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Éderson: The Relentless Brazilian Workhorse Who’s Reinvigorating Atalanta’s MIdfield
At 25 years of age, Éderson José dos Santos Lourenço da Silva has already plied his trade on three different continents, represented the Brazil national team in a major tournament, and led Atalanta to their first major trophy in 61 years. And today, he’s emerging as an integral part of an Atalanta side that continues…
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Manuel Locatelli Getting Back to His Best for Thiago Motta’s Juventus
Juventus faced off against Milan on Saturday, January 18, with the hosts featuring two ex-Milan players in their starting line-up: Pierre Kalulu excelled in defense alongside Federico Gatti, whilst Manuel Locatelli captained the side and ran the show in central midfield, winning seven out of seven duels and completing 12 out fo 15 long balls.…
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Santiago Castro: The Heir to Joshua Zirkzee’s Throne at Bologna
For a club of Bologna’s stature, success usually means a fresh start. Returning to Europe’s elite competition after six decades of absence wasn’t enough to keep the mastermind behind it all, Thiago Motta. They also had to replace record signings Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee at either end of the pitch. As it stands,…
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Assane Diao: Analyzing Como’s New Signing
With Como just barely hovering above the relegation zone they have decided to spend big this winter to aid the legendary player Cesc Fábreagas, now manager at the Italian club. One of the players on whom they have splashed the cash is 19-year-old Assane Diao who has lacked continuity at Real Betis ever since he…
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Riccardo Orsolini: Bologna’s New Attacking Talisman
After a season that saw them finish fifth in the Serie A table and return to the UEFA Champions League after six decades, it was always evident that Bologna were going to be picked apart. Joshua Zirkzee headed to Manchester United, Riccardo Calafiori moved to Arsenal, whilst their manager Thiago Motta took his talents to…
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Christian Pulisic: The American Talisman Leading Milan to Glory
Christian Pulisic was 17 years old when he made his professional debut for Borussia Dortmund. He was 20 when he became the most expensive American soccer player of all time, joining Chelsea for an estimated £58 million. He was 24 when he made his World Cup debut, earning two Man of the Match awards and…
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Amir Richardson: Fiorentina’s New Midfield Metronome
There are few things more exciting in football than seeing a footballer with a unique profile. Imagine a lanky, press resistant, left-footed midfielder standing at 6’6, with excellent technical ability and close control, a profile so rare you have to witness it to believe it. Yet, out of France where midfielders abound, emerged a…
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Jacopo Fazzini: Empoli’s Hidden Gem
Club: Empoli Nationality: Italy Position(s): CM, AM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 5’10”/178cm Age: 21 Strengths: agility, dribbling, passing variance, duels, defensive work-rate, press resistance, athleticism Areas of Development: application, strength It seems like every year, there’s a new interior midfielder who’s leaving one of Serie A’s smaller teams and taking his talents to one…
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Yacine Adli Finding a New Lease on Life at Fiorentina
From Mike Maignan to Mattèo Guendouzi to Adrien Rabiot, we’ve seen quite a few players go from developing in Paris Saint-Germain’s academy to excelling in the Italian top-flight, and the latest player to make the jump and excel in Serie A is Yacine Adli. Born in the Parisian suburb of Vitry-sur-Seine to Algerian parents,…
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Nicolo Rovella: The Regista Turned Destroyer
All of the visuals in this article were made with the usage of Once Video Analyzer Elite. Download Once Sport here and use our discount code BTL10 to get an extra 10% discount off your purchase! The importance placed on the defensive midfield position has arguably never been higher. The role’s most outstanding player, Rodri, won…
