Of Tens And Nines

You know, some times I think I should be careful what I write here in this blog. Before the match against Banfield, which Newell's won 2-1 if you haven't been paying attention, I made some comments about Cristian Sánchez Prette playing as a 5, or holding midfielder. As it turns out I've learned he played more as a typical central midfielder, slightly ahead of Bernardi, but behind Formica. Thank you, rosarino, for that bit of information.

Thing is, I wondered how Sánchez Prette would play, and made a statement that perhaps Sensini would be better off experimenting with a double 10 system (two playmakers) than having Cristian try and play as a 5. Now Sensini has decided to do just that, as both Mauro Formica and Marcelo Estigarribia have been announced to start tomorrow's match against Atlético Tucumán just behind the forwards.

Beyond that, with Jorge Achucarro being called away for international duty with Paraguay, Cristian Núñez is going to be starting along side Joaquín Boghossian. So, not only will it seem that the team will be playing a double 10, but a double 9 as well (9 is the traditional number in Argentina for a striker, typically a larger player who will be a physical presence in the opposing teams penalty area. Boghossian at 6'5" and Núñez, 6'2", both fill that bill.)

Below is the full line up as it's expected to start the match, followed by the players who will be on the bench:

Sebastián Peratta
Agustín Alayes, Rolando Schiavi, Juan Insaurralde
Nahuel Roselli, Lucas Bernardi, Leonel Vangioni
Mauro Formica, Marcelo Estigarribia
Cristian Núñez, Joaquín Boghossian

Substitutes:
Nahuel Guzmán, Ignacio Fideleff, Juan Quiroga, Hugo Barrientos, Hernán Villalba, Franco Dolci, Mauricio Sperduti, Cristian Sánchez Prette y Diego Torres.

I have to wonder about Fideleff and Quiroga as the only defenders on the bench. Neither are central defenders, and if any of the three starters have to leave the game... I can only speculate that Alexis Machuca must have an injury, hopefully mild.

Still, if Sensini must experiment, if Fideleff or Quiroga are forced to try and play in the middle of defense, better that it be against Atlético Tucumán than any of the teams in the top half of the standings.