Sanchez Pas found more solutions for the playoffs

The second mini-tournament of the Ecuadorian national team, under the orders of Félix Sánchez Bás, leaves a positive balance for the coach. In the matches against Bolivia and Costa Rica, as well as winning them, he applied his ideas and tactics in play and tested many players he could turn to during the two years of World Cup qualifiers.

DT expanded its player base, betting on young elements, between the ages of 20 and 22, who showed their technical conditions and willingness to fight for a position in the national team. For example, Pedro Viet and Leonardo Realby made their debut in Tricolor, and the former scored a goal.

The new DT wants to play with a defense of three and has 5 elements in midfield. The formula worked, because in the rear, in addition to Félix Torres and Piero Hincapie, they were debutants at the World Cup in Qatar, and now have Robert Arboleda, Realby and William Pacho, who look great in the tricolor.

Pacho, who will play in the Bundesliga from the second half of 2023, is a player with great technical conditions, and he solves easily and quickly. In addition, he transfers goals: in three matches he scores two goals.

In midfield, Sanchez-Pas’s formula is to expose the positions of the prepared midfielders, and to offer them attacking. Jose Cifuentes became another attacker. He had three goals against Costa Rica, which if the score had been better, he could have shouted at least one.

Cifuentes’ performance, without being perfect, was stronger than Alan Franco’s, who was entrusted with a similar script in the match against Bolivia, but he did not become the protagonist as “Cifu” was.

Moises Caicedo is a versatile midfielder. At Brighton, he doesn’t move from midfield, but DT wants him to play more metres, touch the ball with Pervis Estupiñán, and get into the area quickly.

The aspects were impeccable. Pervis Estupiñán, the better scorer of the two friendlies, due to his pace, projection and assist effectiveness. Ángelo Preciado, right, with dribbling and speed to get into the opponent’s area.

In midfield, as a point of balance, Carlos Groizo was the starter, without any doubt, but Jordi Alcivar played a big role.

The target is still missing. Enner Valencia is the undisputed main striker, But there is a need for an attacking partner and an alternative in the event of injury, as happened in the World Cup.

Until September, there will be no official test matches, but coach Sanchez Paz will have enough time to design the scenario in which Ecuador will debut against Argentina, on the first date of the qualifiers.