Club Tijuana Captain Adjusts to Miguel Herrera’s Defensive Scheme
Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles captain Javier Gandolfi has been part of many systems. He is one of the longest tenured players in Tijuana. He has seen strategies from different coaches. And now he will adjust to another with the arrival of Miguel Herrera.
The veteran defender will be part of Herrera’s scheme when the 2016 Apertura season begins next month. He is already looking forward to leading the defensive back line.
“The idea Miguel brings is to play with a five-man backline,” Gandolfi said. “So, we have enough time to practice it and to understand his idea and hopefully that is for the best. And if one day he asks us for a line of four, then we will also work on that.”
The Xoloitzcuintles have been working in Mexico City this week as they continue with preseason practices at the Mexican Federation’s performance center. The team began to work on the tactical side of things Wednesday morning with work in reduced spaces. The team also focused on defensive schemes towards the end of the training session.
Defender Leiton Jimenez was also part of that work.
“We have tried to play more than anything this week,” Jimenez said. “We worked on ball control. We want the team to have a solid output from the back and be secure with the ball. We worked more on defense today in the way (Miguel Herrera) wants the team to play. He wants a a five man line so that the part in the back is a strong one.”
Gandolfi also talked for the first time about Herrera since the coach arrived to Tijuana last month. The Argentine-born and naturalized Mexican has worked under the new manager for two weeks. He spoke about working with Herrera beyond the field.
“We all saw him on television but he has surprised us all,” Gandolfi said. “I think he’s a great human being, an excellent person. The group took well to the details he set forward when he got here.
“He’s a sentimental guy but strong in his expressions. There are people who might think differently but the truth is he’s an extraordinary human being. I noticed it since he inflicted his ideas. We are very happy, with small details the team feels comfortable.”
Goalkeeper Gibran Lajud has also been working in the triple sessions this week. He spoke with the media Wednesday. The man who started at goal for the Xoloitzcuintles in the final two games last season talked about what could be ahead for him.”
“It’s true I finished playing the last tournament,” Lajud said. “This is a new phase with a new coach and on my part, I am going to try and leave everything on the field so that I can have a chance to be a starter.”
Club Tijuana will continue with the triple sessions in Mexico City until Monday Dec. 20 when it will face Irapuato in a friendly before returning to Tijuana.
