Super Eagles’ technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has admitted that his team to Russia 20148 World Cup lacks depth, as the Franco-German tactician recounted that he could not play a 3-5-2 formation against Croatia because he has only one potent striker.
While also arguing that playing three defenders in Saturday’s match would have given the Croats excessive advantages against his team, Rohr stressed that his formation against Iceland on Friday would be determined by the quality the players available for the match.
Rohr stated further that his decision to ditch the effective 3-5-2 for his preferred 4-2-3-1 was because the latter approach has worked over time.
He argued that his team did not concede any goal in open play, but it was from avoidable errors that both goals came and made them lose the tie.
While stressing that the pattern he used cannot be blamed for the defeat, Rohr insisted that 3-5-2 is not the best formation against a team like Croatia, but hinted that he could opt for it in Friday’s crucial battle with Iceland.
Rohr expatiated: “Each game is different. We know we can play with three centre backs but it was not a good day to do that.
“We played with four defenders because there were three Croatian strikers who are very strong.
“I was satisfied with the organisation of the team but what we missed in the game is being professional from set pieces.
“Our system was okay, we cannot play with three (at the back) when there is only one centre forward.
“We didn’t concede in normal play, we conceded only two goals from set pieces. This is not a question of tactics or system.”
