Renato Gaúcho on tactics, three midfielders and risk v Bahia | OneFootball

The 2-0 victory over Bahia and the qualification for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil were not just the result of individual talent, but of a meticulous tactical plan, as revealed by coach Renato Gaúcho. In a press conference, the tricolor commander detailed the logic behind his choices, especially the decision to start the match with three defensive midfielders, and the right moment for the "calculated risk" that changed the course of the game.

When asked why he didn't opt to start with Lucho, a more offensive midfielder, instead of keeping the three defensive midfielders, Renato offered a lesson in strategy and group management. "The question is very good, but I will explain", the coach began. "When I have any doubts, I always talk with three, four players. It's my way of working. I like to hear from the players, I give them the freedom to express how they feel best on the field, within a tactical determination, with three defensive midfielders or with a midfielder."

Three defensive midfielders: more security, not less offensive

Renato challenged the common perception that three defensive midfielders make the team defensive. He argued that, in fact, his team is more offensive with this scheme. "I usually tell you this, even when we play with three defenders, many people think that the team is defensive. Sometimes, with three defensive midfielders, you are more offensive than with two, sometimes with three defensive midfielders, you are more offensive than with a midfielder. It depends on the construction of your defensive midfielders", he explained.

The coach highlighted the characteristics of his midfield players. "My defensive midfielders play and mark, mark and play", he stressed. As proof, he cited the performance in the first leg. "We played the same way against Bahia in Salvador and we were better than Bahia there. We dozed off at the end of the game and conceded a goal that we should not have conceded. Today we did not doze off, we did not concede a goal and we dominated Bahia all the time."

Patience and the "calculated risk" at halftime

The decision not to start with Lucho was guided by caution and reading the opponent. Renato knew that Bahia would set up defensively. "I knew that Bahia would bunker down and play in a 4-5-1 as they usually do. They have fast players up front and we couldn't give them that freedom", he considered.

The priority was security, even needing to reverse the score. "What could not happen is for me to start with Lucho and, suddenly, concede a goal to Bahia. Then things would get ugly for us. When I put the three defensive midfielders, I knew that we would play, I knew that we would build and we would be secure at the back. We had 90 minutes to play", he stated.

The moment to "risk" was planned for halftime. The entry of Lucho in place of Nonato was a strategic change to increase the construction capacity and break the opponent's defensive lines. "I told my group, at the right time I will start to risk. So, we started to risk at halftime", revealed the coach, who saw his team materialize the dominance and shake the nets.

In the end, Renato Gaúcho's decision, based on initial security and planned change, proved to be correct, ensuring not only the victory, but also the demonstration of tactical flexibility and the depth of the tricolor squad.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.