The Larriera school
He arrived to replace Guillermo Salas to grab a hot iron in Matute and rose to the occasion. Mauricio Larriera did not shy away from the challenge of winning the three-time championship. Although ‘Chicho’ had left the Apertura winning team, it was the Uruguayan’s obligation to secure first place in the Accumulated to qualify directly for the final. And he fulfilled that first objective, showing that it was possible to implement a purposeful game idea in Alianza Lima. The ‘professor’ directed 11 games since his arrival at Matute and obtained 75% effectiveness. Yes, he knows no defeats.
Based on the numbers, Larriera has achieved seven wins and four draws that allow him to gain credit for his work. But the most important thing for a final is what you see on the field. There, Alianza Lima shows an offensive style that is drawn in the 4-2-3-1 system, with two holding midfielders (Ballón and Castillo) and two wingers (Aldair and Reyna). Concha is the main axis of his team and Barcos the figure in attack. The coach also has a bench, like Zanelatto, Costa and Cueva, who alternate frequently, and at the back he has shown solidity with his line of four.
Despite having the Uruguayan school, Larriera’s teams are characterized by moving away from that style. That’s why he earned the nickname ‘Pep’, because he is an offensive coach. Now, with Alianza Lima he has found a way to become strong on visits. He won four matches and drew two; and under that premise he will first seek to hit the Monumental to be crowned three-time champion next Wednesday in Matute. He is astute at reading the game, understanding the dynamics and proposing solutions. Sometimes he doesn’t turn out well, but he is part of football.
Fossati’s teaching
There are few technicians who come to Peru to teach like Jorge Fossati. The Uruguayan speaks by example, transmits with his actions and has a vocation as a teacher to lead his teams. In Universitario he was no exception, because he transformed what Compagnucci had left before leaving. He convinced the player, made him better, strengthened him mentally and from there he got the most out of each one. He changed the rules of the game and was the first step on the path that the ‘U’ took to reach the national final.
It would be unfair to compare Fossati with Larriera based on the time each has been leading their respective club, but the numbers also reflect the merit of ‘Flaco’. He directed 31 games and achieved an effectiveness of 72%, registering 20 wins, seven draws and four losses. Although the figures cold describe the moment of the ‘U’, the most important thing is what is seen on the field. And there, Fossati insists with a style that everyone knows: playing with a 3-5-2 that leaves few surprises but gives results. The Uruguayan plays with three stoppers, two wingers, one creative and two attackers. Everyone knows his role, the movements and the coach’s idea of the game.
That way of playing bears Fossati’s stamp and has led him to play in the final. But it is predictable for a rival who has studied it. Polo and Cabanillas are the weapons on the wings due to their speed, Ureña is the anchor in the midfield and Quispe is the ‘brain’ in driving. Above, Flores gives hierarchy to the team and Valera is the hope of scoring. That group works. Fossati has known how to mesh his pieces for the correct functioning of the group. Although he is a technician trained in the Uruguayan school, he knew how to reinvent himself in the process, with modern concepts that work. Jorge’s experience also plays a role and weighs in a final.
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