O’Higgins played a home match against CD Palestino. They set up in a 4-2-3-1 and saw two early goals disallowed after VAR interfered. O’Higgins started to play worse and Palestino got back into the game. They had a few big chances in the second half but in the end it was Tomas Alarcón who scored the winner late in the second half.
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
Tomás Alarcón
- Nationality: Chilean
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 19-01-1999
- Club: O’Higgins
- Career: O’Higgins
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Tomás Alarcón played as the left central midfielder for O’Higgins in the match against CD Palestino. He positioned himself quite high up the pitch when O’Higgins weren’t in possession and it often seemed like he was playing next to the attacking midfielder out of possession with a lone 6 behind him instead of two 8’s and a 10. This did not lead to any problems as they were disciplined in cutting the passing lanes and making it the opposition as hard as possible to break lines with their passing. In possession, he would drop deeper always when the left-back was on the ball. When the central defenders were in possession, he mostly tried to open up passing lanes higher up the pitch while also drifting wide.
The Chilean midfielder has an excellent first touch and technique which helps him to play one-touch football and to progress the ball further up the pitch. He scanned very well before receiving the pass and could handle very quickly as he spotted the players in space rapidly and the execution of this was also very good. He could spread play with both his left and right foot quite comfortably. Tomas Alarcon has a great kicking technique and this was also shown when he scored the winner in the 80th minute which was a volley from outside of the box. He nearly scored another goal in the first half when he tried to lob the goalie in which he succeeded, but the defender of Palestino managed to get it clear.
Alarcón has decent dribbling ability as well as he uses his technique in the right way. For example, he dribbled past a player using la croqueta. He has great vision, even under pressure, and his on the ball ability is very good. The Chilean midfielder was very disciplined in defence when O’Higgins were defending the lead and was aggressive in the few defensive duels that he got into.
Rating – A1
I think that he could do an even better job as a defensive midfielder where he would be on the ball even more and play as the playmaker. He seems ready to step up to Europe after impressing at the Pre-Olympics as well and I’m excited to see what his future will hold.