Alfaro praises Galarza's 'shirt painted on his skin' after Turkey win

Paraguay secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Turkey, a win that highlighted coach Gustavo Alfaro's tactical acumen and the pivotal performance of Matías Galarza. Galarza not only scored the decisive goal but also played a key role in executing a meticulous game plan designed to neutralize Turkey's attacking threats.

Following the match, Alfaro lauded Galarza's dedication and performance. "Mati gives you width. He has depth and he gets to the goal. He's an added value," Alfaro said in a press conference. "For me, he has the shirt painted on his skin. His skin is painted with the color of the Paraguayan shirt, because Mati is made for this shirt. You put him in and he always responds; he's one of those who will never let you down."

Alfaro elaborated on the specific tactical setup, explaining how Galarza's presence was vital for containing Turkey's stars, Kenan Yıldız and Arda Güler. The strategy involved a layered defense, with players like Juan Cáceres and Andrés Cubas also contributing to prevent one-on-one situations and central penetration. Alfaro acknowledged that while other players might offer more attacking flair, Galarza provided the essential defensive stability and tactical discipline needed for a counter-attacking victory.

"With him, we had depth and defensive cover," Alfaro explained. "If Andrés had to double-team Kenan Yıldız, Diego Gómez had to close down, and Mati had to close down too, to prevent them from filtering through the center." He added that this approach was crucial for a game where spaces were available for counter-attacks, prioritizing tactical solidity over pure offensive prowess.

“

Mati gives you width. He has depth and he gets to the goal. He's an added value. For me, he has the shirt painted on his skin. His skin is painted with the color of the Paraguayan shirt, because Mati is made for this shirt. You put him in and he always responds; he's one of those who will never let you down.