© Breaking The Lines 2017-2021. All Rights Reserved.

Riccardo Calafiori: Bologna’s Defensive Dynamo

June 16, 2024
Player Analysis, Serie A Analysis

Born and raised in Rome, Riccardo Calafiori started out in the youth academy of AS Roma, where he developed his skills and was a promising left-back prospect. Despite a significant knee injury early in his career, Calafiori’s determination and hard work saw him make a remarkable comeback. He made his professional debut for AS Roma in 2020, quickly proving his worth with mature performances that belied his young age.

 

“Riccardo is a player with immense potential. Despite his young age, he has shown great maturity and resilience, especially after coming back from a serious injury,” said former AS Roma manager Paulo Fonseca.

 

 

In the need for regular first-team football, Calafiori was loaned to Genoa in January 2022. During his stint with Genoa, he gained valuable experience in Serie A, showcasing his physical and tactical skill. Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer to FC Basel in the summer of 2022 marked a new and exciting chapter in his career. Calafiori brought with him a good amount of experience from Italy’s Serie A.

 

The young Italian defender quickly adapted to his new surroundings, showcasing his versatility as both a solid defender and an attacking threat down the left flank. Under Basel manager Heiko Vogel, Calafiori’s development continued. Vogel’s tactics and his trust in young players provided Calafiori with the ideal environment to hone his skills further and gain valuable international experience. His contributions to the team were immediate and impactful, as he became a regular starter and a key component of Basel’s defensive and offensive plays.

 

In the 2022-23 season, he scored 2 goals and contributed 5 assists. Surprisingly, he also completed 19 dribbles. His defensive game was great, winning 111 duels, 24 aerial duels and tackles each, recovering the ball 140 times, and completing 38 interceptions in 23 games. His performances caught the eye of several clubs, and he returned to Roma at the end of the loan spell.

 

“Riccardo has been a fantastic professional during his time with us. His dedication and hard work have been evident both on and off the pitch. While we are sad to see him go, we understand his desire to take on new challenges in Serie A with Bologna. We wish him all the best and believe he has a bright future ahead of him,” said the Basel manager Heiko Vogel on Calafiori’s departure.

 

 

In the summer of 2023, Calafiori made his move back to Serie A with a Bologna side managed by Thiago Motta. In Motta’s system, Calafiori played on the left side of a three-man defence. He had an immense physical presence: tall, strong, and a good reader of the game. He was very calm and composed in defence even when under pressure.

 

As a defender, he was great, but what made him stand out was his ability on the ball. Calafiori had a great range of passing and showcased various styles of passing. This led to him completing 1600 passes, 76 accurate long balls, creating 17 chances, and getting 5 assists. He also had impressive ball progression skills, taking on players in his own half and dribbling through them using his strength and speed.

 

This led to him completing 13 dribbles in the season. He could be considered a perfect hybrid of a wing-back, centre-back, and midfielder, making him an ideal defender in the modern game. Calafiori consistently put up good performances in the Bologna shirt, and one of them came against AS Roma. In the 14th minute of the game, Calafiori progressed the ball into the left channel and played a delightful chip, which El Azzouzi met with a stunning overhead kick.

 

Their second goal came in the 45th minute with Zirkzee finishing off a great attack. Azmoun forced the ball into goal to get one back for Roma, and Zirkzee set up Saelemaekers to get the third goal and win the game from a counterattack. Calafiori had a solid game, creating 2 chances, completing 5 headed and normal clearances each, and recovering the ball 4 times. Another instance of his class was observed in the 3-0 win against Salernitana, where a sublime long ball from him found Orsolini on the right, who scored a wonder goal to give Bologna the lead.

 

 

Calafiori’s standout game of the season would be the 3-3 draw against Juventus. Bologna won a corner early in the game. The corner was put into a dangerous place, and Juve failed to clear it twice, which led to the ball falling to Calafiori in the middle of the box. He slotted it into the top netting to earn his first goal of the season, giving Bologna an early lead in the second minute.

 

Bologna doubled their lead in no time from a header by Castro, assisted by Urbanski from the left flank cross. In the 53rd minute, Calafiori pressed and won the ball in the opponent’s half. He continued his run forward to find the ball at his feet inside the D, and he pulled off a striker-like finish, chipping the ball into the right corner around the keeper. While it was a great game for him, the end was disappointing, with Juve pulling off a late comeback to draw the game.

 

Riccardo Calafiori played a huge role in Bologna’s success, helping them finish 5th in the league and qualify for the Champions League next season. Reflecting on his style of play and aspirations, Calafiori said, “I love defending, but I also enjoy pushing forward and helping in attack. I always strive to improve and contribute to the team in any way I can.”

 

His impressive performances have many clubs in Europe looking at him, and he has also earned his call-up to the Italian national team for the Euros. “Calafiori is a remarkable young talent with immense potential. His ability to read the game, combined with his defensive solidity and offensive contributions, makes him a valuable asset for any team. He has a bright future ahead of him in Italian football,” said Italy’s National Team Coach, Luciano Spalletti.

 

 

Reflecting on his move to Bologna, Calafiori commented, “Moving to Bologna was a big step in my career. I wanted more regular first-team football, and Bologna gave me that opportunity. I’m grateful for the trust the club and the coach have shown in me.”

 

Calafiori’s journey from Rome to Genoa, then to Basel, and finally to Bologna showcases his determination and adaptability. His unique mix of defensive capabilities and attacking skills make him a very exciting prospect. Having a well rounded game in  the modern day puts him on the path to being a world class defender who could also grow to redefine the role. Calafiori being only 22 years old brings optimism to everyone who admires his ability and potential.

 

By: @TSpec1al

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images

EmailLinkedIn