Fathoming Farina’s Formation

In the months leading up to the start of the season, fans across the country pick their starting XI for their team. A combination of new signings, fresh departures, and inform squad members, however, makes this simple procedure more difficult than assumed. I’ve sat down plenty of times this offseason, trying to pick the best 11 footballers Sydney FC could put on the park that will lead the club to success to no avail.

Sydney FC let go of a few players in the offseason, including Lucas Neill, Adam Griffiths, Trent McClenahan, Jarrod Kyle, Fabio, Paul Reid, Krunoslav Lovrek and Nathan Sherlock. Additionally, Sydney FC was happy to sell young prodigy, Terry Antonis, to Seria A club, Parma. Letting go of 4 defensive players, Sydney FC has been criticized recently for their continual registration of midfielders and strikers. In the recent transfer window, we’ve gained Carle back from loan and signed a young and exciting striker in the form of Corey Gameiro. Matt Jurman has been signed to fill the spot Adam Griffiths has left, whilst Marc Warren will slot in to Fabio’s freshly departed position. The most exciting signing, at least in my opinion, was Pedj Bojic, who joins with the Sky Blues after a championship season with the Central Coast Mariners.

Straight away, just looking at the squad list, my first concern arises from the central midfield position. From recent reports, Grant will be looking to secure a spot in the centre of the park, making the shift from the flanks, as too Emerton. If those two are to be played as central midfielders, we have 6 potential options, and that is excluding Alessandro Del Piero, considered as a forward for the time being. Those 6 options are Brett Emerton, Rhyan Grant, Nicky Carle, Terry McFlynn, Peter Triantis and Hagi Gligor, the young Socceroo who debuted for the club last season.

Whilst confusion can arise from that squad, a lot was learnt for fans and analysts at Sydney FC’s first preseason friendly last night against minnows Belmore United from the 4^th tier of NSW football. Perhaps not to the surprise of many, Sydney FC ran out 6-0 victors, with goals from Emerton, Grant, Naumoff, Mallia and Abbas. It was gathered that the Sky Blues ran a 4-3-3 formation that lined up in the first half like so:

It was an interesting squad that asked a lot of questions. Frank Farina changed his formation too a 4-3-3 from what he introduced towards the end of the season, playing a 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1 when Del Piero dropped in behind the striker). At this stage, at least 7 players (Janjetovic, Bojic, Jurman, Emerton, Carle, J. Griff and possibly Warren) out of the Starting 11 can feel confident of starting the first round of the year against Newcastle on the 11^th of October.

What this formation answered, however, was the extension of Yairo Yau’s loan for another season. Although I developed a strong liking towards the Panamanian international, I wasn’t too impressed with his performances at #9. Yairo posseses speed that even frightens Kofi Danning and Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, and that definitely is an asset to his game. However his finishing, minus a delectable chip against CCM, and positioning leaves a lot to be desired. At striker, although his pace allowed him to find some success, he is required to do more than just run. However, on the wing, his pace and touch could allow him to become one of the most dangerous wide men in the A-League.

With a 4-3-3 formation, and at this stage, my team would line up like so:

This team obviously did not include Alessandro Del Piero, who is lapping it up overseas and not appearing for the A-League All Stars (but that is a different can of worms to open another time). It begs the question where the Italian marquee will fit into the 4-3-3 system if Farina goes ahead with it. The positioning of Joel Griffiths, who debuted for the Sky Blues at striker, on the wing means that the central forward position will be opened up. Chianese on the other wing was expected, as he appeared in that wide position on his late comeback from injury vs Perth Glory. At the same time, I’m not convinced that Gamiero will start the season as striker either.

Del Piero as a central midfielder, however, spells danger. There is no denying that he could do a job there, but his fitness and defensive ability could be harmful to the team. Del Piero will be close to 40 at the culmination of the season, and there is no way his legs could keep up with the needs of a central position. In fact, even in an advanced position last season, he struggled with the physical requirements of the A-League.

But my concern majorly relates to Nicky Carle. With Del Piero in the centre of the park, Carle, and the other midfielder who seems to be at this time Emerton or Triantis, will need to hold a lot more. For Triantis or Emerton, this isn’t an issue, both possessing defensive qualities. However, a player like Carle, who holds great flair, will have their attacking prowess compromised by constantly needing to cover the great Italian marquee. Before his loan to the Middle East, Carle was a driving force behind Sydney FC 2011/12 season. His performances sometimes won games on his own. In our endeavour for a semi final birth at the end of that year, it was his games against Melbourne Heart and Newcastle Jets that got us over the line.

It is because of this, I suggest to Farina to start watching some Spanish football, with the national team and Barcelona in particular. In 2012, Spain put out a statement by opening their Euro 2012 campaign playing 6 midfielders in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fabregas given the #9 role. Vicente del Bosque, however, was rewarded for his bravery, and Spain went on to win the tournament. This concept was used before Spain’s adoption however, with Luciano Spalletti’s Roma embracing the system playing Francesco Totti, a known trequartista, as the #9. Arsenal found success with Robin van Persie and two fast wingers for a little while, as too have Barcelona recently.

Barcelona line up with Lionel Messi as the #9, and two fast wingers to his side, usually Sanchez and Pedro. There are great similarities between Messi and Del Piero. Both are skilful on the ball, small, explosive (albeit only over 5-10m with Del Piero) and are known for their creativity. Sydney have the likes of Joel Griffiths, Yairo Yau, Mitch Mallia, Ali Abbas and Joel Chianese who can all play on either side of Del Piero. All players, with Griffiths to an extent, possess great pace, similar to the fast wingers of Barcelona and Arsenal. There is no reason, that if implemented correctly, Sydney FC can find success with a False 9 as did Spain, Barcelona and Arsenal:

What excites me about this formation in particular is the possibility of Carle and Del Piero linking up. With Emerton and Triantis in the centre of the park, Carle can be given a free role to go forward. In fact, even a triangular midfield with two defensive midfielders and an attacking midfielder would work great. Additionally, with the three midfielders holding down the heart of the field, Bojic and Grant can bomb on up the field, another attacking weapon.

At this point, it is all guesses on what Farina will put out against Newcastle on the 9^th of October. Maybe this article is a bit premature, basing everything on just one preaseason game. Regardless, with the players Sydney has, I cannot see why Farina won’t consider the famous False 9 system. In fact, I’m confident to say that the formation will be possibly one of the best Sydney could put out.

Do you agree on a False 9? I’d love to hear your opinion. Tweet me at @jordan_lorusso

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