Concha and 'Cancha' were signed by the Universitario sports area with the approval of the technical command and in an attempt to fill the void left by Piero Quispe. The now Pumas UNAM player was key in obtaining star 27 and shone with the 3-5-2 system used by Jorge Fossati. The idea for this season was to sustain the good things from last year, including the same tactical scheme and replacing (in theory) who was their best player. But in practice this has not happened. Concha and Gonzales have not acquired that significance in Bustos' team and are finding it difficult to adapt to their new roles on the field. Why is it so difficult for them to do it and what to expect from them after the Apertura break?
What about Concha?
After learning that Jairo Concha was not going to renew with Alianza Lima, Universitario made him an offer that convinced the player, who crossed the path and joined the team of which he is a fan. The midfielder knew that his signing was a media highlight, but he was also aware of the responsibility that this brought: filling the void left by Piero Quispe. Within Bustos' 3-5-2, the midfielder positioned himself as an interior on the left, in charge of distributing the game on offense and creating partnerships in his zone. However, His performance was below expectations: little participation in the construction of the game, almost no impact on the completion and little prominence within the team.
Concha played 88% of the games as a starter, playing only 64% of the 'U''s total minutes so far this season. His playing average is 57' per game and he never completed 90'; That is, he was always changed in some part of the commitment by Bustos' decision. But the problem with Concha goes beyond his continuity, since he has not managed to acquire that degree of importance in the team. The cream midfielder barely registers, on average, 1.3 shots per game, 0.1 direct shots on goal and 0 clear missed chances. From this, it follows that his participation in the Merengue team's goals was only 8%. Without a doubt, these are records that are not up to par with a player like him, because he usually has good performances on the field.
Games played | Minutes played | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
8 | 459′ | 0 | 1 |
In terms of football, Bustos chose Concha as a starter because he is convinced of her playing characteristics. His football expression is the closest to Quispe's; but his production has been little until this part of the Apertura. Jairo is not used to this system, since in Alianza Lima he played with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. Therefore, it is key to have continuity, gain greater confidence in the generation and create society in your area. In that space, Segundo Portocarrero appears as a clear option to do damage on the left; while Martín Pérez Guedes does the same in the center. Concha has someone to download, associate and enable with. There is also Edison Flores, whose job is to make the link with the center forward. Confidence is decisive for adaptation, something that Jairo needs to show to strengthen the team collective.
'Canchita' doesn't measure up
When social networks announced the signing of Christofer Gonzales, it sparked the excitement of the cream fan. 'Canchita' was the senior player they needed in the midfield: a national team player, champion of Peruvian soccer and highly experienced. It could be said that he was the draw for the Centennial for everything he represents. And like Jairo Concha, he had to be noticed in a team that lives with the memory of Piero Quispe; However, his performance with the 3-5-2 system was below expectations and, to a certain extent, worrying. The midfielder is in debt in the construction of the game, has little production in attack and has not even managed to finish directly at the rival goal.
Since he arrived, Gonzales played 50% of the games as a starter, playing only 48% of the 'U''s total minutes in the Apertura. His average game is 43 'per game and he has not even been able to finish a 90' commitment. At first he was a starter for Bustos (he played as a first baseman four times), but then he lost weight within the team due to his poor performance and was replaced by Martín Pérez Guedes, who finally ended up taking over the position. His problem is that he has not managed to sustain a constant performance, which translates into his statistics: 'Canchita' has registered less than one shot per game and no direct shots on goal with a cream shirt. In short, his production with the team has been zero.
Games played | Minutes played | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
8 | 343′ | 0 | 0 |
This version of Gonzales is far from the one he once showed at Sporting Cristal, where he acquired a leading role and was national champion in 2020, registering five goals in 19 games. Precisely, that is what 'U' fans want to see. Due to his intermittency, 'Canchita' has not been able to become the '10' of the team, that player who acts as the 'brain' to distribute the game and make the circuits work. His adaptation to the 3-5-2 is slow, he does not make a difference when required and it is difficult for him to create partnerships in the midfield. Christofer is used to positioning himself as a hitch or mixed midfielder, but he needs to understand Bustos' thinking. What makes this process more difficult is that Pérez Guedes is above him in performance, and must wait for his opportunity to convince the coach.
Concha and Gonzales were signed to give quality and hierarchy to the cream midfield, as a way to compensate for the football void left by Quispe. And, in that sense, Universitario needs more of both in the generation of play. The Apertura break can be a perfect fit for self-criticism, with the aim of improving your performances. The 'U' expects more from both of them to be two-time champions.
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