Outfoxing Löw would (forever) vindicate Colombian ‘Mr Nobody’ Juan Carlos Osorio

Osorio’s first once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came in the winter of 2014, when his Atlético Nacional de Medellín took on River Plate for the Sudamericana Cup. He crafted sophisticate systems and strategies, deployed wing-backs, inverted wingers, deep-lying playmakers and false nines. He did everything possible over a chalkboard chasing international (and personal) glory.

But was ultimately outfoxed in Buenos Aires by Marcelo Gallardo’s simple plans: the magical left foot of Leonardo Pisculichi launching corner kicks and a couple of good headers by Gabriel Mercado and Germán Pezzella proved enough. River 2-0 Atlético Nacional. Final scoreline. Football had given Osorio a golden chance, and football itself snatched it away from him.

Three years later here is he again. In 2014, fellow Colombians received him as a courageous commander after a lost, but epic battle in a foreign field. Now, the massive camp of Mexicans opposing his tenure at their national team will have the pillory ready should his controversial systems and strategies backfire against Joachin Löw’s squad in Sochi for the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.

Just like they backfired in the Chile 7-0 Mexico during last year's Copa América Centenario.

His management has sourly divided Mexican football between those who defend his complex discourse (and therefore claim to understand it) against masses of uncultured fans and pundits; and those who attack that same discourse presenting it as all smoke and mirrors. The clash against the Germans, however, might unite both camps around a common understanding:

That, even considering missing names, the opposition boasts better players. And perhaps a better coach too (unless the scoreline says otherwise).

Football therefore has given Osorio a second once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Because, in football, when a decent side defeats stronger opposition all credit always goes down to dressing-room talk and chalkboard sketches. Defeating Germany at Osorio's eyes equals defeating Löw, the ultimate personification of a Mr Nobody turned into undisputed World Champion.

Osorio knows the only way to beat Löw is outfoxing him at his own game. But how does someone outfox an astute tactician who himself has in the past used false nines, classic nines, inverted wingers, deep-lying playmakers and all that stuff which is trendy and avant-garde and ultra-modern within the European circles?

Marcelo Gallardo showed him the way three years ago. The opposite to sophistication is sheer simplicity. Good defensive organization and less ambitious, but accurate passing. So far, nevertheless, simplicity happens to be a crossed-off word in the dictionary of this eccentric Colombian.

Make no mistake, the Mexico-Germany match is less about individual footballers than it is about decision-making and decision-makers. It is Osorio’s chance to get the international acclaim he's been after for so many years, as the other bench in Sochi will be occupied by international football's most modern tactician.

It's that chance to finally be Mr Juan Carlos Osorio: an internationally reputed football man.

@CesarKickoff