The knockout stages of the World Cup are a peculiar beast. They are footballing theatre where reputations are forged in an instant and careers are def...
The knockout stages of the World Cup are a peculiar beast. They are footballing theatre where reputations are forged in an instant and careers are defined by a single moment of composure. So, when Javier Aguirre names a 17 year old in the middle of the park for a last 32 clash against Ecuador, the world takes notice. Gilberto Mora is not just a token inclusion. He is a statement of intent from a manager who has spent the group stage searching for the right rhythm.Aguirre's Mexico have been a puzzle in this tournament. Subtle tinkering in the group phase suggested a manager unsure of his best formula, a coach trying to unlock the door without kicking it down. But now, with the knockout bracket laid bare, he has settled. The 4. 1. 2. 3 shape feels more like a declaration. It places a heavy burden on the young shoulders of Mora in that midfield trio alongside Lira and Romo. Can a boy who should be studying for his exams read the tempo of a desperate Ecuadorian press The question is not if he has the talent, but if he has the bottle.Ecuador will smell blood. They will look at a Mexican side that, on paper, relies heavily on the aging legs of Raul Jimenez to lead the line. Jimenez remains a master of the hold up play, a man whose link up with the wide runners, Alvarado and Quinones, could cause chaos if the supply line is steady. But that supply hinges on the engine room. If Mora gets swallowed up by the physicality of the Ecuadorian midfield, the game becomes a long ball slog. That is a game Mexico cannot win.The atmosphere inside the stadium will be a factor. Mexican fans travel in numbers and their roar is a weapon. Yet, this Ecuador side is no pushover. They possess speed in transitional play that can expose a high defensive line. Mexico's full backs, Sanchez and Gallardo, will need to pick their moments to bomb forward with surgical precision, not wild abandon. One misplaced pass and the Ecuadorian forwards are in behind, licking their chops.This is squeaky bum time for El Tri. Aguirre has placed his chips on youth and structure. We are about to see if the gamble pays off or if the pressure of the knockout rounds proves too heavy a burden for a midfield babyface. The answer will come in 90 minutes, or perhaps extra time, of relentless, beautiful chaos.
