Lima Alliance suffered a tough defeat against Libertad on matchday four of the group stage of Copa Libertadores 2023. In this game Gabriel Costa He came on as a substitute and came on in a position that caught the fans’ attention in the second half: as a mixed midfielder. With that in mind, in this note we show you which positions “Gaby” excelled at last season in Colo Colo and why Guillermo “Chicho” Salas He didn’t make him play there this season.
What positions did Gabriel Costa play in Colo Colo in 2022?
In the 2022 season Gabriel Costa He was one of the most important figures in Colo Colo. The attacker played 37 games for the Chilean side, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists.
This season, coach Gustavo Quintero has used the Uruguayan-nationalized Peruvian in 23 games as a left winger, 11 games as an attacking midfielder, twice as a right winger and once as a striker.
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According to this data from the Transfermarkt portal, at Cacique “Gaby” undoubtedly achieved his best performance on the left flank and in the center, since in these positions he was able to contribute more to the development of the team and was not isolated by a band.
Why doesn’t “Chicho” use Salas Gabriel Costa in these positions?
since he returned Lima Alliance, Gabriel Costa He has made 12 official appearances, of which he has been used in 11 Guillermo “Chicho” Salas as extreme right. The only time he played in the middle was in the last clash against Libertad where he was more participatory and unbalanced.
One of the reasons the national strategist didn’t place “Gaby” either left or center might have to do with the large number of footballers he has in those positions. Bryan Reyna is the usual winger on the left, while Andrés Andrade, Christian Cueva and Pablo Lavandeira usually play as ’10’.
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However, given the injury of “Rifle” and the low level of “Aladino” and “Pablito”, the confidant’s coach may decide to put Costa behind the striker. In this way, the DT could capitalize on the attacker’s best virtues such as his agility, skill and ability to score.