On the 15th matchday of the Brasileirão Serie A, Fluminense and Corinthians met at Maracanã for a contest between two entertaining coaches: Brazilian Fernando Diniz and Portuguese Vítor Pereira. Timão were fighting to catch up with Palmeiras at the top of the table, and Flu was looking to hold on to their place in the Libertadores Cup qualifiers. Arranged in a 3-4-3, Vítor Pereira sought to defend Fernando Diniz’s functional game by ensuring he controlled the side corridors – an area where Flu usually makes more of a dent. However, the entrance into the half-spaces of players like Arias, Ganso, or Samuel Xavier destroyed the Portuguese coach’s low-medium block. In the middle of the excellent game of Flu, the chances started to pile up, and the result reached an expressive 4-0. On a special night, the goals were scored by Germán Cano (2x), Manoel, and the lucky Fred.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
André Trindade
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 20
- Date of Birth: 16/07/2001
- Club: Fluminense FC
- Career: Fluminense FC
- Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Preferred Foot: Right
Starting with 4-2-3-1, André Trindade played alongside Matheus Martinelli in the center of the field. Fluminense spent most of the game with the ball and, as such, André’s evidence was notorious, primarily through passing – he didn’t miss any against Timão. Whether dropping into the middle of the centre-backs or playing on the back of the opposition’s first line of pressure, André impressed with his ease in drawing the opposition, setting his pressure, and looking for space at their back. He would pass and attack the space to receive further forward, which allowed him time to drive and move the game forward. He was always at the base of the triangles that Fluminense built through the side lanes and originated several elaborate, dangerous plays – as was the case of the third goal, where he drew Timão’s pressure to one side, combined with Martinelli and the space in the back of the opposing midline was found. In short: a treat for any fan.
As Fluminense dominated the game through possession, André Trindade had little to worry about from a defensive point of view. It was rare the time’s Flu found themselves in the defensive organisation. However, from the defensive transition point of view, Trindade left a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, Trindade was excellent in the moments of reaction to the loss. He was aggressive and fast and managed to harass the opponent so that the team recovered the ball closer to the opponent’s goal. On the other hand, he could have been quicker to recover defensively when Timão played directly to the side lanes.
The funniest aspect of André’s game was the way he managed to dominate the opponent by stepping on the ball – something training coaches, for example, don’t like their players to do. By stepping on the ball, André would wait for the opponent to come and then play, allowing him to call pressure and gain another space further forward. All his decisions show an understanding of the game and above-average intelligence.
Rating – A1
André Trindade has the quality and potential to go directly from the main level of Brazilian football to a top European league, including staying in a team that fights, at least, for the European competitions. The Fluminense player is fabulous on all levels, and there is little to point out, especially in his game with the ball. Without the ball, he can improve his defensive transition, something he can work on with relative ease. He is a player in the top tier of football.
Jhon Arias
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 24
- Date of Birth: 21/09/1997
- Club: Fluminense FC
- Career: Dorados de Sinaloa, Club Tijuana, Patriotas FC, Llaneros FC, CD América de Cali, Independiente Santa Fe, Fluminense FC
- Position: Left-Winger
- Preferred Foot: Right
Jhon Arias is a delight offensively. As a result of Fernando Diniz’s approach game, the Colombian had the freedom to roam all over the field. In fact, despite starting from the left-winger position, it was customary to see Arias on the opposite side. His technical quality is supreme. He did what he wanted with the ball, either through the first touch or through several hints on the ball. He had the facility to link up through triangulations and, due to its low center of gravity – he measures 1.68 meters – had the same facility to look for dribbling and leave opponents behind. It should also be noted that Fluminense progressed several times on the pitch thanks to the quality of his dribbling. As well as knowing what to do with the ball at his feet, Arias could also attack the backs of the Corinthians full-backs many times and gain their space to invest in 1×1.
From a defensive point of view, Arias did not stand out, as Fluminense dominated the game through possession. Still, he always tried to react to the loss and harass the following action of the Corinthians players, who usually looked to play straight to the far forward.
Jhon Arias also provided two assists, both from set-pieces – a corner and a free-kick on the right side from the edge of the box. His quality kicking balls was evidenced by the way he put the necessary tension on the ball so that it curves perfectly and is in a position to finish for the one coming from behind. Both goals were assisted to the second post, showing how easily Arias can get the ball there in good conditions.
Rating – A1
From a technical and tactical point of view, Jhon Arias has many tools to reach the top of the footballing ladder. Besides his ball skills, he also has a good understanding of the game: the excellent occupation of spaces, neck rotation, support orientation… If he continues to improve his productivity in the last third in terms of goals and assists, he could easily reach a top European league. If that process is slower than expected, a move to an intermediate club from Dutch Eredivisie, Jupiler Pro League, or Liga Portugal Bwin would be a good step.