Mexico Coach Juan Carlos Osorio Gets One Last Chance to Tinker in Chile Friendly

As Victor Frankenstein found out, experiments can do more harm than good. For Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, however, tinkering is the only way he can create a footballing monster for this year’s Copa America Centenario.

Osorio, like Frankenstein, the lead character in Mary Shelley’s novel, is happy to experiment, albeit on a football field rather than in a laboratory.

Since taking charge, the Colombian has had the chance to assess his players while steering Mexico to six straight wins. Admittedly the fixtures have been against weaker opposition, but they have scored 13 goals in his short tenure and conceded none.

Paraguay were their latest victims on Saturday, as a first-half goal from Andres Guardado secured a 1-0 victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, El Tri’s Copa America preparations continue with a friendly against reigning champions Chile at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

For Osorio, it is a chance to mix things up again, certainly with personnel and possibly in terms of formation.

He has, more often than not, used a 4-3-3 system since taking charge.

However, against Paraguay, he showed his flexibility by deploying three at the back and Jesus Molina as a deep-lying midfielder.

Jon Arnold of Goal explained the reason behind the switch: “With some players yet to join up with the group and others still regaining form after recently concluded seasons, the manager elected to flex from his normal 4-3-3 formation.”

Osorio is also aware of the potential need for change depending on a specific opponent, too. The clash with Chile could be a dress rehearsal for a knockout tie at the Copa America. Depending on where they …

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