Herediano are enjoying life at the moment.
They sit atop the Costa Rican Primera División Clausura and are through to the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, where they are due to face Mexican side Pachuca.
El Team are a major force on the domestic stage, with 29 league titles to their name, and they are also well-known for producing some of Costa Rica’s most famous players.
Former Man City and West Ham striker Paulo Wanchope began his professional career at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero.
More recently, Herediano academy graduate and Costa Rican international Jewison Bennette signed for Championship side Sunderland in 2022.
Current manager Héctor Altamirano has been in charge since the turn of the year, having inherited a squad brimming with experience and potential.
The club is well-versed in bringing through its young players and giving them first-team experience, and this season is no different.
Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, 18-year-old forward Andy Rojas has stood out, putting in some impressive performances and cementing himself as a future star of Costa Rican football.
This tactical analysis will take the form of a Andy Rojas scout report where we analyse the key aspects of Andy Rojas’ style of play and what he brings to Herediano’s tactics.
Using data and in-game analysis, we will showcase exactly why we believe he could be the next big star for Costa Rica.
Andy Rojas Data analysis
To begin this scout report, let’s form an overview of what kind of player Andy Rojas is, and we can use the above pizza charts to allow us to do this.
The charts compare the Herediano forward to fellow forwards in Tier 6 (which is where the Costa Rican Primera División ranks in the TFA tier system).
Moreover, in Figure 1.2, we can see how Rojas compares to players in his position from one tier below and one tier above.
The 18-year-old is primarily a centre forward but can also play on either wing or as a number ten.
Throughout the season, he has been utilised in all these roles but most often on the left wing in a 4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1 system.
Our eyes can be immediately drawn to how highly Rojas ranks in terms of dribbles per 90.
This suggests that he is a player who likes to run at his opponent, perhaps isolating them in 1v1 situations.
This could also indicate that Rojas is the player Herediano look to carry them up the pitch during the transition from defence to attack.
Furthermore, we can see that Rojas is very accurate with his passing in addition to playing a high number of progressive passes per 90, suggesting that Rojas is a proactive player capable of significantly advancing his team forward.
Additionally, we can see how well he performs in defensive duels per 90, indicating that he is a player who enjoys a battle and is willing to put in the work for his team.
A commanding presence in possession
The pizza chart showed us that Rojas ranked highly in the number of dribbles per 90.
The above data viz allows us to delve a little further and understand that he averages 6.4 per 90 with a success percentage of 45.7.
We can see that compared to fellow centre forwards; the Herediano man averages the most dribbles per 90.
This is not entirely surprising, given how much time he has spent playing out wide this season.
This data visualisation shows that Rojas has made 66 carries into the penalty area this season.
His ability to run at opponents, as indicated by his high dribbles per 90 ratio, is a notable asset for the team.
This not only reflects Rojas’s individual capability but also hints at his role within the team’s tactical approach.
Having a forward, such as Rojas, who excels at dribbling and taking on opponents, injects a dynamic element into the team’s attacking play, particularly during transitions from defence to attack.
Rojas’s propensity to carry the ball forward can disrupt the opposition’s defensive shape and create numerical overloads in key areas.
In this instance, a long pass lands at the feet of Andy Rojas, who displays an excellent first touch to bring the ball under control.
As the opposition defender steps out to put him under pressure, Rojas calmly manipulates the ball to evade his challenge and carry the ball into the space ahead.
His ability to run at opponents in 1v1 situations adds unpredictability to Herediano’s attacking movements.
Defenders are forced to make split-second decisions on how to engage with Rojas, often leading to defensive instability and openings for his teammates to exploit.
Moreover, Rojas is speedy and agile.
We can see here that Herediano’s opponents are chasing a late equaliser and have committed many players forward.
When Herediano regains possession, they launch the ball upfield for Rojas to chase.
Here, he uses his speed to reach the ball first and brings it under his control.
Then Rojas uses his agility to weave away from the defender, using some stepovers to create a little extra space for himself.
He then carries the ball into the box and unleashes a low drive beyond the goalkeeper.
The 18-year-old Costa Rican provides Herediano with the ability to unsettle defences, create scoring opportunities, and inject positive momentum into the team’s play.
His ability to dribble past opponents is a strategic advantage that enhances Herediano’s overall attacking effectiveness.
This data visual shows us how Rojas performs in terms of touches in the opposition box and received passes per 90.
Essentially, this allows us to correlate the Herediano striker’s involvement in the team’s passing game with his presence in the opponent’s box.
He performs above average in both metrics, averaging 3.38 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 and 15.55 received passes per 90.
Primarily, his above-average involvement in Herediano’s passing game indicates a willingness to participate in the build-up play and facilitate ball movement across the pitch.
Rather than solely relying on receiving passes in advanced positions, Rojas actively seeks to link up with teammates and provide options for ball circulation.
When deployed on the left, Rojas mostly looks to cut inside onto his favoured right foot.
Here, we can see that after making a progressive run and carrying the ball down the left, Rojas plays a pass to his teammate, who executes a first-time shot at goal.
His ability to play these progressive passes amplifies the team’s attacking potential by bypassing midfield lines and directly involving advanced players in goal-scoring opportunities.
Rojas possesses the ability to break through compact defensive setups and not only create chances for himself but also for his teammates, as he can consistently deliver key passes into dangerous areas in and around the penalty box.
The above data visual shows us the progressive actions of Andy Rojas per 90.
We can see that he averages 2.97 progressive passes per 90 and 1.55 progressive runs per 90, placing him well above average in both metrics.
Due to the threat he poses, opposition defenders need to constantly monitor the Herediano forward’s movements and passing options, which can create defensive disorganisation.
Rojas can use his progressive actions to enhance the team’s attacking fluidity and tactical versatility.
This not only facilitates his team’s ability to advance up the pitch and create goal-scoring opportunities but also adds layers of unpredictability and complexity to their offensive play.
A goalscorer
Of course, we must look at how the 18-year-old fares as a goalscorer; after all, as a centre forward, this is one of his primary tasks on the field.
As per the data viz above, Rojas has contributed nine goals to the Herediano cause so far this season.
These goals have come from an xG of 7.17, showing that Rojas is capable of scoring lower percentage opportunities.
This can also reflect Rojas’s tactical understanding.
By consistently ensuring he gets himself into goal-scoring positions and then capitalises on the scoring opportunities, he demonstrates an acute sense of anticipation and positional awareness, allowing him to exploit defensive vulnerabilities and capitalise on the openings created by his teammates.
Furthermore, we can see here that Rojas averages 2.29 shots per 90, with 52% being classed as on target, performing above average in both metrics.
From this, we can infer that Rojas provides a potent attacking threat with a propensity for getting into potential goal-scoring positions.
Excelling in the number of shots he takes per 90 showcases Rojas’s assertiveness and willingness to take on shooting opportunities whenever they arise.
By frequently getting into positions to shoot, he demonstrates an attacking mindset and a desire to contribute to the team’s offensive output.
Here, for example, he hits a powerful drive through a crowd of players from the edge of the area.
Additionally, maintaining a high shots-on-target percentage reflects how accurate and precise Rojas is in front of goal.
Consistently hitting the target with his shots shows that he has a good level of technical proficiency and composure under pressure, as well as an understanding of how to place the ball in areas that trouble the goalkeeper.
Consequently, Andy Rojas provides Herediano with a heightened attacking threat that can disrupt the opponent’s defensive shape, create space for other attacking teammates, and ultimately lead to more goals and positive team results.
In this example, we can see Rojas anticipate the play and make a run ahead of the opposition defender.
This ensures that he is in an optimal position to turn the ball into the goal.
The Costa Rican forward also impresses regarding the timing of his runs into the box.
He often waits until the last second before engaging in a sudden burst of acceleration to take him in front of the opposition defender.
This means that by the time the defender reacts, it is too late.
It is important to recognise that Herediano’s attacking movement is very fluid to draw their opponents out of position.
In this scenario, Rojas is playing as the attacking midfielder.
We can see that the left winger cuts across from the wing and travels to the other side of the pitch, and the centre forward also runs towards the right.
This enables Rojas to make a free run into the penalty area, where the full-back can find him via a lofted pass.
Andy Rojas is a fantastic attacking outlet for Herediano.
Still, we have to acknowledge that this is partly due to the fluidity of the attacking unit in addition to the off-the-ball runs made by teammates.
A defensive team player
The pizza charts at the beginning indicated that Rojas performed well in terms of his defensive duels.
This data visual confirms that statement, demonstrating that he averages 6.86 per 90, with a win percentage of 62%.
This shows the young forward’s commitment to pressing and winning back possession higher up the pitch.
By engaging in defensive duels and successfully dispossessing opponents, he limits the opposition’s build-up play and regains possession for Herediano.
With a PPDA of 7.74, Herediano tend to allow their opponents the opportunity to pass the ball out from defence and then look to initiate pressure to prevent them from playing into midfield.
This data visual shows us that Herediano have made 656 counterpressing recoveries this season; this is a ball recovery within five seconds of losing possession.
425 are considered to be high regains, so they occurred in the attacking third.
Additionally, 165 were classed as dangerous, meaning they led to a Herediano shot within 20 seconds of them recovering possession.
Here, we can see the press in action.
The central striker blocks the passing lane back to the goalkeeper and can easily step across to intercept a pass back to the defender.
Rojas can close down the other central defender while his teammate puts the ball carrier under significant pressure.
The pressure forces a turnover, and Herediano is left with a 4v3 situation in the attacking third.
As a result, they quickly counterattack and easily find the back of the net.
Additionally, when playing against a stronger opponent, Herediano prefer to sit in their defensive shape and invite pressure onto them in order to spring counterattacks from deeper areas.
In the defensive phase, they primarily adopt a 5-4-1 shape, as shown here.
This provides a solid structure, as the five defenders form a solid defensive line that is difficult for the opposition to breach.
Moreover, this can make it challenging for opponents to find space in dangerous areas, therefore reducing the likelihood of conceding goals.
Furthermore, the shape facilitates a low-block defensive strategy, where they sit deep in their own half and remain compact to deny space behind the defensive line, as we can see here.
We can see Rojas fulfils his defensive duties and ensures that he is in position within the structure.
He shows his defensive awareness and ability to read the game effectively.
In this case, he can easily cover the player out wide should the opposition look to facilitate a switch of play.
Conclusion
This Andy Rojas scout report has highlighted what makes 18-year-old Andy Rojas such an exciting prospect.
His youthful energy, combined with an impressive array of skills, makes him a standout prospect on the pitch.
Notably, Rojas possesses a remarkable dynamism in possession, often conjuring opportunities seemingly out of thin air.
The 18-year-old plays with confidence beyond his years, has a wonderful technical skillset, and demonstrates an astute level of tactical intelligence, which sets him apart from his peers.
It’s impossible not to be captivated by the burgeoning talent of Andy Rojas.
With each match, he continues to affirm his status as a rising star of Costa Rican football.
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