Walter Centeno’s enchanting Deportivo Saprissa

Walter Centeno was hired at Deportivo Saprissa to cheers as he spoke about his attacking style and the will to see his team dominate the ball. The 45-year-old former attacking midfielder, who played at two World Cups for Costa Rica, led Municipal Greca to their first promotion to the Costa Rican top flight in their history. He has also won one Concacaf Champions League while his side have conceded the most goals in their history in the tournament. His side like to dominate possession, stringing intricate passing sequences to find space in the opposition defensive block as his teams are sometimes over-elaborate in possession phases frustrating fans and media alike. However, Centeno is unrelenting in his will to win with style as his team’s will to be the protagonist is non-negotiable as the Costa Rican tactician has even said he prefers working in trying circumstances to motivate and improve his players. He has never crossed paths with Marcelo Bielsa or Juanma Lillo in his playing career, but their styles have obviously influenced his theories on football.

Build-up

From goal-kicks, Centeno’s side will line up in a 3+2 build-up shape as Centeno makes use of three-chain and two chain formations as if it is the latter, a fullback will maintain a deeper position to maintain a three chain or a midfielder will drop in between the two centre-backs. Deportivo Saprissa prefer to work short goal-kick situations with the keeper playing a pass to one of the wide centre-backs while the central centre-back will push into the six space as a passing option as the Costa Rican side will maintain a wide back three. A fullback will push into the midfield zone to create a 2+3 shape as Centeno utilises a generic 3-2-5/2-3-5 positional play shape as a fullback will drop into the three chain to create an overload if the opposition are pressing with two men to create an extra passing option or if the centre-backs push into the midfield line.

In the situation above, Centeno;s side are in a high 3+2 build-up shape as the 45-year-old prefers to have his centre-backs positioned at the halfway line. Deportivo Saprissa will circulate the ball amongst the back three to move the opposition line of pressure to open passing lanes to the deeper-lying midfielders as a pass to break the line will trigger players within the three central attacking lanes dropping deep to receive the ball. The three-chain is spaced out in staggered angles to be able to switch the ball and stretch the opposition to find passing lanes in the centre while the double-pivot is positioned in between the wide centre-backs and central centre-backs so they can evade pressure by circulating the ball through triangular third man sequences before an option in between the lines becomes available.

One of Centeno’s favoured passing sequences is deep triangular circulations to create space for the ball-far winger in the half-space before the wide centre-back will switch the ball into the ball-far half-space for the winger to have a direct opportunity on goal. If Centeno’s side move the ball to the wide areas then the ball-near deeper-lying midfielder, winger and wing-back will work triangular rotations to create space in the centre as the central striker will drop into the free-space to receive the ball as the ball-far winger can also drop into the centre to receive the ball or the ball-far deeper-lying midfielder will push into the space.

Centeno prefers rotations in his build-up shape as if the centre-back pushes up to work a line-breaking pass in between the central lines, the ball-near fullback will maintain a deep position as an auxiliary centre-back as well as a back-pass option while giving the Costa Rican heavyweights security in the case of a turnover. Once the fullback pushes up, this will either trigger the inverted winger dropping deep to receive the ball or the 18-year-old striking prodigy, Manfred Ugalde dropping deep to receive the ball. At times, the inverted winger will drop deep and make a movement into the centre as a passing option with the fullback pushing forward to create space for a pass with blind-sided movement. There is also rotating sixes as in a 3+2 both midfielders are active in build-up play as Centeno can also utilise a 2+4 shape as at times, the ball-near midfielder will push higher and wider into the lateral zone to combine with the winger and fullback with the ball-far midfielder dropping into the six space.

In some games where Centeno utilises a three-chain, the wide centre-backs will push into the midfield three leaving the two centre-backs in a two-chain while allowing the wing-back to push forward, allowing the wide attacker to move into a more central role. The wide centre-back will also act as an auxiliary wing-back to create overloads as the winger will take up a role in central midfield, the wing-back will receive the ball and cut inside triggering an overlapping run from the wide centre-back. In two-chain formations, Centeno could use a 4+1 build-up shape akin to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds with both fullbacks more or less in the same vertical line as the centre-backs as passing options to stretch the pitch and switch the ball in build-up play. In this formation, the centre-backs will be allowed to push into the midfield line to stifle the opposition press and for the centre-back to work passes into deeper lying midfielders.

In their 2+3 shape, Deportivo Saprissa will attract pressure to create space in the six space for passes in behind as their attacking midfielder and other box-to-box midfielder will drop either side of the defensive midfielder but in a higher vertical line. Centeno will also have his centre-backs spaced out but moving closer together as the ball progresses into the opposition half to defend counter-attacks. The centre-backs will be spaced out, so they can attract pressure into the wide areas before making vertical line breaking passes to the attacking midfielder dropping deep to beat pressure and create a breaking opportunity to work a pass for one of their attackers in the half-spaces, giving Ugalde the opportunity to make runs in behind or switch the ball to the opposite flank. The build-up rotations are similar to Gabriel Heinze’s Velez Sarsfield as there is positional fluidity as centre-backs will push into the six space to receive possession as if the centre-back pushes up, the nearest midfielder or fullback will drop behind him into the centre-back area.

Centeno encourages his centre-backs to push up with the ball to create easier passing angles to the six space or one of the attackers dropping deeper. In the wide areas, the defenders are encouraged to beat the first man to find a clear passing lane in between the lines. As the season has worn on, Centeno has looked to utilize much quicker build-up routines to create opportunities for Ugalde to run in behind with more direct central moves as if a central passing lane is available, the centre-backs are encouraged distribute the ball into that area. In their 2+3 build-up shape, the midfield three also look to manipulate opposition pressure, drawing players out of space to give the centre-back the opportunity to work direct opportunities to players in between the lines.

Deportivo Saprissa could also move the ball into the wide areas to work wide interchanges with a view to moving the ball into the centre. Most sides that utilise a 2+3 shape will focus on building up through the wide areas upon facing central pressure, but the Costa Rican side will work the ball to the wide areas with the centre-back playing the ball to the fullback, the ball near midfielder will push up drawing a marker and clearing a passing lane to the six space. Centeno’s side also utilise rotating deep-lying midfielders as in their 2+4 shape, one midfielder can push up to create space for his midfield partner or the ball-near midfielder will work a ploy to draw markers, moving to the wider areas, creating a passing angle for the ball-far midfielder in the six space. The attacking midfielder will also drop into the six space during some sequences or Saprissa could evacuate the area with both midfielders moving either side of the centre-backs, creating wide overloads and allowing fullbacks to push up.

Centeno’s side mostly utilize short goal-kick situations with the ploy of having three men around the box to attract markers and create space for a direct line-breaking pass into the second-line from the keeper. The midfielder will then either switch the ball or work the ball to the ball-near flank to create a crossing situation. When the Costa Rican league leaders move the ball to the flank, Ugalde will move into the half-space as a direct passing option to lay the ball off and facilitate transitions as well as acting as a conduit to his side moving the ball back into the centre for through ball opportunities for an attacker running in behind or for a switch to the opposite flank for crossing opportunities. The rotating players in the six space, especially in a 2+4 formation also make short goal-kick situations easier as they can work one-twos with each other to create space and break the first line of pressure.

Blind-sided movement in the second-line is another facet of Deportivo Saprissa’s build-up as they work the aforementioned sequence of a wide player moving inside to receive possession with a deeper wider player pushing up to stretch the pitch. This is where the attacking midfielder will become active as he will drop into the open spaces to receive possession as in certain situations while the centre-back is pushing up with the ball, the ball-near deeper-lying midfielder will push up into the higher zones to force his marker into pushing up to mark the centre-back or following his marker and allowing the centre-back more space to drive into. If he pushes up to mark the centre-back, the attacking midfielder will drop into the midfielder’s vacated space to receive the ball and beat the first line of pressure. In other situations, the attacking midfielder and ball-near deeper-lying midfielder will occupy the same vertical zone allowing them to swiftly switch positions, drawing a marker out of position and opening up a passing lane in the second line for the centre-back.

Positional Play

Deportivo Saprissa will normally attack in a 3-2-5/2-3-5 shape, keeping possession through elaborate third man routines, switching the ball from side to side to manufacture passing lanes into the ten space to have shooting opportunities from the top of the box or create crossing opportunities in the wide areas. Centeno’s side would prefer to create low crossing situations from the by-line but will cross from audacious areas of the wide zones with three players in the box while they will also move the ball to the wide areas to create 3v3 situations with a view of playing the ball back into the centre. In positional play, Saprissa would constantly work passes into the pockets with the ball distributor continuing his run after the pass for a lay-off from the ball-receiver to drive into the box and have a shooting opportunity. In fact, midfielders will work passes into Ugalde before continuing their run into the box for the striker to turn and look to play them through with a lobbed through-ball.

In the situation above, Saprissa are in a 3-2-5 shape as when the centre-backs push up and move closer together, the centre-back in possession will look to drive the ball into space while one of the ball-far fullbacks or midfielders will drop back into the defensive line to create a three-chain, establishing width on the far side as well as passing angles to move the ball into the next line. One of Centeno’s favourite moves is to shift the ball to ball-far CB who will have space in front of him as the line of pressure has shifted to the other side as the CB will drive into the opposition half to play a pass out wide or attempt a through ball for an attacker. In the opposition half, Saprissa players are encouraged to move into space to receive possession within their particular zones of the pitch with players moving to receive the ball and create space through vertical triangular combinations in two or one-touch moves.

In the situation above, Saprissa have managed to establish triangles on the ball near side to move the ball out of pressure as the high positioning of the centre-back, gives them the option of numerical superiority, turning a 4v4 into a 5v4. If the wide centre-back works a pass to the fullback hugging the touchline then the ball near attacker will make a movement into the half-space to receive the ball and work a low cross. However, the attacker will then also drive into the higher areas to draw a marker to open a passing angle for the ball-far midfielder who will move closer to the player in possession to receive the ball. The central centre-back will also push into the six space to receive lay-offs from higher players to distribute the ball to the player positioned in the ball-far half-space while if the ball-far deeper midfielder is marked then this will also trigger the centre-back moving into the six space.

A favoured routine of Centeno’s is to move the ball into the wide areas before playing a direct longer vertical pass to the nine space for the striker to turn past his man and shoot or lay-off to an onrushing midfielder to have a shooting opportunity. For instance, in the the 3-2-5 photo above, the player in possession will shift the ball to the central centre-back who will move the ball to the left sided centre-back as the opposition defensive line will shift while the deeper-lying midfielders and attackers will also move across. The wide centre-back will either work a pass into the ball-near midfielder positioned in the half-space or the wide zone as the ball-near midfielder will push up once the ball is in the wide zone, the ball-near attacker will move deeper as a passing option. As the Saprissa players converge in the wide zone for a three-man routine dragging the stretched opposition defensive line out of postion, the player in the wide zone will work a direct pass to the attacker in the nine space.

The player in the nine space will either work a flick on for an attacker making a run in behind him or a lay-off to the attacker who dropped into the deeper half-space who will play a pass into the wide zone for a wing-back to make a cross as all three central attackers will converge in the box. Saprissa will normally work elaborate third man routines to create high quality shooting opportunities within the box as once a pass from deep is played into an attacker, this will trigger a third-man runner in behind or a runner making a movement to receive a lay-off before working a pass in behind.

Wide players will usually stretch the pitch, maintaining positions closer to the touchline but once they receive the ball, they are encouraged to cut in and dribble inside to provide direct access to the central players. Deep-lying midfielders, attackers and defenders will move into space to receive possession as in the final third, if a wide player cuts inside then, the striker in the central zone or ball-far half-space will drop back into space to receive the ball. This movement will trigger the other attackers to move onto their defender’s blind-side to make runs in behind to receive one-touch through balls. As the winger or fullback will normally be stretching play, most likely the latter, a ball to the wide area will trigger a vertical movement from the winger to the centre of the pitch as the widely positioned fullback can play a pass to winger and also move inside with the ball-near wide centre-back making an overlapping run to confuse the opposition with numerical and spacial superiority.

Centeno’s side will normally work direct switches to stretch the pitch and create crossing opportunities on the opponent’s weak side as centre-backs and deep-lying midfielders are encouraged to switch the ball into the half-space to isolate the wide centre-backs and wingers as well as switches to the opposite flank to create direct crossing opportunities. Centeno’s team will normally circulate the ball and distribute it into the final third through triangular passing interchanges with players dropping into space to work one or two touch moves as Deportivo Saprissa are unafraid to work back-passes to the centre-backs who work the ball into the half-spaces. When the centre-backs work the ball to deeper-lying midfielders in the half-spaces, the ball-near winger will drop into space and drag his marker deeper, carving space for the striker to move into the channels or the striker will drop deep to draw his marker, creating space for the wide attacker in the half-spaces.  

Counter-pressing

Deportivo Saprissa vigorously counter-press the opposition as a defensive tactic to regain possession before the opposition break on the counter. Centeno’s side can concede goals after losing possession in their own half, but their young and progressive manager looks to remedy this by putting pressure on the ball after they lose it. The Costa Rican side will normally lose possession with wide players dribbling into the centre and risky passes into the pockets as Centeno will instruct his side to counter-press with attackers dropping back to regain possession. If the opposition player manages to nudge his way out of a challenge from an attacker, a midfielder will push up to directly challenge the player in possession while a centre-back or fullback will close the passing lane to his nearest passing option to create an interception opportunity. With the attackers dropping back to look to regain possession and the midfielders pushing up, Deportivo Saprissa create numerical advantages which allow them to force early turnovers.

When the ball is lost in the opposition half, the defensive two or three-chain will be instructed to push into the opposition half to mark attackers and intercept loose balls, so their side can construct quick attacks. With midfielders and attackers creating overloads in the higher areas then the opposition will look to work longer balls forward as Deportivo Saprissa’s centre-backs will push in front of their marker to regain possession and look to work a pass to an attacker in space to create a quick opportunity. If a fullback is caught in the higher areas when the ball is lost, then instead of dropping deep into the defensive shape, he will directly press the man in possession as Centeno instructs the nearest player to the ball-loss situation to challenge the player in possession. The rest of his teammates will man-mark as the opposition will look to switch the ball as Deportivo Saprissa will have a marker in the ball-far area to regain possession or force the ball out for a throw in.

Deportivo Saprissa also counter-press so that they can create opportunities without conceding their attacking shape or their attacking position. The defensive line will normally push up as a three-chain, regaining possession then working a through pass to the half-spaces or a player on the flanks for a cross. In their attacking shape which will normally be a 2-3-5/3-2-5 they can easily transition in between phases to stretch the pitch to create opportunities while there will be more spaces in between the lines to create opportunities with a low number of passes. Centre-backs moving into the opposition half to regain possession allows Deportivo Saprissa to regain possession in the higher areas without conceding space on the pitch with the fullbacks maintaining their high position while Centeno also gives his central defenders playmaking responsibilities with a better overview of the pitch.

Pressing

Centeno is very flexible with his pressing shape as his side look to gain coverage with man-orientated marking situations across the pitch as they can use 5-3-2, 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 pressing shapes. Deportivo Saprissa will press high as they use the opposition centre-back’s ball circulation as a trigger while they will normally move higher when the ball is played back to the goalkeeper. The opposition playing the ball back to the goalkeeper is the most obvious pressing trigger for Deportivo Saprissa as the central striker will push forward to press the keeper while keeping the nearest centre-back in his cover shadow.

In the situation above, the Costa Rican side are pressing in a man-orientated 5-2-3 as they have marked the opposition defensive three-chain and their double-pivot. The central striker is shifting his pressing responsibilities from the central centre-back to the goalkeeper in order to force a turnover or force a long-ball. If the goalkeeper moves the ball to one of the wide centre-backs then, their marker will push forward to engage them in order to force a turnover. If Deportivo Saprissa are pressing in a 5-2-3 shape against a side that use a two-chain, the central striker will mark the space in between the centre-backs while the wide attackers will mark the space in between the fullbacks and centre-backs. If the ball is played to the goalkeeper, the central striker or nearest attacker will push forward to mark the goalkeeper with the two wide attackers moving nearer to the centre-backs but maintaining a safe distance from the fullbacks. If the goalkeeper plays the ball to the centre-backs then the wide players will engage them while if the goalkeeper plays a lob to the fullbacks then Centeno’s side will try to engage them in a 3v1 situation with wing-back, winger and ball-near midfielder or shifting across to regain possession.

In certain situations, the Costa Rican side could have more than one man pressing the goalkeeper as if he maintains possession for a longer period of time, more attackers will push forward to force a turnover or long ball while keeping their markers in their cover shadow. Deportivo Saprissa will also press short goal-kicks as they have had teams that use a short goal-kick routine of the goalkeeper working a pass to a centre-back who is also in the six-yard area. Centeno’s side will have their three attackers positioned outside the box as once the goalkeeper plays the ball to the centre-back, they will move into the box to engage the opposition and win a turnover as the wing-backs will also move forward to press the opposition fullbacks with the wide attackers taking an active role in shifting across to win possession when the ball is played to deeper-lying fullbacks.

Centeno will also use a high 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 press to gain better coverage across the pitch as they will maintain the same principles in pressing with the ball-near attacker always pushing forward to press the goalkeeper while his partner will close the passing lane to the ball-near defender. In certain situations, if the ball is played back to the goalkeeper, the two strikers will push forward to press the goalkeeper together while keeping their centre-backs in their cover shadow as if the keeper works a lob to the fullbacks then Deportivo Saprissa will have the adequate coverage with a winger marking the fullback to force a turnover. If the keeper plays a pass into the centre, then the central midfielders and centre-backs will be highly positioned to win the turnover in the centre to quickly transition into an attacking situation. The Costa Rican side will press to win high turnovers before playing more direct to capitalise while the opposition are disorganised to create high quality opportunities inside the box.

Defensive Shape

Centeno side will normally drop into their 5-4-1 defensive shape as it is easier to transition from a high 5-2-3 press to a low 5-4-1 defensive shape and vice versa. The wingers will drop into the midfield line to support their wing-backs as the striker will lead the press while the Costa Rican side will seek to keep the spaces in between the lines small as they utilise back-passes as a pressing trigger to push up and transition into a high press. Deportivo Saprissa would prefer to not be in defensive situations for long periods of games, so they will use a variety of triggers to regain possession and work the ball into attacking situations. They will also maintain small distances between each other in order to transition into triangular passing sequences when they regain possession to evade the counter-press and create breaking situations.

In the situation above, Deportivo Saprissa are primed to switch into the pressing phase from a back-pass as the central striker will lead the press by pushing forward to press the most central centre-back while the wide attackers will push forward to mark the wide centre-backs. The double-pivot will provide press security by pushing up to mark the midfield double-pivot and force the opposition into a long-ball situation. In the defensive shape, the wide players are supporting the wing-backs with the ball-near wide-attacker closing down the half-space allowing the wing-back to move into the lateral zone and close down the opposition wide attacker. On the far side, the wide-attacker is providing the width in case of a switch ball and allowing his wing-back to tuck inside and mark the player in the half-space.

On the ball-near flank, if the opposition player in possession works a pass to the half-space that beats the attacker then the centre-back in the area will push up to regain possession. Centeno’s side have also established a midfield and attacking block with the lone striker preventing direct passing access to the opposition six space while the centre-backs are tasked with pushing up to close down the free-men in midfield when the ball is moved to their zone. If the opposition manage to bypass the striker in the centre, then the midfielders will be triggered to push forward and regain possession from the midfielders to then launch a counter with possession being worked to the attackers making runs into the wide areas and central channels. The defence is also pushed up higher to work offside traps for attackers making runs in behind as they look to maintain small distances between each other while keeping a rigid defensive line. If the ball is played to the ball far defensive midfielder, then the midfielder in his zone will push up to press him while the winger will press the centre-back. However, Deportivo Saprissa will look to put pressure on the player in possession to prevent the opposition working passes into the free-man as if the player in possession works a pass to his centre-back then Saprissa will shift into their man-orientated press to regain possession with the three centre-backs and two deep-lying midfielders being marked.

Conclusion

Centeno is not only an interesting manager because of his progressive style but also because of his ideals. With his team currently on a poor run of form, he has decided to coach less, giving his players more freedom to self-correct and analyse in real time with his squad critiquing and adjusting on the pitch. He is also steadfast in his playing style and believes him and his players will respond better under pressure as the 45-year-old uses his experience as a player to shape his man-management style. His energetic and taxing brand of football is all the more impressive due to the fact that he has an older and more experienced starting lineup, having to coax them into believing in his brand of football. He could be a cost-effective and high reward target for any Spanish side or mid-tier European side looking for a young and sophisticated manager to coach a more expansive and entertaining brand of football. Centeno could be a manager that you could see coaching at a South American or MLS powerhouse as well as a National Team as he looks to develop from leading a team to promotion to the top level of Costa Rican football to winning the league through the playoffs in such a short space of time.