good acceleration which helped him to close gaps whenever he got his positioning wrong or when his opponent received the ball between the lines. He battled well in defence and held his own in the physical duels, despite the fact that he is not that tall and has a slim build. He put pressure high up the pitch often and made sure that the short passing options were limited, but his teammates (the defensive line) did not support him which meant that there was a huge gap between the lines. In these situations, Robertone could have done more to track back.
Rating – A1
Ready to step up to Europe, preferably a midtable team in a technical top 5 league.
Thiago Almada
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 26/04/2001
- Club: Vélez Sarsfield
- Career: Vélez Sarsfield (Y)
- Position: attacking midfield
- Secondary position: right winger and left winger
- Preferred foot: right
Thiago Almada played as an attacking midfielder and the young Argentinian had a very quiet match in which he did not show his qualities that much. In possession, he liked to move between the lines to receive in space, but he could have been more active in doing so in this match. When he did receive the ball, he showed very good close control and ability to accelerate on the ball to get away from his defenders.
The 19-year-old excels in ball control and always has a solution when he is being put under pressure. He has a very good vision and long ball. He got close to scoring in the second half but Romero got in the way and blocked the shot before it could go in. Almada sometimes dropped very deep to support the build-up of Vélez. He got into wide positions where he could receive in space as Cufré moved centrally.
He battled well in defence, like Robertone, and despite his slim build he held his own well.
Rating – A1
Thiago Almada showed that he has talent, but he did not do enough like in other games where he made a better impression.
Note: Maximiliano Romero (on loan from PSV) played in this match as well, but as the quality of the footage was bad, I chose to do only three players.