Mexico's one concern: the lack of aggression by both of their full-backs

 One of the most heated debates between Juan Carlos Osorio and his critics revolved around his insistence on using center-backs at the full-back spots along a four-man defensive line: Oswaldo Alanís, Carlos Salcedo, Edson Álvarez and the like.

Although this relieves wingers like Hirving Lozano and Jesús Manuel Corona from defensive duty, it certainly reduces the number of offensive options against packed defenses. Consider, for instance, the 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca against the United States in which Bruce Arena deployed a five-man defensive line.

In a certain sense, El Tri's second group game at the World Cup against South Korea was always going to be a typical Concacaf qualifying game. Mexico would dominate possession while the opposition would sit back and launch long balls on the counter.

Six minutes into the first half, Miguel Layún found himself in an one-on-one situation against Korean left full-back Kim Mimwoo. Layún dribbled time and again, waiting for Edson Álvarez to make an overlapping run which never arrived. At the end of the game, Mexico's two goals were produced by quick and ruthless counterattacking rather than by elaborate and wide playmaking.

It is telling that the Mexican left full-back, Jesús Gallardo, who is renowned for his aggression as a winger playing for Pumas UNAM, is yet to make his first cross of the tournament having featured in both the Germany and South Korea matches. The following heat map illustrates how conservative Osorio's approach remains in terms of the role of his full-backs, either in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1.

                                          

Of course the issue of lack of aggression by the full-backs is now just a minor detail as Mexico has found an impressive counterattacking system that is wrecking havoc in Russia. Yet, mentioning it is still important, because it should remind us that Osorio is now being deservedly praised for the same tactics for which he received much abuse in the past.

As things currently stand, Mexico finally have found a style of play which has its big pros and just little cons.