Posted by

Michele Tossani ,

June 3, 2014 Twitter:

@MicheleTossani

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Is there room for three forwards at TFC?

Toronto FC earned three points over the weekend to lift the Trillium Cup by beating the Columbus Crew in a thrilling game in which the decisive goal was a courtesy of a Doneil Henry’s header in additional time. Despite the result, TFC were outplayed by Columbus for long stretches, with the visitors amassing a 54.7% in ball possession, but it wasn’t enough due to Toronto’s willpower to win. During this game, Ryan Nelsen had the opportunity down the final stretch to field forwards Jermaine Defoe, Luke Moore and Gilberto at the same time. Gilberto was integral in the tying goal, out leaping Michael Parkhurst to send Jermain Defoe in for the strike that beat Steve Clark. He also nearly set up with winner with Dwayne De Rosario testing the keeper not long after.





So the question is: would be possible to see TFC’s offensive trio all together in the pitch for extended periods of time? Is there is a chance to have a tactical shape good enough to allow TFC to line up the two Englishmen and Brazilian simultaneously? The question is particularly interesting regarding Gilberto: the Brazilian has been a disappointment playing up front in term of goals netted, but he has shown a strong technical ability and link-up play. An idea that looks to be growing amongst some is whether he could be more effective acting as a No. 10 behind the forwards. It wouldn’t the first instance in which a forward was converted to a No.10 playmaker. In recent seasons we have seen players who have spent their youth as forwards being played as central playmakers at some point of their career. In the modern era, there is the case involving Manchester United’s forward Wayne Rooney. A viable centre forward, the England striker was converted into a tactically intelligent No. 10 playing just behind Robin Van Persie. The 28-year old set the example and he started a complex and insightful debate about whether he is at his best being deployed as a lone forward up front or as a pure No. 10.



Another recent example comes from former Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero. During his stint in the A-League with Sydney FC, his head coach Frank Farina constantly switched team’s shape to accommodate Del Piero into his system. After he utilized him as a false nine in a 4-3-3 formation, Farina went to field Del Piero into the No. 10 spot behind a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1. Then Farina once again changed, shifting to a 4-4-2 diamond with the former Italy international being deployed as a No. 10 behind the two forwards once again.

It would not be unusual to see Gilberto played more as a trequartista than as a forward. Toronto could have a 4-4-2 diamond in the middle of the pitch to insert Gilberto behind Defoe and Moore. TFC are accustomed to playing this way either at the start of opponent’s build-up and when the ball is in possession, so it shouldn’t be a difficult transition to be made.



This would also allow Michael Bradley to play as a true holding midfielder, making him free from the duty to add pressure high up as Gilberto has done well doing it. With this formation, Jackson would likely be the sacrificed player, in order to maintain compactness and balance. A central midfielder trio featuring Bradley, Jonathan Osorio and Kyle Bekker should provide enough support, but still leaves options open with Daniel Lovitz, Alvaro Rey and Collen Warner as well. In the defensive end, playing this way with three pure offensive players up front, could effectively leave TFC with seven men when not in possession and that could cause problems defensively. To prevent opponents from dominating the midfield battle, Nelsen should ask to his forwards to alternatively come back to help the team when out of possession. Another solution could be to play a 3-4-3 with all the three forwards lined up in front in the midfield, but it would require a major tactical shakeup and more time for the team to learn it. If finding a way to get TFC three primary forwards involved: Jermain Defoe, Luke Moore and Gilberto, the diamond formation remains a more suitable option right now. Michele Tossani is a football tactician with a Ph.D. in History. Michele resides in Florence, Italy and is a tactical analyst for Futbol-Tactico.com