1. Scout report : CHILE 2015 (Copa America)
by Branko Nikovski
( the creator of the Method 5x5 and the Morpho 5 Cycle )

4. 1. OFFENSIVE PHASE
4-3-1-2 + 3-4-1-2 = chameleonic tactic
- The chameleonic modification happens
because in defensive phase , the opponents
is always positioned in 4-4-2 or 5-3-2. For
that reason is necessary to have three in
defense, or two central defenders +
defensive midfielder (drops down for the
creation of the construction).

5. GENERAL PRINCIPLES :
- an idea based on ball possession and the
dynamical geometry, where the technical abilities of
the players move to higher level.
- The midfield triangle's dynamics :
1) one midfielder drops down offering support to
the defensive midfielder (4-3-1-2) or at defensive
trio(3-4-1-2) during the construction of the offensive
phase.

6. 2) the other midfielder remains in Zone 2, expecting
a pass for moving the ball in lateral or central
direction.
3) the tip of the triangle , remains between the
opponent's lines in Zone 3 ,expecting a filtered pass.
-The full-backs are always wide and high, offering
lateral insertions and lateral numerical superiority.
-One of the strikers is often wide (Sanchez) and the
other (Vargas) is central. They often attack in depth.
Sanchez ,sometimes drops down in Zone 3 offering
support and changing the play on the other side of
the pitch via long diagonal pass for Isla.

11. ZONE 1 :
-In Zone 1 , they are alway in numerical superiority.
Three players + the goalkeeper. This positional game
helps them to get out of the opponent's pressing and
move the ball in Zone 2.
4-3-1-2 : the central defenders are wide ,and the
defensive midfielder drops down to receive the ball
(fullbacks wide in Zone 2).
3-4-1-2 : Three defenders : two wide, one central +
the goalkeeper.

21. ZONE 2 :
-In Zone 2 centrally , participate the two
offensive midfielders(4-3-1-2) or the double
pivot(3-4-1-2) in asymmetrical way.
-In Zone 2 laterally , participate the two
fullbacks in symmetrical way.
*The objective is to pass the ball between
the lines for Valdivia or laterally for the wide
players (fullbacks).
*The central defenders often try :
1) long vertical pass for the strikers in Zone 4.
2) long diagonal pass for Isla in Zone 3/4.

23. *The central defenders often try :
1) long vertical pass for the strikers in Zone 4.
2) long diagonal pass for Isla in Zone 3/4.

27. VALDIVIA between the lines

34. ZONE 3 :
-Independent of the system of play, in Zone 3/4 the
idea of play is the same :
1. Valdivia takes care for the passes in depth and
laterally.
2. Lateral insertions of the fullbacks
3. Central and from behind insertions of the
offensive midfielders.
4. Sanchez wide, moving centrally ,tries to find Isla ,
Vidal or Vargas
with long diagonal pass .
5. Vargas always attacks in depth
6. Three players remain on the beginning of Zone 3
to stop eventual offensive transition of the
opponents

35. Lateral insertions of the fullbacks

60. VALDIVIA (10)

67. SANCHEZ (7)

68. ZONE 4 :
-They attack with a lot of players (7/8)
-They take advantage of their technical abilities via
short passes and one touch play for dis-balance the
opponent's defense. The game change from one
flank to another is fundamental.
-The striker (Vargas) attacks in depth + the
insertions from behind of the offensive midfielders.

93. 2. DEFENSIVE PHASE :
5-3-2 (5-2-3) with man marking
4-4-2 with zonal marking (rarely)
-They are very compact and aggressive. Defending
good and helping each other.

99. 1. Against Ecuador (4-4-2)
-Ecuador in offensive phase was positioned in 4-4-2 ,where the
fullbacks didn't have attacking duties.
-Chile used the 5-3-2 with man marking for block them :
*Three central defenders for creating a numerical superiority
against the opponent's strikers.
*The fullbacks take care of the opponent's wingers.
*The double pivot takes care of the opponent's central
midfielders.
*Valdivia puts pressure on the opponent's central defenders
*Sanchez and Vargas are wide, marking the opponents
fullbacks and blocking the pass trajectories for them.

104. 2. Against Mexico (3-5-2)
-Mexico in offensive phase was positioned in 3-5-2, where the
defensive midfielder protected the defense and the lateral
midfielders were wide.
-Chile used the 5-3-2 with man marking for block them :
*Three central defenders for creating a numerical superiority
against the opponent's strikers.
*The fullbacks take care of the opponent's lateral midfielders
*The double pivot takes care of the opponent's central
midfielders.
*Valdivia was marking their defensive midfielder.
*Sanchez and Vargas disturbed their defensive trio.

107. 3. Against Bolivia (4-2-3-1)
-Bolivia in offensive phase was positioned with two defensive
midfielders (protecting the defense) , one attacking midfielder ,
and wide wingers.
-Chile used a modified 5-2-3 , something like 4-1-2-3 :
*Two central defenders are marking the striker. ; the third is
marking the attacking midfielder.
*The full backs are marking the wingers.
*The double pivot is marking their central midfielders.
*Valdivia is putting pressure on the central defenders.
*Sanchez and Vargas are wide, marking the opponents
fullbacks and blocking the pass trajectories for them.

109. 4. Against Uruguay (4-4-2)
The same defensive tactic used against Ecuador.
-Chile used the 5-3-2 with man marking for block them :
*Three central defenders for creating a numerical superiority
against the opponent's strikers.
*The fullbacks take care of the opponent's wingers.
*The double pivot takes care of the opponent's central
midfielders.
*Valdivia puts pressure on the opponent's central defenders
*Sanchez and Vargas are wide, marking the opponents
fullbacks and blocking the pass trajectories for them.
-When Cavani was sent off, and Uruguay changed in 4-4-1,
Chile moved one of the central defenders(Diaz) in the midfield.

112. 5. Against Peru (4-2-3-1)
The same defensive tactic used against Bolivia.
-Chile used a modified 5-2-3 , something like 4-1-2-3 :
*Two central defenders are marking the striker. ; the third is
marking the attacking midfielder.
*The full backs are marking the wingers.
*The double pivot is marking their central midfielders.
*Valdivia is putting pressure on the central defenders.
*Sanchez and Vargas are wide, marking the opponents
fullbacks and blocking the pass trajectories for them.

114. 6. Against Argentina ( 4-3-3 e 4-4-2romboide)
-Chile used the 5-3-2 man marking tactic :
*Three central defenders against the three strikers.
*Vidal on Biglia, Aranguiz on Pastore, Valdivia on
Mascherano.
*The fullbacks take care of Argentina's fullbacks
*Sanchez and Vargas putting pressure on Otamendi and
Demichelis.
-When Di Maria got injured, and Lavezzi came on,
Argentina changed to 4-4-2 rhomboid, with Messi
trequartista , Lavezzi and Aguero strikers.
- Meanwhile, Chile modified too :
*Four defenders with Zonal marking
*Diaz on Messi, Vidal on Biglia, Aranguiz on Pastore,
Valdivia on Mascherano.
*Sanchez and Vargas remained wide ,marking the
fullbacks and blocking the pass trajectories for them.
-After a while, Argentina moved back on 4-3-3, and Chile
also moved back on 5-3-2

117. PRESSING :
-High and aggressive pressing.
-Valdivia is pressing centrally, and the strikers
marking the opponent's fullbacks are pressing
diagonally ,blocking the pass trajectories for the
opponent's fullbacks.
-Vidal and Aranguiz disturb the opponent's
playmakers.

127. 3.OFFENSIVE TRANSITION :
-Very effective game principle, thanks to the
velocity of the strikers , the creativity of
Valdivia and the insertions from behind of
Isla (laterally) and Vidal-Aranguiz(centrally).

141. 4. DEFENSIVE TRANSITION :
-Like every team who attacks with a lot of players,
Chile also sometimes can suffer this game principle.
But with the numerical superiority in defense ,they
often transform the defensive transition in positive .

154. 5. SET PIECES : defense
-CORNER Kicks :
Vargas or Sanchez is marking the first post ;
Medel and Vidal are zonal marking infront of
the goalkeeper ; the others are man
marking.

159. FREE KICKS :
LATERAL : zonal marking (in horizontal line) ;
if the free kick is near, the use the corner
kick's defensive marking tactic.
CENTRAL : 4/5 players in the wall ; the others
are zonal marking (in horizontal line)

167. 6. SET PIECES : attack
-CORNER Kicks : (Sanchez or Aranguiz)
They attack with 5/6 players , who are
changing positions very often (creating
marking confusion in the opponent).
Sometimes the use short pass.

171. -FREE KICKS :
LATERAL : (Aranguiz) ; They attack with 5/6 players ,
who are changing positions very often (creating
marking confusion in the opponent).
CENTRAL : (Sanchez) : shoot on goal

179. JORGE SAMPAOLI :
Ideology / philosophy /
vision based on
offensive football and
high pressing.
Disciple of Marcelo
Bielsa and Great
Leader.