Observing Andre throughout the Copa Libertadores final allowed the midfield player to showcase his ability to being a highly productive No. 6 for Liverpool, particularly when it comes to possession.
Fernando Diniz, the manager of Fluminense, informed his gifted 22-year-old midfield player Andre in the beginning of 2023 that he intended to keep him on until the end of the campaign.
As soon as the previous January transfer window closed, Diniz required Andre committed for the duration of the campaign, which in South America runs through one calendar year as opposed to two as in Europe,
Andre honoured his word, even though Liverpool enquired about his availability in the summer.
He was rewarded on Saturday night with a Copa Libertadores trophy, which is the South American equivalent of a Champions League title and the largest club prize.
It was particularly significant because it was the first time Fluminense had won the top honour on the continent.
Faithfulness and morality
If he had gone to Europe in the summer, he would have made more money sooner, but he valued his allegiance to his current club more.
He remarked, “It was a really hard decision.” “I don’t know if I would feel completely at ease with myself if I had taken that offer.
“Because I trusted Diniz, and he respects your word and your candour.”
“He always says that good things happen when we do things the right way.”
Here, that was undoubtedly the case.
Offers from Europe are tough to decline or postpone for players with Andre’s level of talent and ambition, but by staying, he has achieved an accolade that will rank among his most prized achievements of all time, no matter what else he accomplishes.
Taking Note of Diniz
Additionally, he continued to learn from Diniz, one of the most well-known coaches in the game.
This esteemed and well scrutinised tactical scheme is perceived as a component of the forthcoming football gameplay.
Diniz has described it as appositional, as opposed to the position style of game by Pep Guardiola:
“Because I like having the ball, people associate me with Guardiola. But stop there.
“His way of having the ball is the opposite of mine. In Guardiola’s teams, after two minutes you see that the players obey a space. Whoever is on the right stays on the right, whoever is on the left stays on the right and the ball reaches those spaces.
“Of course, Guardiola changed, the full-backs, like Cancelo, passed.
“The way I see it at this moment is almost appositional. Players migrate positions.
“It’s a freer game, we get closer in the sectors of the field and in these sectors, there are changes of position.
“I think this has more to do with the culture of our football.”
That kind of stuff comes to mind when you think of the well-known Brazil squad from 1982 that played around the pitches in Spain. Brazil ’82 seems to be part of the aim or at least part of the spirit of this style, even though it isn’t always quite as polished and graceful.
Andre is the focal point of it. However, considering how flexible this structure is, there truly isn’t a centre.
Play in buildup is less positional and less regimented. It resembles more of a vertical and horizontal tornado of possession moving over the pitch.
Players may sprint erratically, look for long through-balls, or carry the ball before offloading it. A few one-twos later, things appear clearer and the close combinations make sense, even though they frequently appear to crowd one other out and step on each other’s toes.
This calls for or lends itself to good control in confined spaces, which Andre possesses.
Andre in the Copa Libertadores final
Andre was the deepest player when the centre backs went forward against Boca Juniors. A pass that was fired forward from within his own half towards the striker created a hazardous situation for Fluminense from which German Cano could have earned a penalty.
Instead of the wide centre backs we’re used to seeing, Andre dived between the defenders in a close formation and advanced up the field, passing to teammates along the way.
This implies that he will be able to cover and will be accustomed to positional adjustments, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold switching from right-back to midfield.
Edinson Cavani had a chance when his shielding kept the Boca forward offside, but the Uruguayan strangely chose to send the ball back instead of turning and shooting.
He is both a deep-lying midfielder and a No. 8 because of the flexibility of the roles in this system.
His performance in this final demonstrated that he can be a more than capable “No. 6” for Klopp, especially while in possession, even though he could be better in a box-to-box role.
The passing is progressive and safe, just what you would want in this kind of role. With a 95% completion percentage, Andre made 69 out of 73 passes that he attempted.
Given how high up the deepest midfield player is supposed to press, the defensive job is adequate and will probably get better at Liverpool.
When he tangled with Cavani later in the match, he shown a little bit of bite, and when he tried a left-footed effort from beyond the area, he showed off his two two-footedness.
This kind of play fits the anarchy of the Libertadores in many ways. It’s all about feeling and responding to every circumstance.
Red cards, wonder goals, and additional time to try players’ stamina were all present.
Andre has become a part of Fluminense history and a continental champion if, as appears likely, he decides to join Liverpool.
There might be more if he turns out to be Liverpool’s missing piece, as the team hopes.
