Champions Elect? The Key Factors Behind Vélez Sarsfield’s Title Charge

This consistency of approach not only aids player development, but eases the transition through the youth ranks up to first team level. 

The technical qualities from the academy produce a side comfortable on the ball but Vélez’s first team are not necessarily a team looking to control the game in possession. Ranked 12th in the LPF for possession with 51.4%, the league leaders are quick to move forward in the transitions with the aim of getting the ball to the four attacking players.

The full backs push high up the pitch and provide width, centre backs look to filter the ball forward while the central midfield holds things together and balances the team. A position of vital importance and one which Vélez look to use well rounded profiles - players who can win the ball, advance possession and break forward. 

What this achieves is getting the ball into the forward players quickly and ideally in space, or with space to attack behind the opposition defence. A floating number 10 in Claudio Aquino looking to orchestrate and pacy wide players who can go either side of the full-back, attacking the penalty box or on the outside as traditional wingers. 

Free-flowing Vélez have scored 30 goals so far, the best attack in the LPF, and well above the league average of 17.4. Aquino’s ball-striking sees Vélez above average for goals from long shots and, unsurprisingly, they perform well above the league average for goals from counter-attacks.

The four parts to the attack work in harmony and create plenty of opportunities: Braian Romero, the LPF’s leading scorer with 10 goals, leading the line; playmaker Claudio Aquino with 7 goals and 3 assists; and winger Francisco Pizzini with a league high 5 assists plus 4 goals.

All three, above the age of 30, are vastly experienced and so arguably the surprise has been 20-year-old Thiago Fernández, who has burst into the side from the academy.

After only making his senior debut in April of 2023, Fernández proved his worth over the first half of the year with Vélez reaching the final of the Copa de la Liga and the exciting, pacy wide player has continued that form into the league. Four goals and four assists, the most recent coming late in the decisive 1-0 win over Racing Club last time out, have been vital to Vélez sitting pretty at the top. 

Fernández’s pace is evidently a huge asset and it comes as no surprise to see him and teammate Francisco Pizzini as the two LPF players completing the most progressive runs. These runs are the outlet for Vélez and make them such a dangerous side in transition. 

Yet Fernández is far more than just a speed merchant. His eye for and weight of pass marks him out above many other young players that rely solely on their pace. 4 assists puts him second across the league, 2 second assists and 10 key passes all rank highly and puts Fernández above all other under-23 players.

Part of that is down to his vision but equally Fernández creates space and time for himself to make those passes thanks to his close control and ability to beat his man. As a right-footer playing off the left, Fernández is comfortable going either side of the full-back and has a terrific change of pace and direction. 

This variety to go either way, to change pace, to look behind or to come short and receive to feet on the turn creates hesitancy in opposition full-backs. 4.96 dribbles per 90 illustrates this and his output in terms of shots and chances created show there is an ever improving end-product to his game. 

It is an area in which there is still plenty of room for development too. 4 goals so far is a decent return for a young winger but Fernández’s shooting suggests there is more to come. Evidently he can create chances for himself coming off the wing and he has also exhibited a coolness when making late runs into the 18-yard box to finish off cutbacks, yet his first ever goal - a 30-yard free kick against Arsenal in the cup - hints that this could be just the beginning. 

However much the attack has impressed for Vélez, it would be wrong not to also highlight the defensive work of Gustavo Quinteros’ side. Only second-placed Huracán have conceded fewer goals than the league leaders and none have kept more clean sheets (11 from 17 games played).

Much of that owes to the collective, of course, but another academy product has played a central role to that defensive success. Valentín Gómez was all but gone in the transfer window, with the City Group agreeing a deal which would have seen him return to Argentina on loan with River Plate, only for an old knee injury flagged during his medical in Palermo putting an end to the transfer.

Palermo’s loss has certainly been Vélez’s gain. The left-footed centre back has played almost every game since becoming available once again after that failed move and has proved why the City Group were interested in the first place. 

A vastly experienced 21-year-old of almost 100 club appearances already, Gómez made his debut at the start of 2022 and within months was part of a Vélez side which made a run all the way to the semifinals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Not the tallest at a fraction under six-foot, Gómez makes up for his lack of physical presence with his anticipation. Quick to read danger, the defender looks to step in and his average of 4.92 interceptions per 90 reflects this. 

Despite his build, Gómez is deceptively good in the air and still displays strength in his defensive duels using his body well, with an impressive win percentage of over 76%. 

Though it is probably his comfort on the ball which most catches the eye and, whether stepping in to win possession or receiving it from a teammate, Gómez is unflustered and is always looking to play forward. Averaging 18.47 forward passes per 90, the centre back breaks the lines and aids Vélez in getting the ball into midfield. 

His 83.9% pass completion evidence of his passing ability, even if his long passing remains inconsistent, Gómez is also capable of carrying the ball, demonstrating good footwork when under pressure. 

Time will tell whether or not Vélez will go on to lift their first title in over a decade, but what is clear is the pattern of cashing in on academy talents shows no sign of stopping. Boca Juniors have already added Gómez to their list for the end of the year and Fernández will no doubt draw attention from further afield. What Vélez have already proved is that if they are to leave, their academy can be relied on to find replacements. 

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