THE RIGHT MATERIAL
Carlos Carlomagno | 1941

In football, to confirm an old theory, examples are always needed to convince and destroy any misunderstanding. In this note, I set out to strengthen my conclusions with events that left grateful teachings.

I will start with that team that was organized in Montevideo, around 1912, a team that is unparalleled in its characteristics. They will remember that their line of forwards, with Modena, Dacal, Piendibene, Scarone and Romano, dictated a game of technique and virtuosity.

The five played in abanico. The maestro Piendibene, in the style of Erico, Pontoni and Guzmán, organized the plays. Its solid, united defense completed the machine's gear. This team made a sensation. And that they had created a tactic according to their modalities, which were optimally explored!

THE OLYMPIC TEAM OF 1924

Twelve years later, an evolution took place in Montevideo. The goal-scorers was invented and a new form of team emerged, both in attack and defense. Mazali; Nasazzi and Arispe; Andrade, Vidal and Ghierra; Urdinarán, Scarone, Petrone, Cea, Romano!

This glorious picture, many months later, was adapted to its game structure, also exploring its own characteristics and virtues.

Mazali, athletic and agile, intercepted all centers in the style of Zamora; Nasazzi, the great Marshal, watched over his area, solving all problems with his quality. Arispe, breaking the game with a dynamic work that only he could develop. Ghierra, reinforcing Arispe's action; Andrade playing at will dominating a wing, as did Pacheco in 1912, and Santamaria, while playing for River, in 1935. Vidal, dynamic, tireless, making his game according to the circumstances and the tactic already studied, reinforced by an withdrawn left half-back. Since then, until the present, all our staff play defensively in this way.

In the attack, the insiders were the schemers. Héctor Scarone and José P. Cea, creating panic and preparing the ground for their goal-scorer Petrone, while the wingers, always well placed, collaborated with their knowledge! What players! With this pattern already studied, of their own harvest and prowess, they were Olympic champions, winning the matches. A game different from that of 1912. Two different tactical modalities, but both productive. They played with a tactical sense, studied and adapted to their virtues and the characteristics of the opponents who were skillfully exploited.

UNABLE TO CREATE THE TACTICS WITHOUT THE MATERIAL NEEDED

It is a serious problem to insist on a certain game system, without having the necessary parts. Give the exaggerated extras that you pay to get the az that fits the structure already studied.

The Argentine River Plate is one and has patented its game system, be it defensive or offensive. To continue with the rules imposed by Bernabé Ferreyra, they suffered some disappointments, until they found the ideal man: Pedernera.

Nacional, from 1928 to the present, was happier. They continued to cultivate Petrone's school in their attack, because they found an Atilio Garcia.

The rosaries insist and persevere in their old school of academic and stylized football. First it was with Master Guzmán and then Pontoni. Soon others will come.

The Brazilians shine in the well-structured, scientific and fast-paced game. They know how to choose men.

San Lorenzo bought Pontoni. They look for the commandar> who fits the set and the action and modality Without proper material, therefore, there is no possible tactic.