Mid-Block Mastery: CA Huracán Title Chasing Defensive Tactics – Scout Report

Argentina’s Primera División is heading into the latter stages of the second phase of the 2024 campaign, with just five points separating first and sixth.

Joint-league leaders CA Huracán boast the division’s best defensive record in the second phase, letting in just four goals in 12 games — they are also undefeated in those 12 games, and that defensive record is largely to thank for it.

Frank Darío Kudelka, who is in his third spell in charge of the club, would likely hope for a better attacking record from his team, who have scored just 12 goals in the 12 second-phase games, but will be more than satisfied with the performance at the back.

The first phase of the season was a slightly different story for Huracán in terms of their league position, as they finished ninth in Group A.

Goalscoring was a problem in that phase, too, with 12 goals in 14 games.

However, their defensive record in the first phase was also their biggest strength.

They conceded 12 in 14, the third-best record in their group.

So, clearly, their defensive record in this second phase is no fluke—and it is currently fueling a charge for the top spot.

In this Huracán scout report, we will provide a tactical analysis of Huracán’s tactics out-of-possession as we look to uncover the secrets behind their impressive defensive output, which has propelled them into the title race.

Huracán Defensive Formation  Mid block With Midfield Aggression

Data and performance tell us that one key element in Huracán’s defensive tactics is a balance between pressing and sitting off.

With a challenge intensity of 6.4 and a PPDA register of 8.37 (both stats around the average mark in comparison to all 27 other teams in the league in the second phase), we know that they aren’t the type to sit deep and invite pressure into their own final third.

But those numbers also tell us that they aren’t the most aggressive team in Argentina—clearly, the balance they have struck is working.

This visual gives us an insight into how Huracán operate in the opposition half when they don’t have possession.

To provide context, the Primera División’s most aggressive team (according to PPDA and challenge intensity) is River Plate, and so far this season, they’ve made 199 counterpressing recoveries, 118 high regains, and 43 dangerous recoveries, so Huracán really can offer that off-the-ball danger in the opposition half.

So