Paraguay qualified for the World Cup by emphasizing defensive strength and collective intensity after years of unsuccessful possession attempts. Gustavo Alfaro arrived in August 2024 with a mandate of “Paraguayan DNA, intensity and clean sheets,” and largely kept a 4-4-2 formation, switching to a back five only versus Ecuador and Bolivia at high altitude. After replacing Daniel Garnero following a poor Copa America, Paraguay looked different in Alfaro’s first match away at Uruguay in Montevideo and then won at home against Brazil and Argentina. During qualifying, Paraguay lost only once away to Brazil and secured draws in Bolivia (4,100m), Ecuador (2,800m), and Barranquilla versus Colombia, with qualification sealed by a tense 0-0 home draw against Ecuador.
"Gustavo Alfaro arrived with a clear message from day one: Paraguayan DNA, intensity and clean sheets. That's what will take us to the World Cup. He was not wrong."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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