2. Missing key players
The biggest storyline heading into Wednesday night’s match was the absence of Atlanta’s star,, Josef Martinez. However, head coach Frank de Boer decided to rotate a significant portion of the line-up in addition to the striker position, creating an interesting set of problems.
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Brandon Vazquez slotted in for Josef, playing up top with Pity Martinez (who started in his usual spot). Julian Gressel started on the bench, most likely because of the knock he took against San Jose just four days prior and because the pitch at Yankee Stadium is narrow, giving Gressel less width to work with. Franco Escobar played in place of Gressel, while Hector Villalba replaced Justin Meram at left wing-back. With Escobar on the right, that pushed Leandro Gonzalez Pirez out to right center-back, which allowed Florentin Pogba to start at left center-back.
The biggest issue with the formation, which is still a 3-5-2, is where Villalba plays. He is right-footed, so naturally, he will drift inside to shoot or pass with his dominant foot. The problem with this is the congestion it causes in the middle of the pitch. With Villalba in the middle, along with Pity and Vazquez, players clog that part of the field while also leaving the left flank (and Gonzalez Pirez) exposed. When possession would inevitably turn over in midfield, New York were left with a fairly easy counter-attack, preying on a sloppy and unprotected Gonzalez Pirez.
De Boer’s substitutions did little to help the situation. Mo Adams subbed on for Eric Remedi, who came close to receiving a second yellow on the night. Meram subbed on for Villalba but didn’t touch the ball for a whole three minutes after entering the game. Dion Perreira subbed on for Escobar but made no difference in the end.
Despite missing their best player, Atlanta showed they have bigger personnel problems to deal with, and at a less than ideal time as well.