Bielsa shows the way forward

What a difference a coach makes! That’s the clear conclusion of the opening week of World Cup action.

When the situation demands it, even Otto Rehhagel’s Greece can charge forward in search of victory.

But when 0-0 suits everyone’s purpose, the teams will sit in their own half, be difficult to break down and seek to strike on the counter-attack. It was the reason for so many stalemates in the first round of matches.

After a flurry of excitement as teams need to get out of the group phase, I fear it will be the explanation for some stalemates to come in the knockout phase.

The key variable, then, is approach of the coach.

In which case, let’s all thank the heavens for Marcelo Bielsa. It is hard to imagine a stalemate involving a team coached by the Argentine boss of Chile.

To be fair, I do recall one - a 0-0 draw between England and Argentina a decade ago when Bielsa confessed that he had erred on the side of caution.

But as a general rule, Bielsa’s sides always seek to attack - and certainly his Chile team was a breath of fresh air in its World Cup opener against Honduras.

‘Loco’ Bielsa is as unconventional as they come. I well recall the press conference he gave after the final of the 2004 Copa America.

Then still in charge of his native Argentina, his side had dominated the game against Brazil only to lose its lead with the last kick of the game. It went to penalties, where, still wandering around in a daze, Argentina could hardly shoot straight and Brazil won easily.

It was an intensely painful moment for the coach and his team - but, ever the tactical geek, Bielsa used the press conference to outline his view that 4-3-1-2 was not the only way that football could be played.

He sets up his teams on the following basis; in an attacking line-up, he sees no point in the conventional full-back. He wants his width higher up the field.

If the opponent plays with two strikers he will have three at the back, two to mark and one to cover. A defensive midfielder will protect.

And everyone else is primarily attacking - squeezing the opposition back in its half of the field.

He always goes with a front three - two wingers and a central striker. Behind them is an attacking midfielder. And the two wide players are expected to keep pushing forward - both at the same time, unlike the normal full-back. They link up with the winger to create two against one situations against the opposing full-back.

All of this was on show against Honduras - especially in Jean Beausejour’s goal that decided the game. Star of the show is right winger Alexis Sanchez, devilishly skilful. But his involvement in the move was as a decoy.

With the Honduran defence keeping tabs on him, Mauricio Isla was able to burst into the space down the right and put in a low cross that led to the goal.

Use of width, high tempo play, sheer presence of players in attacking positions to provide options - it was all encapsulated in that goal.

There is, of course, huge risks in playing this way. Chile leaves plenty of space behind it into which the opposition can counter-attack. But it would be sad if the Bielsa approach was to fail, and Switzerland bolts to succeed.

But Switzerland’s shock 1-0 win over Spain has not done Chile any favours. If it was a bad result for Spain, it was an even worse one for the Chileans.

It is a sobering thought, but even a Chile victory over the Swiss will not guarantee it a place in the second round.

In its final group match Bielsa’s side with surely have more problems than the Swiss in trying to stifle the passing game of Spain.

It is feasible that the group will be decided on goal difference - and here Chile could find itself at a disadvantage.

Key centre forward Humberto Suazo had not recovered sufficiently from a hamstring problem to face Honduras. Without him Chile was unable to convert its massive superiority into anything greater than a single goal win.

It is something it could end up regretting - which would be unfortunate.

Successful sides are usually imitated, and future tournaments would be a lot more attractive with a few Bielsa clones in charge.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/tim-vickery/blog/1009325/Bielsa-shows-the-way-forward