Tony Popovic has struggled this season to get the Western Sydney Wanderers playing proactively. But last night, by playing Japanese playmaker Yujiro Takahagi deeper in midfield as one of his two holding midfielders, the Wanderers arguably looked the best they have this season.
While it wasn’t the only positive feature of the Wanderers’ win over Kashima Antlers in the first game of this year’s Asian Champions League, the use of Takahagi and Kearyn Baccus as his twin pivots gave the Wanderers much more play and mobility than they’ve been used to.
While there was some talk before the game about the Wanderers resting their apparent stars, I saw the change to the midfield as Popovic’s way of searching for a solution.
So far this season his problem solving has been more miss than hit.
Last night, while there was no change to his 4-2-3-1 template, there was a change to the make-up his formula, with Takahagi, Baccus and Nick Kalmar playing together for the first time.
The surprise was the deployment of Takahagi, ostensibly an attacking number 10 central midfielder, as a deeper number six.
But he wasn’t a sitting or defensive-minded six, as the Wanderers have been used to with Mateo Poljak, Iacopo La Rocca, Matthew Spiranovic, Jason Trifiro, and others.
With Baccus the one to stay deeper, Takahagi essentially played the role of a running number eight, charged with the responsibility of breaking forward and adding an attacking influence.
This was a Wanderers template designed not merely to contain the Antlers, but to come out and play.
For much of the A-League season Popovic’s team have struggled to do anything but sit back and wait for the inevitable. The retreating of the defensive line, basically onto the keeper, has been one of its biggest problems, coupled with an inability to come out of that shell by playing through midfield and moving the last line up the pitch.
Last night they used a higher defensive line, and the sterling defensive work of Yusuke Tanaka on the right side of defence against the tricky Caio helped the Wanderers control Kashima.
Basically, if you’re playing Baccus and Takahagi as your pivots, there’s no point sitting back and hoping for the best.
Apart from giving up the ball for the Antlers goal, Baccus was generally very good as a mobile defensive screener, running about, breaking up the play and moving it quickly to the creative Takahagi.
Playing in his home country, Takahagi was everywhere, not only relishing his defensive duties, but proving a vital link to the attacking transition.
Whether it was by moving the ball swiftly to one of the flanks or by galloping forward on the ball, with pace, Takahagi added much to the Wanderers attack, even if they perhaps benefited late from Kashima still being in pre-season.
Whether the use the Takagahi as a deeper-lying attacking thrust will work in the more physically demanding A-League remains to be seen. But it’s certainly worth trying.
The Wanderers success of the past two seasons has largely been on the back of the power out of midfield from Poljak and La Rocca.
It hasn’t been working this time around. Teams have moved past the Wanderers by playing quicker, more technical football.
The Wanderers haven’t had the ability to sustain the ball and transition it through midfield.
But last night was the first sign of light, a performance where the Wanderers didn’t just put up the shutters, but tried to be proactive, and they got their reward.
The question now is whether it was a one-off or whether Popovic can build a more proactive formula through the rest of the A-League, starting with Saturday night’s Sydney Derby.
Post hoc
Guest
My counter to your dismissal of the ACL is simply "Europa League"
ciudadmarron
Guest
Can one ever be too facetious when it comes to derby week? ;) Anyway, given that, who's getting slapped on the back of the head tomorrow night I wonder? Cheer up Kane - high five!
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
You're being too facetious, I'm just saying, no team copes well when someone goes out and injures their players.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I also far more enjoy the quality of football in the UCL, however I identify with the clubs in the ACL to a far higher degree hence I'm glued to the screen. As long as you enjoy what you watch. That said the Guangzhou Evergrande v FC Seoul match was a ripper with some solid football on display. Loved every minute of it.
SVB
Guest
I don't think you have to respond to a comment like that. It's someone who is seeking attention more than anything else. The final sentence is a bizarre statement to say the least.
Bondy
Guest
Steve Your points are somewhat fair but how do we improve if people like you want to walk away from the game locally. Nobody is suggesting yourself included that The Wanderers are Real Madrid if you're expecting Real Madrid quality type games doesn't that mean you dont really understand the depth of the sport globally. If I watch Al Halal or Shimzu S Pulse play against an Australian Club I dont expect them to play like Bayern Munich therefore I'm not cheating myself nor feeling ripped off . You suggest you dont want to be made feel guilty by not watching the ACL nobody wants that but just be a little bit more realistic as to what you're actually consuming .
ciudadmarron
Guest
Steve you could start by at least explaining what about it was "bad". Rather than just throwing a blanket over it. But even then - the UCL is largely filled with some of the best players in the world. I don't know what you expect. Yes, there will be a difference in quality. It's the most obvious thing in the world of football. You need to have a different mindset to watch HAL and ACL - and that is - this is OURS. This is OUR competition, OUR players. That doesn't mean saying they are better. It just means saying - these are the players and teams that we will see on a regular basis. Get to know them. The quality might not be as good but the stories are just as interesting, the contests as fiercely fought.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Really??? I was thinking maybe Abbas might get a run this weekend... but if you say so.
punter
Guest
Thanks for sharing. Little bit of advice, why don't you just keep your attentions onto everything non HAL & ACL, that way you need to not comment on anything in the local scene, that keeps you happy & we'd also be happy not having to read your negative opinions.
Steve
Guest
I fully expect to be called a Euro Snob, but I watched both ACL matches also watched the UCL this week. The quality is literally like chalk and cheese. I will probably start to watch less ACL, it was torture watching how bad they were. It's like a fan of TV watching Breaking Bad vs Home and Away. I dont see why I should be made guilty for not watching H&A or the ACL.
britesparke
Roar Rookie
Ah Yes.....the WIN stadium game. A pretty decent crowd of 11K+ turned up to watch that rather lacklustre affair between Sydney FC and Newcastle. Imagine what sort of crowd they would get if a quality side like their own Wolves had played that day. :P
Gavin R
Guest
Wanderer's could well be Asia's Dortmund. I'm sure its mentally easier to lift for an ACL match than A-league. Their domestic season is long gone and the financial incentives of the ACL means they'll be putting in a lot more than the domestic season. As mentioned previously, the lack of promotion and relegation is an enormous benefit to Australian sides in the tournament if they wish to prioritise ACL. Mind you, we don't compete financially with these clubs which is beneficial to Asian sides so it all balances out in the end.
yewonk
Guest
"Scoring for fun" So when you said throw out a few facts, did that mean you were going to make up fantasies. Enjoy the game on the telly kane.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Sorry our game plan doesn't involve injured players.
Gareth
Guest
Actually I'm pretty sure it's the 15 goals thing.
SVB
Guest
I will be interested to see if you lot can walk the talk. Ever since Arnie has come to the club there is a new found arrogance and lack of respect for your opponents. Maybe it will come back to bite you, or maybe a loonie like Arnie just might be the lucky charm you need.
Gareth
Guest
I'm very interested to see how this game turns out on Saturday night. Will the ACL win give the wanderers a boost or will it have drained them of the energy needed to compete in this game. They definitely scored some high quality goals last night, here's hoping they don't so it again :P And the new found confidence? It comes with scoring 15 goals in 4 games...
AZ_RBB
Guest
Never a dull moment at the Wanderers haha
SVB
Guest
It wasn't so long ago after that game at WIN Stadium against Newcastle, that Sydney FC was one of the teams expected to crash in the league. Looked terrible in that game and hadn't scored a goal for about 3 or 4 games. It hasn't taken you long to suddenly develop a new found confidence. A bit rich complaining to others. Maybe when you finally win a trophy again you can tell us how great you are.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Then after the derby there is the mouthwatering match of Wanderers vs Evergrande. The two matches these sides produced last time were interesting to say the least.