Independiente del Valle and Barcelona SC faced each other in the Estadio Banco Guayaquil. They drew 1-1 in what was a very intense and entertaining match. Independiente del Valle set up in a 3-4-2-1 in the first half, but changed to a 4-3-3 in the second half with wide central defender Segóvia moving to the left-back position and Alan Minda moving from the left wing-back position to the right-wing position. Barcelona SC set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and were often forced to having a more direct approach. Independiente del Valle created many chances through the creativity of Minda and Sornoza. They opened the score halfway the first half but Barcelona SC equalized quickly after a mistake by goalkeeper Ramirez. Ramirez made up for that mistake as he saved a penalty from Nixon Molina in the last minute of 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 a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Alan Minda
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 14/05/2003
- Club: Independiente del Valle
- Career: CD El Nacional (Y), Independiente del Valle (Y), Independiente del Valle
- Position: Left Midfield
- Secondary position: Right Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Alan Minda recently returned from injury after he tore his ACL in October 2021. The Ecuadorian winger played as a wing-back in the first half, but moved to the right wing position in the second half. Standing at 1.70 meters with a normal build, Minda has an okay frame for a winger. He has a low centre of gravity and still looked agile, which was good to see. The Ecuadorian youngster is very quick on the first meters and is capable of beating his opponent by pace pretty easily at times. Minda moves smoothly and has the ability to surprise his opponent with his quick changes of direction. He almost always came out on top against the Barcelona defenders who failed to stop him on numerous occasions. The Ecuadorian youngster has the ball on a string when dribbling. He is very skilful in the small spaces.
Minda provided width for Independiente del Valle pretty often. During the times that he received the ball while hugging the touchline, his first touch was occasionally a bit bouncy. He always carried the ball inside and liked to play a quick combination in the center, continuing his run after playing a diagonal pass towards one of the attackers. Minda created one big chance by doing this, but his good effort was saved by Barcelona’s goalkeeper Burrai. After a very explosive start, Minda slowed down later in the game but I think this was his first start after his injury, which could be an explanation for this. Defensively, Minda looked very much out of place which is not weird as he is not a wing-back. He followed his opponent around but let him to do what he wanted to do and did not disrupt him at all. Minda also did not have good defensive awareness as he failed to scan several times, allowing his opponent to make a dangerous blindside run.
Rating – A2
I think he needs some time to get back to his top level, but Minda was already looking very promising in this match. He could struggle at Independiente del Valle if they continue playing without a winger, but against weaker sides he would be very good in this system. I see Alan Minda as a left-winger. He has the potential to play in Belgium within one or two seasons and I think that he has a higher ceiling than Anthony Valencia.
Target Scouting 