Wilchez was Alfaro’s pupil in the Argentine team Club Atlético Tigre.
There are several voices that point to Gustavo Alfaro as a coach who likes the defensive game and who relies heavily on keeping zero in his goal. Last week the Argentine journalist Martín Liberman questioned the Ecuador coach of being an austere, pragmatic coach and that he was never going to go out and beat the rivals. He is a “mouse”, even the influential TV host said when he explained that the helmsman of the Tri hides when he has to go out to look for notes.
Liberman’s notes were reinforced by an ex-boyfriend from Alfaro who was asked by AS Chile around the duel that Chile and Ecuador will hold on Tuesday at the Universidad Católica stadium.
Lucas Wilchez, a former Colo-Colo driver, was led by Alfaro in Tigre, in 2014 and 2015, and before embarking on his return to Argentina, the left-hander revealed some details about the type of driving that the Ecuadorian DT develops. The steering wheel also shed some light on what Chile will find in San Carlos de Apoquindo.
“I had Gustavo as a coach in Tigre, it was about a year and a half. He is a very experienced technician, when I had him I realized that he is a technician to study the rival, he relies a lot on the defensive part, on keeping zero in his goal. In Ecuador, on the offensive side, they have very fast, very fast players who can make a difference. Throughout these heats, he is already making his mark. For me, seeing Ecuador is looking at the Tiger where I played. Chile is going to find a well-standing team, in all its lines. Tidy, which is the main thing, Gustavo puts a lot of emphasis on that. When it comes to attacking, he does a lot on the wings and gives a lot of importance to the stopped ball. It’s going to be tough for Chile ”, anticipated Wilchez.
Below is the reproduction of the interview of AS Chile with Argentine footballer Lucas Wilchez, who has just concluded the 2021 season with San Felipe en el Ascenso.
What did you think of the Ecuadorian team in football terms?
Every time I was able to watch Playoff games, of course I saw Ecuador. It is a tough team. He has the same stamp not only of the Tigre where I played, but also that of the other teams he led in Argentina. In the Ecuadorian team he has other players and other resources, but it is the same.
What can you tell us about the defensive label that they put on Alfaro?
In Argentina he is classified as that, but I do not know if he is defensive, yes as very balanced. Defensive no, because imagine that it is third. He places a lot of emphasis on taking care of the zero in his arc, but that does not mean that he is defensive. He seeks that his teams are organized and then he gives people who play well freedom. This is what happened to me with him in Tigre, but always maintaining order. But Ecuador may lose focus, it usually happens with those teams, and maybe you can find yourself five minutes into the first half with a play that allows you to open the scoring. If Chile gets to make a long game, to keep zero, it will be difficult.
Where did Alfaro make him play and what things did he ask of him on the court?
With Gustavo he played as the left midfielder, because he plays a lot 4-4-2 as a scheme. I played on the left and he always asked me for tactical order. Later, when it came to playing, I closed myself off and tried to play. Most of all, he always asked me for a lot of order.
Did your arrival in Ecuador surprise you, did you sense that you could reach a South American team?
Not so much, because now the national teams are looking for many Argentine technicians. Gustavo can calmly direct this type of team like Ecuador. However, in Argentina he was questioned a lot, because he was supposedly a coach to manage only small teams. I think Ecuador fell like a glove and is showing it. It has many capabilities and it is more than proven.
Do you think Ecuador will finally go to Qatar?
Yes, I believe yes. I think he will fight to go to the World Cup.
What can be the aspects to open a defense that is presumed delayed and also very closed?
What happens is that I see it at this stage of the national teams, they are not open games, because there is little left. They take care of everything, they are in the smallest details. I believe that at the national team level you cannot fail, because where you go wrong, you may pay dearly. The difference is going to be in the concentration, in the details. These last games are not pretty to watch, they are risking their lives and they are all very close in the table. The details are going to be an important factor.
How have you seen Chile in this rebound that it is showing?
I have seen it well. The Chilean National Team in recent years has grown a lot. What happens is that, in this last time, two or three dates ago, they said that he was outside. I did not think like that and now she hit two or three results and got fourth. I see the team well. For me, he has great players and what I do notice is that he is in a process of change, with new people emerging. Obviously this is a process and takes time. In South America it is one of the teams that plays football well, anyone who enters knows what they have to do. He has a way of playing, a very identified seal. It is one of the best selections.
Do you think La Roja can qualify for the World Cup?
Yes, of course he has a chance. Obviously there are tough games left, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, but they can easily put up a fight. Here they became strong at home again, they have a chance to get into the World Cup in peace. (D)
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