Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ first Head Coaching role with Independiente Juniors

Felipe Mateos Sanchez was Miguel Angel Ramirez’ Assistant Coach at Independiente Del Valle as they were one of the most entertaining sides to watch on the South American continent last year. The 35-year-old Spaniard would then embark on his Head Coaching career with Independiente Juniors as he has had an intriguing start to his career as well as some intriguing tactical philosophies. Mateos Sanchez has been a friend of our website as him and his Video Analyst, Ahmad Tayarani provided us with exclusive coaches’ footage of all their games to work on this article as the young coach has already had three players promoted to Independiente Del Valle’s first-team squad with one being a pivotal first-team player during the early stages of his career.

Build-up

With Independiente Del Valle, Miguel Angel Ramirez and Felipe Mateos Sanchez utilized the goalkeeper in intriguing ways as the latter has continued this in his first Head Coaching role as the goalkeeper is highly involved in build-up play but in and around his own box, rather than as an extra outfield play outside his box. The Independiente Juniors Head Coach has become somewhat of a short goal-kick specialist with his team involving the goalkeeper in a variety of short goal-kick routines to play through pressure and instigate attacking moves. When his side are under pressure in the build-up phase, they will normally play the ball back to the goalkeeper to switch the pass to the wide areas or attract pressure for a pass to the free-man in between the lines.

When the goalkeeper is in possession or from short goal-kick situations, Independiente Juniors will utilize a 2+3/3+3 shape with the centre-backs dropping either side of the keeper with a deep-lying playmaker or central centre-back occupying the six-space while the fullbacks drop deep to flank him. The goalkeeper will usually work a pass to one of the centre-backs to initiate the press from the opposition as the centre-back can play a pass to the deeper-lying fullbacks, six-space or back to the goalkeeper as if he plays the ball back to the goalkeeper then he will thread a pass to the six-space for the deep-lying playmaker to switch the ball to the flank or turn and work a pass to the centre.

Independiente Juniors will attract pressure while circulating possession with short passes amongst the goalkeeper, centre-backs and deepest-lying midfielder in order to switch a pass or thread a pass in between the lines to instigate an attacking move as the fullbacks will push up the pitch gradually with possession. The Ecuadorian Second Division side will normally operate in a 2-3-2-3 asymmetrical shape or a 2+4 shape, adding another midfielder and introducing a double-pivot in front of the two centre-backs. This allows one midfielder to drop deep and participate with the short passing sequences to attract pressure while the other midfielder pushes up to receive possession behind the opposition line of pressure as the outball. However, the second midfielder can also create space with his movement if the ball is played to the fullback, the ball-near midfielder will push to the eight-space to create a passing lane to the six-space for the deepest-lying midfielder to receive possession, turn and thread passes to the ball-far 8 space to evade pressure and transition into an attacking move.

Independiente Juniors will normally utilize an asymmetrical 2-3-2-3 shape when the goalkeeper has possession to manipulate possession as they have worked instances where they have evaded pressure with subtle positional changes. In one situation, they were facing a man-orientated press with the opposition pushing three players around the opposition box to mark the goalkeeper, centre-backs and defensive midfielder as one of the attackers moved into the passing lane in between the goalkeeper and right-sided centre-backs. The defensive midfielder held his position with the centre-back pushing into the six-space to receive possession from the goalkeeper and thread a pass in between the lines to score a goal from a move that involved four passes. In a 2-3-2-3 shape, Independiente Juniors have the player spacing to evade pressure by threading passes into the 8 space in between the lines before spreading the ball to the wide attackers who will cut inside as the fullbacks overlap in order to create opportunities. As they attract pressure with short passes around their own box they can play the ball to their deeper-lying fullback who will play a pass down the line to the winger who will be in 1v1 situation or have ample space to drive into.

Independiente Juniors had another short goal-kick situation where the goalkeeper played the ball to his left-sided centre-back as usual before the centre-back worked pass to the six-space for a lay-off back to the left-sided centre-back as he pushed into the six-space while the ball-far 8 dropped into the six-space to receive possession as the deepest-lying midfielder moved into the left-sided centre-back role while the midfielder in his former position would play a pass to the right-sided centre-back to push up while the right-back pushed up to create width allowing the right winger to move into the half-space to receive possession from his centre-back. In their short goal-kick situations, the Ecuadorian side will generate sequences where the fullback pushes up while their winger moves into the half-space to receive possession in between the lines in build-up to ease transition.

Independiente Juniors will normally play the ball back to the goalkeeper in order to facilitate transitions where they switch the ball. Establishing width through the wingers or overlapping fullbacks is integral to Mateos Sanchez’ style of play as their asymmetrical 2-3-2-3 build-up shape allows them to circulate possession and switch to the weak side. For instance, Independiente Juniors will play the ball back to the keeper to work a pass for the fullback who will cut inside or play the ball to the eight space to switch the ball to the weak side for the winger with the fullback overlapping. 1v1s on the weak side and runs into the channels are essential chance creating tools for Independiente Juniors as they will utilize triangular passing sequences to circulate possession before switching the ball to the weak side with a direct switch or elaborate short passing connections.

For instance, if a fullback receives possession in the wide zone, he will drive the ball inside while his ball-near midfielder moves into the wide zone where he can play passes to a teammate in the centre for a lay-off to the six-space before spreading the ball to the weak side or the fullback can play the ball to his midfielder in the wide zone to play a pass down the line for the winger to have a 1v1 opportunity. When possession is on one flank, the ball-near 8 and deepest-lying midfielder will move closer to the flank and attract the opposition as they can work passing combinations and use direct passes in between the lines to the ball-far 8 as an outball to create a 1v1 for the opposition winger. There is the aforementioned passing sequence where the ball-near midfielder tucks inside to receive possession in the half-space with the overlapping winger making a run on the flank as instead of a short pass being played to the flank, a lobbed ball can be played to the overlapping fullback to have a 1v1 opportunity on the flank.

In the earlier stages of the season, Felipe Mateos Sanchez did not utilize overlapping fullbacks as once his side moved the ball out of the 2+3/3+3 possession shape in short goal-kick situations, defensive-midfielder, Marco Angulo would drop in between the centre-backs while both fullbacks will move into the midfield zone to act as a double-pivot with the two 8s remaining in between the lines and the wingers establishing width. In most of the systems that Independiente Juniors have used this season, Felipe Mateos Sanchez has been constant in his employment of a midfield box in possession despite changes in system and personnel as in build-up, Independiente Juniors have rarely deviated from their midfield shape.

In the situation above, Independiente Juniors are in a 3-2-2-3 shape with the fullbacks moving into midfield and acting as a double-pivot. Independiente Juniors would circulate possession with Angulo threading passes into the midfield line for lay-offs to attract pressure as the three-chain circulated pressure before Angulo played another pass into the midfield line for the fullback to receive possession, turn and drive the ball forward to play a pass in between the central lines for the midfielder to spread possession for the winger to have a crossing opportunity in the wide areas.

One of the most regular avenues of transition from this shape was the three-chain circulating possession for one of the wide centre-backs to push up and drive into space to attract pressure to the central centre-back and ball-near deep-lying midfielder/inverted fullback before working a pass to the ball-far midfielder/inverted fullback who will turn and drive the ball forward to evade opposition pressure. In the picture above, you can see that Independiente Juniors are capable of manipulating the opposition press by moving the ball to the left-sided centre-back who will push the ball forward with the opposition winger and two strikers pushing forward to engage him, the ball-near deepest-lying midfielder and central centre-back while the rest of the opposition midfield will have to hold their position to deny access to for the centre-back to the eight space which will leave the ball-far midfielder in space to receive possession to turn and drive the ball forward to engage the next line of opposition pressure before working a pass in between the lines.

Another avenue past opposition pressure would be the use of blind-sided movement within the midfield box to create passing options in the half-spaces in between the lines for the centre-backs. The three-chain and double-pivot would circulate possession amongst each other to attract opposition pressure as the 8s in between the lines would move either side of the double-pivot into space in the half-space to receive possession from the centre-back to spread and play the ball into the wide areas or to the nine-space. In certain situations, both the 8s will move into the half-spaces but after possession is played to one-side then the ball-far 8 will move into the ten space to receive possession as an outlet in between the lines.

Mateos Sanchez also utilize Marco Angulo as a central centre-back/defensive-midfield hybrid as they utilize his movements to create space for passing interchanges as Independiente Juniors switch from a 3+2 build-up shape to a 2+3 build-up shape. In certain passing interchanges, Angulo will push forward and move into the six-space to attract his marker and open a passing lane from one centre-back to the other with the fullbacks pushing into the wider areas while the Ecuadorian side circulate possession with Angulo making moves to receive possession in the six-space and look for progressive passes. In certain situations when Angulo is positioned in the six-space, he will drop in between the centre-backs to attract a marker and create space in the midfield line for a teammate to drop and receive possession before swivelling and looking to play the ball forward.

As the season progressed, Angulo began to occupy the six-space more than in the first few games when the keeper received possession and Independiente Juniors were under pressure or when the ball moved to the wide areas, Angulo would move into the six-space to receive possession to operate as an integral build-up conduit. He would receive possession, turn and switch the ball while he would also look to play progressive passes into the opposition half. As Angulo pushed into the six-space, Independiente Juniors would operate in a 2+3/2-3-5 shape with two 8s pushing into the line in front of him to receive possession as the two 8s could also be the inverted fullbacks. Independiente Juniors will normally work triangular passing sequences in the centre before switching the ball into the wide areas to create low crossing opportunities.

Mid-season, Independiente Juniors would tinker with their build-up shape as well as the personnel in their build-up shape as Angulo was no longer playing in a centre-back/defensive midfield hybrid role as the central centre-back position would be filled by Liberman Torres who operated with a greater focus on his centre-back duties rather than his midfield duties. The fullbacks would no longer move into the centre as Independiente Juniors utilized wing-backs to stretch the pitch with wide attackers in the front three while midfielders would play in their more natural roles. However, Independiente Juniors would still operate with a midfield box as well as using some of the same principles in build-up while adapting to some of the structural changes.

In the situation above, you can still see that Independiente Juniors are employing a midfield box in a 3-2-4-1 formation as the deeper double have dropped deep to form triangular player spacing with Liberman Torres (who is in possession) as the central centre-back as well as with the wide centre-backs, ball-near deeper midfielders and the central centre-back. The opposition are defending in a 4-4-2 shape as Independiente Juniors have created a 5v2 numerical superiority in the first line as well as a 3v2 numerical superiority in the centre with the central centre-back and midfield double-pivot. Independiente Juniors are perfectly positioned to stretch the opposition strikers by playing possession to one of the wide centre-backs to attract pressure from the ball-near opposition striker before playing the ball back to the central centre-back who will have passing access to play the ball into the next line.

One of Liberman Torres’ strengths is his long range passing, the wing-backs are tasked with stretching the pitch as they can receive switch balls to cross to the striker making a run into the middle or cut inside where one of the attacking midfielders will drop into the half-space to receive possession. The positioning of the two attacking midfielders in this situation is also key as with the deeper-lying midfield double-pivot tucked into more central roles, they have taken wider positions in the half-space to receive possession in between the lines as this facet of Independiente Juniors’ style of play remains similar to when they tasked Marco Angulo with dropping in between the centre-backs but their player spacing allows them to be much more effective in stretching play from the wide areas. With fullbacks moving into the central spaces when Independiente Juniors moved possession into the higher, wider areas, their fullbacks were unable to overlap because of their central responsibilities as even when Angulo pushed into the six-space, they would be forced to move either side of Angulo with the wingers stretching the pitch and looking to connect with the ball-near attacking midfielders.

In the new formation, with the wing-backs occupying the wide areas, Independiente Juniors can work build-up sequences where the wing-backs push up and the wingers tuck inside as attacking midfielders to receive possession and work connections or possibly switch the ball to the wing-back stretching the pitch on the opposite flank. With the wing-backs being pushed into the higher areas then the wingers would tuck inside and act as central attacking midfielders where they can receive possession, work connections with the wing-backs and strikers as well as make runs into the half-spaces to receive possession and work cut-backs for teammates.

In both of their build-up structures throughout the season, Independiente Juniors have abstained from using wall-passes in build-up sequences. Wall-passes or bounce passes are sequences where the ball is played to a teammate in the next-line to attract pressure and lay-off for a deeper pass in between the lines. In normal build-up sequences, Independiente Juniors will normally play the ball into the midfield line where the midfielders will hold possession, looking to turn and work a pass for a teammate in between the lines or play a flick for a teammate in the same line to drive the ball forward. When the ball is laid off, Independiente Juniors’ players in between the lines will rarely drop into space in between the lines to receive possession which will force the defenders to play the ball out wide or back to the goalkeeper.

Independiente Juniors’ 3+2/2+3 structure is perfect for wall-passes, especially the former as when the ball is played into the midfield double-pivot which attracts pressure from the opposition midfield line, this creates space in between the lines, especially in the ten space, for the Independiente Juniors midfielders to fill as the centre-backs can play direct passes through the lines to attackers to facilitate quicker and more effective transitions. Normally in situations where the ball is played back to the defenders, Independiente Juniors will be forced to play the ball back to the goalkeeper for long balls into the opposition half or to funnel balls into the wide areas. Wall-passes would help increase the effectiveness of Independiente Juniors’ build-up exponentially.

In the situation above, Independiente Juniors have played the ball back to the goalkeeper when there was an opportunity to work a pass through the lines with large amounts of space for players to receive possession and disorient the opposition defence. Independiente Juniors are in a 3-2-5 attacking shape as they have a 3+2 build-up shape as previously, they have played the ball to the deeper-lying midfielders which has attracted pressure and created space in between the lines as once the deeper-lying midfielders receive possession, this should act as a trigger for one of the inverted wide players to tuck into the ten space to receive possession as when the ball is laid off to the centre-back, he will then receive possession in between the lines. The presence of the wingbacks pushing higher would also allow Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ side to stretch the pitch as once the ball is played in between the lines then Independiente can play the ball to the wide areas to stretch the pitch before playing a cross into the box where Independiente Juniors would have the numerical superiority.

During the season, Independiente Juniors had one situation where they utilized a wall-pass to evade pressure in the build-up phase as they were in the 3-2-4-1 shape with their central midfielders tucked inside like they normally are as the central centre-back played the ball to the left-sided central midfielder who laid the ball off back to him as pressure was attracted to his zone for the central centre-back would work a pass to his midfield partner who swiveled with possession and poked a pass in between the lines for one of the inverted wingers. Both wing-backs pushed up into ample space as Independiente Juniors had evaded the opposition press and were now in a 5v4 situation against a narrow opposition defence as their attacker held the ball for too long before he was tackled. Independiente Juniors are regularly in situations where they are in their 3+2 build-up shape and have the double-pivot tucked inside and the central centre-back works the ball to one of the deeper-lying midfielders leaving the other in ample space for a pass but have instead played the ball wide which has resulted in a turnover. Utilizing this situation and other situations to work passes through the middle will allow them to create better attackers where they can use their width to create higher quality opportunities.

Positional Play

Independiente Juniors will normally operate in a 2-3-5/3-2-5 attacking shape as they prefer to stretch the pitch with their wingers while circulating possession in triangular passing sequences before playing the ball to the wide areas where they can create high-quality crossing situations. When they switched formation mid-season and operated with their wing-backs stretching the pitch, they had their wingers tuck inside, utilizing them as dual 10s, allowing them to receive possession in between the lines while also encouraging their striker to drop deep and receive possession in between the lines with the centrally placed wingers making runs off the ball. Independiente Juniors have certain chance-creation routines that they relied on last season as they normally looked to play angled passes to the wide areas for high quality crossing opportunities.

In the above sequence, Independiente Juniors are in a 2-3-4-1 formation, Angulo has moved from in between the centre-backs and into the six-space which is quite frequent. The young Ecuadorian midfielder may have sequences where he is positioned in between his centre-backs to then push into the six-space which allows the centrally placed fullbacks to move into the wider areas at 8s as this sequence can also be used if Independiente Juniors are under pressure as they utilize Angulo pushing in between the lines to create a passing lane to the ball-far CB who can play the ball in between the lines to an attacking midfielder in between the lines or for Angulo to receive possession and work a pass in between the lines to stretch the pitch. The wingers are stretching the pitch and are in ample space in this situation while it is possible for the ball to be played to them as they have 1v1 situations to drive to the by-line and cross or cut inside.

When the wide player receives possession, the attacking midfielder in the half-space can move out to the flank to receive a pass as this will act as an avenue for Independiente Juniors to move the ball back into the centre for the attacking midfielder in the half-space to receive possession before turning and playing the ball into the deeper midfield zone where the deeper-lying midfielder has the ability to receive possession and work a pass in between the lines to the ball-far attacking midfielder or switch the ball to the weak side for a cross on goal. The attacking issues that lie with deploying your fullbacks so centrally is that once the wide players receive possession, there are no overlapping runs which limits the winger to a finite number of options in the 1v1 while if the opposition defenders manage to support their fullback adequately, the opposition have numerical superiority.

There are methods that Indepediente Juniors use for wide interchange are the attacking midfielders making runs into the half-space when the wide attacker receives possession while player in the wide zone and half-space will switch position and interchange in quick passing interchanges to create high quality crossing opportunities. The Ecuadorian side would also be able to interchange in situations where the where the winger receives possession, the wide attacker is positioned in the half-space and the centrally placed fullback has pushed up to the flank. If the winger decides to cut inside, the fullback will make an overlapping run in a conventional 3v3 situation while being able to allow an interchange for the three players as overlapping runs in the attacking phase are pretty rare for Independiente Juniors in their system.

One of Independiente Juniors’ main methods of chance creation are through runs into the channels in order to create high quality low crossing opportunities to score goals. Independiente Juniors do not just switch possession to the weak side but use clever movement and player spacing, well timed runs into the wide zone and half-spaces as well as coordinated ball-circulation and movement in between the lines to draw markers and create space for runs in behind. Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ side created a lot of high-quality opportunities through this method as wide attackers moved into space, made well-timed runs in behind to receive possession and cut-back to teammates in the box to have high quality shooting opportunities.

In the image above, they are three players occupying three opposition defenders as they have managed to create space in the channels for a run in behind in the channels. A constant sequence for Independiente Juniors is having one player positioned in the half-space and another in the wide zone stretching the pitch as once the ball is moved to their flank, the player in the half-space will drop deep to receive possession while drawing his marker and creating space for his teammate in the wide zone to make a run in behind and receive a lobbed pass to have a better crossing opportunity on goal. Independiente Juniors will frequently establish moves where the player in the half-space drops deep to evacuate the area, opening a passing lane for a through ball into the half-space zone for the player positioned in the wide area to make a run onto to receive possession for a low cross or to cut inside and have a shooting opportunity.

The wide player will constantly look to make bursts in behind when the ball is on his flank after his teammate in the half-space has dropped deep as he will look to hold his run and stay on-side. There are many different movements and runs that the player in the wide areas could make, especially making a vertical run inside before bursting in behind while until he receives possession, he will constantly be starting and stopping runs in order to remain onside while also being in the perfect position to receive possession in-stride a few yards ahead of his marker. The situation above is one of the more elaborate iterations of this move as all the players have occupied a defender as once the attacker in the half-space dropped deep and drew his marker, both the central striker and the wide player made runs in behind with the central striker received possession in what may have been an offside position but the winger then moved into the central spaces to receive a cut-back as the opportunity was blocked.

During the positional play phase, Independiente Juniors will also work rotations in the central areas as if the striker drops out of the nine-space to receive possession, one of the 8s will occupy this area as Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ side will also work rotations in the central areas. Having movement in the half-space, especially with a teammate dropping deep and dragging his marker out of position allows through balls into the striker to receive possession in the wide areas of the box to work a cut-back or create his own shooting opportunity. The Ecuadorian side have also created other situations where the attacker in the half-space drops deep to drag his marker out of position before pushing up to receive possession in the half-space to create another low crossing situation as this is one of the clearest and most regular ways that Independiente Juniors looked to create opportunities last season.

In certain games, Independiente Juniors toyed with a 3-1-2-4 shape which was a departure from their midfield box system while stretching the pitch continued to be a focus for the team with two highly placed wing-backs in the wide positions. Independiente Juniors would circulate possession with the midfield two dropping alongside the deepest-lying midfielder to create a triangle where they could alternate and move possession before switching possession to the wide areas where they could create opportunities. Liberman Torres was playing as the central centre-back in this system as his long-range distribution and ability to play accurate switch balls was one of his strongest suits. Felipe Mateos Sanchez utilized this formation against teams that sat deep but it is an idea that the 35-year-old coach could build on.

In the picture above, Independiente Juniors are in their 3-1-2-4 shape as the wide centre-back has pushed into the midfield line with possession as the wide player is dropping deep as the attacking midfielder will move into space to receive possession in between the lines as once he receives possession, the wide player can then make a surge in behind to receive a through ball while also holding in run if the attacking midfielder lays off possession for the centre-back to lob a pass in behind for the wide player to have a low crossing opportunity. The positioning of the deepest-lying midfielder as well as the two attacking midfielders in between the lines is also crucial in this situation as the deepest-lying midfielder is positioned in the six-space, the ball-far midfielder has dropped into the eight space while the other midfielder has held his position in between the lines.

The centre-back pushing up has allowed the attacking midfielder in his zone to maintain a high position to receive possession in between the lines as the attacking midfielder can receive possession and lay-off for the ball-far midfielder in the eight space who will move into position to receive the ball before spreading the ball to the left flank where the attacker positioned in the left half-space will move into position to receive the ball to work an interchange with the attackers or lay the ball off into the deeper areas to facilitate a switch to the opposite flank. The player spacing is another crucial facet of this system as the striker has two players positioned closer to him as dual 10s, the wing-backs are stretching the pitch in the wide areas as Independiente Juniors have established triangles in the attacking and midfield zone to circulate possession in the deeper zones and in between the lines for quicker transition. When Independiente Juniors circulate possession in midfield, especially in the deeper areas, the goal is to attract the opposition midfield line while the attacking line occupies the defence in order to create passing lanes to find attackers in between the lines.

There is an element of this system that is quicker paced and high tempo, especially with the way in which they stretch the pitch and the quick rotations in midfield. The midfield will be set up with the deepest-lying midfielder positioned in the six-space with two players positioned in between the lines, within passing range as the midfield trio will circulate possession as if the opportunities to switch are not adequate or available, they will involve the centre-backs, playing the ball to the central centre-backs before moving possession to the wide centre-backs who will push up and look to work passes to the six-space or play passes in between the line. Liberman Torres would receive possession in the central centre-back position to switch the ball to the weak side.

Independiente Juniors utilize late blind-sided movement to circulate possession in the final third as this means, a player will be driving the ball into the third to engage an opposition defender as the Independiente Juniors player in between the lines will side-step into space to receive possession in between the lines. Attackers in between the lines are tasked with holding their positions until their markers are engaged and vacate their man-marking responsibilities as the attackers’ side-step into space to create an easier passing angle for the man in possession to play the ball. In certain situations, Independiente Juniors will drop deeper to receive possession but in the attacking phase or approach play phase, Independiente Juniors attackers will hold their position and wait for the opportunity to move into space before receiving the ball. Another blind-sided movement sequence is the aforementioned run into the half-space from the player in the half-space as the wide attacker receives possession as this movement is for the player in the half-space to receive possession to create a high-quality low crossing opportunity while the player in the half-space can also drag a marker out of possession for a central player to receive possession.

Independiente Juniors’ focus on creating avenues for passes into the wide areas for low crossing opportunities can also help with their blind-sided movement to create avenues for passes into the nine-space. For instance, as Independiente Juniors occupy opposition defenders in the wide areas, their central striker can make runs in behind and into the channels to receive possession to have high quality shooting opportunities if he receives possession in the centre or low crossing opportunities if he receives possession in the wide areas of the box. With their late blind-sided movement, when a teammate receives possession in the half-space, one of the 10s on the ball-near side closest to the striker could make a late movement to open up a passing channel for the striker to receive possession in behind. Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ side have also been able to create opportunities in this sequence from lobbed passes in the wide areas and central spaces to the striker making runs in behind to have opportunities on goal.

In terms of utilizing the nine-space, most of Independiente Juniors’ ball-circulation in the centre of the pitch relies on the movement of the striker and the two attacking midfielders positioned next to him. In the first half of the season, this would be two midfielders pushing up while in the second-half of the season, it would be two wingers tucking inside to receive possession in between the lines, lay the ball off with one touch passes to facilitate switch balls or drop out of space to create the passing lane to the wide area. However, they also interchange positions with the central striker as if the striker drops deep to receive possession then one of the attacking midfielders will move into the nine-space while if the ball moves into the wide areas, one of the attacking midfielders will have to move into the half-space to receive possession which will lead to the striker and ball-far attacking midfielder trading occupying the nine-space.

The central striker and the wide attackers will interchange positions and create triangular passing sequences in the centre to create goalscoring opportunities. For instance, the front three will constantly interchange as if the ball moves to the wide areas, there are situations where the central striker will move into the channels to receive the ball with the ball-near attacker moving into the nine-space where he can trade positions with the attacker as they work connections for a third man run from the striker into the space in behind for the team to have a goalscoring opportunity. When the central striker drops deep, the attacking midfielders will push higher to occupy the nine-space for flick-on opportunities as if a passing lane to the nine-space is open and the striker receives possession in that area, he can always simply lay-off the ball into the attacking midfielders to play a pass to the wide areas or the attacking midfielder will make a third man run in behind to receive possession and have an opportunity on goal.

Counter-pressing

Independiente Juniors under Felipe Mateos Sanchez look to counter-press in order to prevent opposition counter-attacks while sustaining attacks of their own as they are able to create high-quality opportunities when the opposition defence is disoriented. Independiente Juniors also take risks in their elaborate build-up play as they will also counter-press by squeezing the opposition with players in the midfield line tucking inside to engage the man in possession while the centre-backs will push up to squeeze the space and create an offside trap. Independiente Juniors are also not averse into dropping back into their defensive shape when the coverage and player spacing to counter-press is unavailable as players will retreat into their positions once the player closest to the ball does not engage the player in possession and drops back into the defensive shape.

A standard Independiente Juniors counter-pressing routine starts with possession being lost as the player closest to the ball, who will normally be the player who lost possession in the first place, will push forward to engage the opposition player in possession as if the opposition player in possession passes the ball to another player, the Independiente Juniors player will chase down the ball to close down the other marker. At this point, his teammates will be engaged to push up and mark the players in that area to force a turnover or long pass while the midfield and defensive line will push up to win possession in case a long ball is played to recycle the attack. Although an Independiente Juniors counter-pressing sequence starts with the player closest to the ball pushing up to engage the opposition player in possession, the Ecuadorian Second Division side prefer to hunt the opposition in packs to force a turnover.

They will man-mark opposition players closest to the ball and if the opposition manage to work the ball past the primary Independiente Juniors counter-pressing player then the rest of the team will have the coverage to make a tackle or interception to regain possession or squeeze the space to force a turnover and launch a quick attack on goal. Independiente Juniors will close down the space in packs of 3 and 4 to close down the space and force a turnover or a loose pass into the next line for the centre-backs to regain possession. If Independiente Juniors lose possession with their front five in front of the ball, a midfield player will push up to apply pressure on the man in possession to force a turnover or a backwards or sideways pass which will allow the players in front of the ball to retreat and provide a secondary press by swarming the opposition players in possession to force a turnover before the opposition can counter attack.

In the wide positions, Independiente Juniors will normally have three men to work their wide routines as if they lose possession in the wide areas, the player that loses possession will push forward and engage the man in possession by leading the press while the other two players will close down the closest players in the zone while if the opposition manage to play past the first line of pressure, they will drop deep to swarm the opposition player in possession to force a back-pass where the player closest to the ball will push up to apply pressure on the centre-back and then the goalkeeper if the ball is played to the goalkeeper or they will force a pass down the line where the centre-back can make a tackle to regain possession or make a tactical foul.

If Independiente Juniors lose possession in the opposition box, they will aggressively counter-press to force a turnover or a long-ball in order to regain possession to create an opportunity after losing possession. If possession is lost in the half-space and the central striker is closest to the ball, he will vacate his nine-space to apply pressure on the opposition defender while the wide players close down the passing options closest to the ball. If the ball is played to the keeper, then the striker will apply pressure on the goalkeeper to force a long ball. If the ball is lost during a cross, Independiente Juniors will apply a ferocious counter-press on the ball as the wide attacker will immediately press the ball after losing possession as if he tucks in, the attacker in the half-space will move to the wide zone to mark an opposition player to prevent the opposition from having a direct outball. The defensive line will push up to facilitate the midfield line squeezing the space and picking up midfield while a high defensive line gives Independiente Juniors press security as they will be able to win possession by intercepting direct passes forward and long balls.

Pressing

Independiente Juniors utilize a back-five as they will normally defend in a 5-4-1 shape which will lead to a 5-2-3 pressing shape after certain man-orientated pressing triggers. Transitioning from their 5-4-1 medium to low block shape to their 5-2-3 high pressing shape is simple as the two wingers push up to close down the passing lane in between the centre-backs and fullbacks as the central striker will press whichever centre-back has possession while closing the passing lane to the other centre-back. If the ball is played back to the goalkeeper, then the central striker will push up to close down the goalkeeper with the wingers tucking inside to mark the centre-backs and engage them when they receive possession.

The two midfielders will be closing down the opposition midfielders and providing press security, looking to regain possession with interceptions and tackles after loose passes in the midfield line. The back-five will play as a high-line as in certain situations, if the opposition have a midfielder positioned in the half-spaces, the ball-near midfielder will move out wide to continue the press while the wing-back will maintain his deeper position. However, in standard situations. Independiente Juniors look to close down the central areas to force the opposition into the wide areas where the wing-backs will push up to regain possession and continue the press while the ball-near midfielder and attacker will move to deny the player in possession passing access to the central spaces while swarming the opposition player to force a turnover. If Independiente Juniors are pressing one flank, the ball-far attacker will tuck inside in case the ball is played back to the centre-backs or goalkeeper as he will be tasked with initiating the first line of the pressing phase while his wing-back will push up to mark the opposition ball-far fullback as if the opposition attempt to switch the ball, the wing-back will be perfectly positioned to force a turnover.

In terms of Independiente Juniors’ man-orientated press, from a goal-kick, they will start with a medium block with the striker denying passing access to the six-space. If the ball is played to one of the centre-backs then the central striker will push up, making an angled run to close him down and deny passing access to his centre-back partner while the midfielders will push their midfield block higher to close down the six-space as in the back-three, the central player either Marco Angulo or Liberman Torres will push into the midfield line to regain loose balls or force turnovers.

The above video is an example of Independiente Juniors transitioning into a high-press from their 5-4-1 low block, the fullback plays a back-pass to the centre-back as the central striker did not immediately push up to engage his man, instead waiting for his wide-attackers to tuck inside and provide adequate support and coverage while he also waited for the pressing trigger. The wingers are tucked inside to make the opposition back-three as before the ball is played to the opposition wide left centre-back, the attacker is already pushing up to engage his man as circulation in the back-three is the pressing trigger while passes to the wide centre-back is another one of the pressing triggers. Once the wide centre-back receives possession, the central striker is marking the central centre-back, the ball-near winger is marking the wide centre-back while the ball-near wing-back has pushed up to mark the opposition wing-back and the ball-near midfielder has tracked his marker into that zone. The defensive block have slid across to support the wide centre-back closing down the attacker to ensure that all the opposition players are marked on the ball-near flank.

The ball-far wide-attacker, midfield and wing-back are also beginning to tuck inside to provide support while also positioning themselves better to intercept switches and diagonal passes. Their body shape are also facing towards the ball while they are maintaining distance and positioning themselves in the same zone as their markers in case they receive the ball so they can transition into trying to regain possession directly or in the case of the ball-far wide attacker, lead his team in the pressing phase if the ball is played back to his man in order to force a turnover, long-ball or pass back to the goalkeeper. With the ball moving into the wide areas, Independiente Juniors have transitioned into high and compact line as they eventually commit a foul in the pressing phase as their spacing allows them to continue to press the ball if the opposition try to move the ball into the centre or back-pass while they can also retreat into their 5-4-1 defensive shape if the first wave of the press is beaten.

Defensive Shape

Felipe Mateos Sanchez preferred to defend in a rigid 5-4-1 medium to low block with tight spaces in between the midfield and defensive lines as this shape can also easily transition into a higher pressing 5-2-3 shape. As well as closing down the central spaces, Independiente Juniors utilized this shape to create numerical superiorities in the wide areas by closing down the opposition’s crossing opportunities while forcing back-passes, so they can push forward and begin to apply pressure on the opposition. This shape also allows Independiente Juniors to counter-attack at pace once they regain possession as the wingers can push forward on the flank or tuck inside while the wingbacks can make overlapping or underlapping runs.

In the picture above, Independiente Juniors are in their defensive shape while they are trying to facilitate a press as the winger has pushed up and tucked inside as a second-striker while as if the ball is played to the opposition wide attacker then the wing-back will shift across to cover as the ball-near midfielder will also move into the zone to cover while the winger will drop back to create a 3v1 situation and try to force the turnover. The defensive midfield block has pushed up to support the pressure phase as once the ball is moved to the opposite flank, the ball-far winger will be tasked with tucking inside and applying the pressure next to the central striker. The defensive three-chain are also pushing up as the centre-backs are tasked with being aggressive and pushing up to win possession when balls are played into the opposition attackers. Even in the defensive phase when Independiente Juniors are defending in a deeper defensive block, centre-backs are tasked with having the anticipation to push out of the defensive line to make tackles and interceptions.

In their 5-4-1 defensive shape, Independiente Juniors apply constant pressure on the ball as if the ball is played into the centre, the deeper-lying midfield pivot will push up and apply pressure on the ball as if they ball is played back to the opposition centre-backs and goalkeeper, Independiente Juniors will push in a 5-3-2 shape. Even in the defensive phase, Independiente Juniors would sometimes switch to a 5-3-2 as once the ball is moved to the flank, they will try to overload the flank to force a back-pass or a turnover while if they move into the deeper areas of the Independiente Juniors half, Felipe Mateos Sanchez’ side will constantly look to have 2v2s in the wide areas to prevent crosses. The Ecuadorian side would have issues when they are transitioning from a press to a low block as large gaps could be left in between the midfield line and defensive phase as the opposition can work passes in between the lines to establish attacking opportunities. In the photo above, there is an example of this as the centre-backs will be tasked with utilizing their anticipation to push up and make the tackles or interceptions.

Conclusion

Felipe Mateos Sanchez has most recently been an Assistant Coach for Francesco Farioli at Fatih Karagumruk and currently, Alanyaspor as the young Spanish Coach will be one of the more in-demand assistant coaches on the market before he continues his Head Coaching career. The young coach has a lot of intriguing ideas to build on as we thank him for allowing us to get an insight into his first Head Coaching role. We would also like to thank Video Analyst, Ahmad Tayarani for his constant support in making this analysis article possible as he has a strong track record in Ecuadorian football as he joined Independiente Del Valle from fellow heavyweights, Barcelona SC. We look forward to analysing their teams in the future as we track their development.