Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson is confident he has found the perfect way to use Mary Fowler at the Paris Olympics

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has analysed four months worth of footage to find the best use for his biggest weapon against Germany, that player being Mary Fowler.

Mary Fowler is generational talent – her skill, speed and football brain makes her a triple threat – but Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has struggled to get the most out of the star.

Until now. After spending countless hours combing through footage of Fowler playing, he has her pegged as a No. 10.

Just in time for the Matildas opening Olympic Games clash with powerhouse nation Germany.

Fowler, 21, made her debut for the national team in 2018 but had made fewer than five appearances before the Tokyo Olympics, where she was used off the bench.

Three years later Fowler has played more than 50 international matches and is a regular starter at English powerhouse club Manchester City.

While she was a key player at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Fowler’s role in the team has been fluid, playing a range of positions from winger, attacking midfielder, holding midfielder and striker.

But Gustavsson knew he wasn’t getting the best out of Fowler.

There were matches, particularly when she played on the wing or out wide, Fowler looked completely lost. Forcing her away from the ball took her out of the game.

Fowler has previously said she didn’t mind where she played, that her job as a player was to do her best to do what the coach thought was best for the team.

Matildas training at State Roger Couderc in Marseille. Picture: Michael Klein

Gustavsson said it was Fowler’s mindset that gave her the edge over her opponents.

“She’s very mature on that and it’s a privilege to work with such a young player in age but such a mature player in personality,” he said.

Gustavsson and his coaching staff have spent a month analysing every one of Fowler’s games for country and club to find when she excels.

“I feel that when Mary is included in the game a lot she is brilliant,” he said. “When she is not, it is difficult to be brilliant because she’s not on the ball as much as she should be.

“Our job is to see how can we create space for Mary. How can we activate and find her?”

That’s how the coach believed found the solution and play right in the middle of the football field.

It will allow her to work with Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross, the freedom to link up with attackers Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Michelle Heyman or Cortnee Vine and the space to score the banging goals she’s known for.

Fowler has to fire if the Matildas are to stand a chance against their group stage opponents Germany, the US and Zambia.

Gustavsson has watched copious amounts of footage to come up with the perfect plan for Fowler. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Gustavsson said whole pre-Games training sessions were dedicated to creating space for Fowler and working on the adjusted formation.

“This will be a different tournament for her when she comes in,” he said.

“She came in as a young player where all the minutes was a bonus, there was no pressure, the message was just go and be you.”

Gustavsson said his message to the star was the unchanged.

“I’m using the exact same words that we used in Tokyo – be you, be Mary,” he said.

“So even if she’s more experienced, even if she’s more of a starter now than before, and some people say she’s more in the spotlight, there’s pressure on her now, but there is no more pressure on Mary.

“Mary should just be Mary.

“That’s the only pressure that is on her ever – just be you, play you, because that is when Mary is at her best.”

The Matildas will play Germany at Stade de Marseille, on Friday at 3am (AEST).

Originally published as Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson is confident he has found the perfect way to use Mary Fowler at the Paris Olympics