When Alberto Zaccheroni was appointed as Japan coach after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it signified the nation’s lofty ambitions.
Under the guidance of former coach, Takeshi Okada, the Samurai Blue had surpassed most people’s expectations by reaching the last-16 in South Africa before narrowly succumbing to Paraguay in a penalty shoot-out.
But the Japanese Football Association (JFA) was convinced that a changing of the guard was necessary to continue Japan’s emergence as a force in international football. They turned to a serene Italian with a proven track record in Europe and a reputation as an astute tactician.
Zaccheroni’s coaching reputation was forged in Italy during his tenures at Udinese and AC Milan. Having guided the Zebrette to a third place finish and UEFA Cup qualification during the 1997-98 season, more success followed after he led the Milanese giants to the 1999 Serie A title in his debut season. Zaccheroni became renowned for his tactical flexibility and the 3-4-3 formation he employed during his spell at the Rossoneri became a trademark of his success.
Despite less prosperous stints at Juventus, Inter, Torino and Lazio, the Italian remained highly thought of by the JFA and he arrived as head coach of Japan with a burden of expectation. But the coach from Emilia Romagna got off to a spectacular start, announcing himself to the Japanese public with a 1-0 friendly win over Argentina.
The Japanese-Italian revolution had begun and Zaccheroni went unbeaten in his first 16 games, including victory at the 2011 Asia Cup. A comfortable World Cup qualifying campaign followed and Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a 1-1 draw against Australia last June.
The former AC Milan tactician achieved this instant success by molding a new identity for the Asian champions. Zaccheroni favours a 4-2-3-1 formation that utilizes his side’s attacking talent. The 61-year-old was aware that his squad didn’t possess the physical attributes of others and thus carved out a style that would negate this potential weakness. He encourages his players to move the ball quickly, press high-up the pitch and put their opponents under immediate pressure to regain the ball once it is lost. These high-tempo tactics resemble those of successful European teams in recent years, such as Borussia Dortmund’s ‘gegenpressing’ or Barcelona’s counter-press system.
The 4-2-3-1 formation also adds fluidity to Japan’s front four. Zaccheroni allows his attacking triumvirate of Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki to roam behind the front-man. Their craft and movement is crucial to Japan’s attacking potency. This also provides space for rampaging full-backs, Yuto Nagatomo and Atsuto Uchida, who provide width if Honda and Kagawa drift infield. However this free-flowing style also comes with its drawbacks.
Playing a high intensity, attacking style often leaves the full-backs and front players high up the pitch and this can expose gaping holes. In order to combat this, Zaccheroni has used defence-minded players – two from Makoto Hasebe, Hotaru Yamaguchi or Yasuhito Endo – to sit at the base of his midfield and protect his back four.
This back-four has also been a cause for concern, especially given that Zaccheroni, like many Italian coaches, prides himself on defensive fortitude as well as attacking enterprise. While Southampton’s Maya Yoshida has proved a reliable presence at centre-back he is often left exposed and Zaccheroni has at times struggled to find him a consistent partner.
As such, while the Italian tactician has largely enjoyed a successful spell at the Asian champions, it hasn’t all been plane sailing. Over the next week at the World Cup in Brazil, his resolve and tactical nous will be tested to the limit.
Japan made an enterprising start to their opening Group C game against the Ivory Coast after they took the lead in the first-half through Honda. But the Samurai blue withered towards the closing stages of the game, exposing their aforementioned weaknesses and two second-half strikes in quick succession gave the Ivory Coast a 2-1 victory. There were some positives for Zaccheroni, especially in the first-half when his sides pressing stifled their opposition and Japan’s creative players were able to make inroads.
However, the warning signs were there for all to see during Japan’s 2013 Confederations Cup Campaign. They showed glimpses of their high energy and aesthetically pleasing style but their performances did not last the duration in the Brazilian humidity and heat. The same can be said against the Ivory Coast last Saturday, leaving Zaccheroni to lament his side’s passive approach which led them to surrender their initiative.
“In general we started well and played dynamically in the opening stages,” the 61-year-old told reporters after the game.
“But then we let them attack us when we should have played more aggressively. We gave their players too much space and didn’t play well defensively or offensively.”
Some may blame Zaccheroni for not addressing this problem. However even Japan’s reliable possession game abandoned them against Les Elephants and in truth, Zaccheroni’s men were beaten by a side who were more powerful, more experienced and possessed some world class talent. The result has threatened to cast a shadow over Japan’s rising sun and Zaccheroni now faces his biggest challenge yet as their coach.
Qualifying through the group will be an uphill struggle and the Italian must find a way to boost morale ahead of their game against Greece on Thursday. But all is not lost and if Japan can play to their usual lofty standards, they still have a chance. It won’t be easy and they will require a magisterial performance against an impressive looking Colombia side in their last group game.
Nevertheless, with the experienced Italian at the helm, hope springs eternal. A victory against Greece is imperative. Then it will be down to the tactical know-how of Zaccheroni to spring a game plan that earns his side the result they require to progress against Colombia. If Zaccheroni engineers this success then the Italian will be one step closer to leading his Samurai’s into a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history.
Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter: @LH_Ramon25
