Fluminense under 20 played with a very strong team against Jacuipense under 20. The Jacuipense squad managed to hold off Fluminense’s attack for a very long time, but deep into the second half Fluminense managed to score from a dead ball situation. Fluminense started in a 4-2-3-1 formation and had a possession-based style. Especially Wallace and Alexsander were very comfortable on the ball and did well to progress the ball further up the pitch. Yago missed a few big chances after getting into good areas.
Youth Ratings
1 – Ready for the first team
2 – Good, potential to be first team
3 – Decent, could make first team squad
4 – Decent potential, unlikely to make it to first team
5 – Unlikely to make first team
Alexsander
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 08/10/2003
- Current club: Fluminense
- Career: Fluminense
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Both
Alexsander formed a duo in midfield with captain Wallace. The central midfielder saw a lot of the ball throughout the game and was one of the most important players in possession for Fluminense. In the first phase of the build-up, he either drifted out wide to allow the left-back Jefté to take up a high position on the pitch or he tried to find space in between the first line of Jacuipense’s press. Alexsander did this really well and often managed to get into possession. His first touch was really good and he, apart from one situation, always turned the right way.
Alexsander is very comfortable on the ball and is not afraid of taking on multiple opponents at once, when there is no option to pass it to. In these situations, Alexsander proved to have good close control, quick feints and good changes of directions. He looked very quick and has an excellent technique. Alexsander’s cross passing was also really good, he did this with both feet and even though he seemed to have a slight preference for his left foot, he seemed to be comfortable playing with both feet.
Defensively, Alexsander was positively aggressive and he was very tenacious in the defensive duels. He had a lot of energy and closed down his opponents aggressively. Alexsander cut the passing lanes very well and was not fazed when his opponent had quick feints as he kept on his feet and looked at the ball.
Rating – 1
Alexsander, at the age of just 18, was the man of the match for me and he looked dominant both in and out of possession. I am curious to see him play against better opponents to see how he fares against these opponents.
Matheus Martins
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 16/07/2003
- Current club: Fluminense
- Career: Fluminense
- Position: Left Winger
- Preferred foot: Right
Matheus Martins is one of the players of Fluminense Under 20 who has already made his debut for the first team of Fluminense. Even though he showed glimpses of his potential, he failed to impress and had a very frustrating match. The winger got into possession a lot in the match, but often seemed to overestimate himself. He liked to carry the ball forward, but often dribbled into crowded areas which led to either a free-kick for Fluminense or to the loss of possession. Matheus Martins has really good acceleration on the ball, and he was a lot faster than the rest of his team and the opponents, but this did not mean that he could run through the entire Jacuipense defence.
He often operated in the half-space, opening up passing lanes for Alexsander, Wallace or Davi, and he has a good touch. Matheus Martins often took a progressive touch but as mentioned before, he often ran into crowded areas. Matheus Martins has very good technical ability, he had good close control and changes of directions. He made one very good run in behind which should have led to a goal, but after he dribbled past the goalkeeper he failed to put enough power on the shot. His through passing was very average in this match, most of his through passes were too powerful and did not reach their destination.
Rating – 2
I think he went into the match with the expectation to dribble past every opponent and put on a show for the viewers of the match. However, he failed to do so and had a very frustrating match. I do think he has potential though, there is nothing wrong with his technical and physical ability, he just needs to be better tactically.
Wallace
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 15/03/2001
- Current club: Fluminense
- Career: Fluminense
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Wallace is one of the few Fluminense under 20 players who already made his debut for the first team of Fluminense. The Brazilian midfielder showed why he has already played for the first team of Fluminense, but he also had some lapses in concentration and a lack of intensity in the game against Jacuipense under 20. The 20-year-old had good movement in the first phase of the build-up and managed to get into possession a lot. Wallace had a good first touch, it didn’t matter how powerful the pass was. He was a very smart player in possession and made football look very simple at times, playing powerful line-breaking passes and distributing the ball very well.
The Brazilian had very good technical ability, but lapses in concentration led to possession loss at times. Wallace occasionally was very sloppy in possession and he could have done better at times. He sometimes also took quite long on the ball and Wallace should have upped the tempo more. He proved to have the technical ability to do so, and this could have helped Fluminense to score the 1-0 quicker than they did now. Out of possession, Wallace did not do much wrong, but his mindset in this match was very different to Alexsander’s mindset. He was not aggressive and did not show determination to gain possession. His intensity level was very low and he should have increased his intensity both in and out of possession.
Rating – 2
Even though Wallace needs to up his intensity and be less sloppy in possession at times, I think his technical ability is really good. I am really interested to see Wallace playing for the first team of Fluminense.