2025-09-23, 11:09 PM - Word count:
Atletico Medellin's manager, Manu Jherr, has trotted out a fairly conventional 4-3-3 system this season. He has been quoted as saying that his primary objective was finding a role that highlights each of his academy players best skills. We'll give a brief overview Medellin's identity, how each player fits into the system, and how effective it has been.
Jherr has a strong belief in his philosophy. He demands much from his players, both physically and mentally. Intense pressing, patient possession, and quick counter-attacks are the three pillars upon which Medellin is built. Out of possession they press high up the field, aiming to win the ball back quickly. In possession they turn into a 2-3-5 that aims to create overloads by driving into the half spaces.
The Forwards
Manuel Montalto is a hulking striker, known for his powerful finishing, who is tied for the lead in academy goals scored with 7 through 8 matches. Montalto has one of the simpler roles, he pushes the lines forward, he uses his huge powerful frame to brush off challenges, and is sometimes asked to hold up play when winning a long ball.
Christian De Nardo is ostensibly the left winger but he is really asked to cut diagonally inside, explore the half space, and fashion out goal scoring opportunities for his teammates. In possession De Nardo plays much like an attacking midfielder allowing space for the overlap and getting more bodies in the box. What De Nardo lacks in physical attributes he makes up for with technical passing ability, and quick decision making in the final third. He is often the second highest player up the pitch out of possession and initiates lots of pressing actions, tied for second on the team in successful presses(27).
Caroni Riveras is considered by some to be Medellin's talisman, with 4 goal contributions coming in Medellin wins. Naturally he is more of a wingback with the requisite pace, stamina, physicality, and mentality to dominate the right wing all on his own but he is asked to be more of an out and out winger this season. 5 goal involvement's through 8 matches is good but undersells Riveras' impact. He leads the team in dribbles with 30(3rd in SSL), is second in cross' attempted, and is often responsible for initiating transition opportunities. He holds width to create space for his teammates and is asked to beat fullbacks in 1v1 duels all match long.
The Midfield
Tommaso Cappellari is a dynamic attacking threat from the midfield that ends up as part of the front 5 in possession.. His ability to drive up from the midfield, penetrate the half spaces, and play one two's with Riveras is the foundation of Medellin's attack. He is second on Medellin with assists(3), first in open play key passes(12), 3rd in dribbles(10). Cappellari is also integral to Medellin's pressing structure due to many teams using a double pivot and is tied for second in successful presses(27).
Juanito Perez is the team's engine, the metronome that keeps the midfield working on both ends. Perez leads Medellin in successful presses(31), leads in interceptions(18), is second in chances created(4), is third in progressive passes(36), and leads the midfield in passes. Perez is asked to act as a playmaking hub, to connect the double pivot that forms in possession with the front 5.
Sepp Holzlmayer is asked to play a fairly conservative role in possession but is the physical tone setter on defense. His ability to tightly mark opposing 10's and aggressively win the ball back allows Perez and Cappellari to press aggressively high up the pitch. Also acts as a destroyer who doesn't allow time in the middle of the pitch for opponents to find through balls past the back line. In possession Holzlmayer is responsible for helping in the initial stages of buildup and providing an outlet to recycle possession as Medellin enters the final third.
The Defenders
Fan Favorite rightback Rip Van Winkle has great anticipation, passing, dribbling, and physicals. For those reasons Van Winkle is entrusted with shutting down opposing wingers, moving into the midfield in possession, and being the most important Medellin player in buildup. Cappellari's forays forward allow Van Winkle to invert, enter the vacated space, and find through balls to initiate mini transition opportunities. Once possession is established in the final third Van Winkle can make overlapping runs when Riveras moves into the box. Van Winkle is first on Medellin(4th in academy) in progressive passes(64), first in key tackles(4), third in key passes(10), and third in successful crosses(4)
Leftback Lucas Peioxoto has been a potent creative force so far. With blistering speed, endless stamina, tight dribbling, and the ability to curve in devastating crosses, its no surprise that Peioxoto is used as an attacking wingback. De Nardo's frequent inversions into the advanced midfield allow tons of space for Peioxoto to bomb down the byline and whip in crosses but its been set pieces where he's made the biggest impact. Peioxoto has 8 assists through 8 matches but 5 of them have come from corners.
Lan Mandragoran is immense, the kind of centerback that can shutdown opposing forwards and create linebreaking passes. Peioxoto's aggressive exploration into the attacking third often leave Mandragoran with the sole responsibility of shutting down counterattacks down the left wing. Peioxoto's aggressive positioning in possession also gives Mandragoran creative freedom to drive into space on the left side and progress the ball upfield to Perez, Peioxoto, or De Nardo. Mandragoran is second on Medellin in progressive passes(47), 2nd in interceptions(18), second in key tackles(3), and second in key headers(10).
The Results
Atletico Medellin has had moderate success since switching to these tactics, a record of 3-0-3, 14 goals for, 13 goals against, 54% possession. The Medellin boss has been quite clear in his desire to gain more possession of the ball, draw in the press, string out the opposing lines, and have swift mini counter attacks but Medellin lacks some of the pace and athleticism necessary to truly threaten in transition(7th in academy in dribbles). Perhaps Jherr should lean into playing for set piece's more often as Medellin leads the league in goals from corners. Despite being second in final third passes per game Medellin is sixth in shots for. Perhaps the manager should find a way to turn that final third possession into chances.
Jherr has a strong belief in his philosophy. He demands much from his players, both physically and mentally. Intense pressing, patient possession, and quick counter-attacks are the three pillars upon which Medellin is built. Out of possession they press high up the field, aiming to win the ball back quickly. In possession they turn into a 2-3-5 that aims to create overloads by driving into the half spaces.
The Forwards
Manuel Montalto is a hulking striker, known for his powerful finishing, who is tied for the lead in academy goals scored with 7 through 8 matches. Montalto has one of the simpler roles, he pushes the lines forward, he uses his huge powerful frame to brush off challenges, and is sometimes asked to hold up play when winning a long ball.
Christian De Nardo is ostensibly the left winger but he is really asked to cut diagonally inside, explore the half space, and fashion out goal scoring opportunities for his teammates. In possession De Nardo plays much like an attacking midfielder allowing space for the overlap and getting more bodies in the box. What De Nardo lacks in physical attributes he makes up for with technical passing ability, and quick decision making in the final third. He is often the second highest player up the pitch out of possession and initiates lots of pressing actions, tied for second on the team in successful presses(27).
Caroni Riveras is considered by some to be Medellin's talisman, with 4 goal contributions coming in Medellin wins. Naturally he is more of a wingback with the requisite pace, stamina, physicality, and mentality to dominate the right wing all on his own but he is asked to be more of an out and out winger this season. 5 goal involvement's through 8 matches is good but undersells Riveras' impact. He leads the team in dribbles with 30(3rd in SSL), is second in cross' attempted, and is often responsible for initiating transition opportunities. He holds width to create space for his teammates and is asked to beat fullbacks in 1v1 duels all match long.
The Midfield
Tommaso Cappellari is a dynamic attacking threat from the midfield that ends up as part of the front 5 in possession.. His ability to drive up from the midfield, penetrate the half spaces, and play one two's with Riveras is the foundation of Medellin's attack. He is second on Medellin with assists(3), first in open play key passes(12), 3rd in dribbles(10). Cappellari is also integral to Medellin's pressing structure due to many teams using a double pivot and is tied for second in successful presses(27).
Juanito Perez is the team's engine, the metronome that keeps the midfield working on both ends. Perez leads Medellin in successful presses(31), leads in interceptions(18), is second in chances created(4), is third in progressive passes(36), and leads the midfield in passes. Perez is asked to act as a playmaking hub, to connect the double pivot that forms in possession with the front 5.
Sepp Holzlmayer is asked to play a fairly conservative role in possession but is the physical tone setter on defense. His ability to tightly mark opposing 10's and aggressively win the ball back allows Perez and Cappellari to press aggressively high up the pitch. Also acts as a destroyer who doesn't allow time in the middle of the pitch for opponents to find through balls past the back line. In possession Holzlmayer is responsible for helping in the initial stages of buildup and providing an outlet to recycle possession as Medellin enters the final third.
The Defenders
Fan Favorite rightback Rip Van Winkle has great anticipation, passing, dribbling, and physicals. For those reasons Van Winkle is entrusted with shutting down opposing wingers, moving into the midfield in possession, and being the most important Medellin player in buildup. Cappellari's forays forward allow Van Winkle to invert, enter the vacated space, and find through balls to initiate mini transition opportunities. Once possession is established in the final third Van Winkle can make overlapping runs when Riveras moves into the box. Van Winkle is first on Medellin(4th in academy) in progressive passes(64), first in key tackles(4), third in key passes(10), and third in successful crosses(4)
Leftback Lucas Peioxoto has been a potent creative force so far. With blistering speed, endless stamina, tight dribbling, and the ability to curve in devastating crosses, its no surprise that Peioxoto is used as an attacking wingback. De Nardo's frequent inversions into the advanced midfield allow tons of space for Peioxoto to bomb down the byline and whip in crosses but its been set pieces where he's made the biggest impact. Peioxoto has 8 assists through 8 matches but 5 of them have come from corners.
Lan Mandragoran is immense, the kind of centerback that can shutdown opposing forwards and create linebreaking passes. Peioxoto's aggressive exploration into the attacking third often leave Mandragoran with the sole responsibility of shutting down counterattacks down the left wing. Peioxoto's aggressive positioning in possession also gives Mandragoran creative freedom to drive into space on the left side and progress the ball upfield to Perez, Peioxoto, or De Nardo. Mandragoran is second on Medellin in progressive passes(47), 2nd in interceptions(18), second in key tackles(3), and second in key headers(10).
The Results
Atletico Medellin has had moderate success since switching to these tactics, a record of 3-0-3, 14 goals for, 13 goals against, 54% possession. The Medellin boss has been quite clear in his desire to gain more possession of the ball, draw in the press, string out the opposing lines, and have swift mini counter attacks but Medellin lacks some of the pace and athleticism necessary to truly threaten in transition(7th in academy in dribbles). Perhaps Jherr should lean into playing for set piece's more often as Medellin leads the league in goals from corners. Despite being second in final third passes per game Medellin is sixth in shots for. Perhaps the manager should find a way to turn that final third possession into chances.
![[Image: gmSTbwI.png]](https://i.imgur.com/gmSTbwI.png)
