Independiente got their 2023 reserve league campaign underway with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Talleres on home turf. El Rojo lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and largely dominated proceedings, resulting in frequent spells of sustained pressure with Talleres penned in their own defensive third. In spite of the fact that they spent most of the game in the ascendancy, Independiente would eventually become architects of their own downfall. Momentary lapses in concentration were well capitalised upon by Talleres.
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
Thiago Mastrolorenzo
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 27/01/2005
- Club: Independiente
- Career: Independiente
- Position: Attacking Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Thiago Mastrolorenzo lined up as the second-striker, playing in behind centre forward, Santiago Ayala. Physically, Mastrolorenzo is small in stature and slight in build, though I’d argue that this aids his game more than it hinders it. Within the opening few minutes, the teenager showcased his ability to weave in and out of oncoming challenges whilst maintaining total control over the ball. He possesses great balance and a low centre of gravity which enables him to evade opponents – particularly in tight spaces – with relative ease. Mastrolorenzo exhibited a decent initial burst of pace which also proved pivotal when attempting to elude tackles.
Almost immediately, Mastrolorenzo demonstrated his technical security. Frequently, he displayed an impressive first touch, coupled with the ability to receive the ball on the half-turn whilst under pressure. The 18-year-old regularly drifted into the left half-space; where he seemed most comfortable. On multiple occasions in the first half, Mastrolorenzo highlighted his capability to thread well disguised eye-of-the-needle passes through the channel between Talleres’ right-back and centre-back. Rather than panicking when in possession, he showed a calmness prior to releasing the ball. One particularly impressive aspect of the attacking midfielder’s performance was his constant willingness to combine in and around the box with the utilisation of short, sharp passes and movements.
Mastrolorenzo did, at times, lose the ball when either attempting a line-breaking pass, or attempting to dribble past an opponent. Rather than berating him for this, I’d suggest it’s just par for the course given the type of player that he is; high risk, high reward. In spite of the impressive nature of his first half performance, the teenager’s influence did wane in the second half. He struggled to impact the game in the same manner and was eventually withdrawn on 65 minutes.
Rating – 2
There was a lot to like about Thiago Mastrolorenzo’s performance during this game. He showcased an impressive skill-set when in possession of the ball and, in spite of his small frame, held his own against more physically imposing players. I’d like to see him sustain the level that he produced in the first half for a longer period, but I’m sure that’ll come with the more minutes he receives at reserve level. I believe he’s a player who could and should go on to play for Independiente’s first team in the future.
Rodrigo Atencio
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 30/06/2002
- Club: Independiente
- Career: Independiente
- Position: Centre Midfield, Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
Rodrigo Atencio was deployed on the left of a midfield double pivot, alongside David Martínez. It became apparent early on that Atencio was the more offensive-minded of the two, and had consequently been given license to regularly join in with attacks. The 20-year-old’s physical build is good. He displayed decent upper-body strength and combativeness when duelling for the ball. His capability to shield the ball when pressured also caught the eye. Atencio’s ability in possession enabled him to standout. Comfortable receiving the ball from both full-backs and centre-backs before driving up the pitch, he was a constant thorn in the side of Talleres and, in truth, they largely struggled to contain him.
Atencio’s speed-of-thought impressed me throughout. Rather than deciding what to do with the ball once in possession, he seemingly had the picture laid out in his head prior to ball-reception. His natural inclination to release the ball in one or two touches – when the opportunity arose – was really pleasing to see. As was his aversion to standing still once releasing the ball. Instead, he was continuously on the move, looking to create improved angles for his team-mates. Atencio’s verticality proved key for Independiente throughout the game. Constantly looking to progress the ball. He displayed an ability to dribble at pace, frequently leaving Talleres players in his wake and propelling his side up the pitch. Decent acceleration coupled with an impressive technical base only aided this. On multiple occasions, the midfielder produced intelligent and well-timed runs off the shoulder of Talleres’ right centre-back, both creating space for his peers and also offering a new passing option.
Atencio routinely found himself in the left half-space when combining with Thiago Mastrolorenzo. He displayed clean-ball striking when delivering, more often than not, pin-point crosses into the box from that area of the pitch. The 20-year-old created Independiente’s only goal of the game from one of these situations, picking out Tomás Rambert in the Talleres penalty area. Atencio demonstrated impressive vision throughout the match, particularly when looking to split the opposing back-line with a ball into the channel.
Rating – 1
Rodrigo Atencio was a stand-out performer for Independiente. He showcased both the physical and technical attributes to warrant game-time at senior level. I feel that he’s now at a stage where he’ll be able to impact games for Independiente’s first team — whether that be from the start, or more likely, from the bench. Either way, he looks to have outgrown reserve football.
Santiago Salle
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 04/06/2004
- Club: Independiente
- Career: Independiente
- Position: Right-Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Santiago Salle lined up at right-back during the game against Talleres. When Independiente were in possession of the ball, Salle largely pushed high and wide in order to create an overload up against the opposition left-back. Physically, Salle’s build is good. He’s well-developed for his age and utilised his physicality, particularly in duels, throughout the match. As previously mentioned, Salle was tasked with advancing and holding width when in possession. He was comfortable when doing so, and displayed a decent turn of pace when either driving with the ball or overlapping his winger. He often won fouls by drawing a challenge from a Talleres player.
Technically, Salle was solid if not outstanding. At times his touch was laboured and heavy when looking to carry the ball at pace, though for the most part, he retained possession well and offered himself as a constant option. Given Independiente’s territorial dominance, Salle spent a large portion of the game inside the opposition half. On two occasions, the 18-year-old slid a deft ball down the side of Talleres’ left centre-back, demonstrating the vision and technique that he possesses to both find and execute a creative pass. Salle’s first thought once receiving the ball was to progress play, rather than opting for a sideways pass. I was encouraged by this as it highlighted the confidence that he has when in possession. He displayed a genuine braveness on the ball.
Defensively, Salle did show some naivety on occasion; the failure to recognise danger during transitional moments. In particular, his lack of slotting back in alongside his right centre-back. Something which would’ve more than likely been exploited against a higher quality of opposition. Salle’s body shape when defending in 1v1 situations was consistently good. Always side-on rather than facing the attacker up directly, allowing him to snuff out danger swiftly and efficiently. The right-back also displayed a solid understanding of when to step in and attempt to recover the ball, and when to drop off. Though, he wasn’t tested massively in this regard.
Rating – 2
Salle showcased some really promising attributes during this match. Offensively he looked threatening and seemed particularly adept at driving up the pitch from deep. That being said, defensively he did leave a little to be desired. When playing in the younger youth categories, Salle was usually deployed a winger/attacking midfielder, so his occasional lapses defensively shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. I do feel that under the proper tutelage, he could become a competent full/wing-back in the future. It should also be noted that Salle was handed his debut for Independiente’s first-team not long after this match.
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