LDU Quito were beat 3-0 by River Plate in what was quite an even game until River Plate scored the 1-0 early in the second half. River Plate played in a 4-3-3 formation on paper but it looked more like a narrow 4-4-2 with Rafael Santos Borré dropping deep between the lines and Julian Alvarez and Matias Suarez moving inside and play as strikers. LDU Quito set up in a 4-4-2 and liked to try to control the game by playing with confidence and playing a lot of smart passes forward. They created a few chances through Adolfo Muñoz but could not convert their chances to make it 0-1 in the first half. They had more trouble in the second half and River Plate got a comfortable 3-0 win in the end.
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, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Adolfo Muñoz
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 12-12-1997
- Club: LDU Quito
- Career: El Nacional, LDU Quito
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary position: Second Striker, Right Winger
- Preferred foot: Right
Adolfo Muñoz played as the left midfielder in the game against River Plate and was the best player on the pitch for LDU Quito. He was very active in transition from defence to attack and spotted the right moments to get forward and open up passing lanes for his teammates to play to. He spotted space well both in the final third and near the halfway line. The latter was very effective for LDU in possession as they could break lines with their passing and progress higher up the pitch because of Muñoz’s off the ball movement. Muñoz had the chance to score the 0-1 early in the first half when a cross was being put in from the right side but the Ecuadorian footballer could not connect with the ball on his left foot and the chance was wasted. It must be said that it was a hard chance though.
The youngster moved outside to provide width for LDU when they wanted to control possession but also moved inside when he saw that he needed to open up a passing lane as the midfield of LDU was being put under pressure. He also tucked inside when Ayala would stick close to the sideline while pushing higher up the pitch. Muñoz showed good agility and technique when he got put under pressure. He controlled the ball well and scanned well to see where his teammates and opponents were. The 22-year-old could turn quickly using only one touch and showed great vision in the attacking play. He created a big chance for Julio after moving into space well and he played the perfect pass to Julio who couldn’t finish the chance off.
Muñoz created another big chance for LDU when he made a good run in behind after the corner got cleared by the defender of River Plate. He kept calm, cut away from his opponent and passed it into Quinteros who couldn’t finish off the chance as well. The Ecuadorian was more quiet in the second half and sometimes looked quite frustrated when he wouldn’t receive the pass from his teammate as he made some good runs but he didn’t get found that often. He worked hard in defence and looked disciplined. It was only at one occasion that he lost discipline and he got awarded a yellow card for his late challenge on Gonzalo Montiel. However, he did well to recover possession and to close down gaps at times.
Rating – A1
He looked impressive and I’m curious to seeing him play in the Ecuadorian league itself to see if he has outgrown the league already.
Note: I also kept an eye out for Jhojan Julio but didn’t have enough notes on him as he wasn’t that involved in possession. In short, he had some good moments on the ball and showed good dribbling ability, missed a big chance in the first half and had bad decision-making in the final third.
Target Scouting 