Italy and world-class defenders. It’s a story as outdated as the sport of soccer itself. And with good cause: the four-time World Cup-winning nation has produced a number of the greatest backline gamers ever. Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta is simply the newest proof of the decades-old custom.
Taking part in for Le Dea Scalvini has cast his popularity as top-of-the-line defenders in Serie A. It’s a exceptional achievement for a participant in simply 20 years. And as anticipated, his rise has been observed by prime golf equipment throughout Europe who’re occupied with securing his providers.
Scalvini’s rise additionally has come when the Italian nationwide soccer group want new gamers, particularly after their incapability to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
So, who’s Giorgio Scalvini, and the way good is he?
Giorgio Scalvini profile
Giorgio Scalvini was born on December 11, 2003, in Chiari commune, Lombardy province. Like many different gamers his age, the defender began his journey at a neighborhood membership, Palazzolo. Nevertheless, his profession solely took off when he was lastly accepted into Brescia.
This was the primary main transfer in his profession, as Brescia gave him an amazing youth system that allowed his expertise to blossom—enjoying for Brescia additionally put him on the radar of the highest golf equipment throughout Italy.
And in two years, he joined Atalanta in 2015. Scalvini joined Atalanta when the membership, beneath the charismatic President Antonio Percassi, was trying to construct a group that would problem the highest groups within the nation.
In reality, one yr after his becoming a member of, the membership completed fourth within the Serie A to earn a spot within the Europa League, and two years later, they completed third (their best-ever season in historical past) to earn a Champions League place.
Scalvini, on the identical time, was progressing at a fast charge as he excelled in any age group that he performed. His greatest second, although, got here in 2020 when he gained the Coppa Italia as part of the membership’s under-19 group.
This efficiency lastly bought him his first call-up to the senior aspect, although he didn’t get any minutes on the pitch. Nevertheless, at simply 16 years of age, the defender had managed to interrupt into the senior aspect, and it was solely a short while earlier than he was handed his debut within the 2020-21 season.
Giorgio Scalvini stats
By the tip of the 2020-21 season, it was clear that Scalvini was too good for the youth groups. Nevertheless, contemplating his younger age, supervisor Gian Piero Gasperini gave him restricted minutes throughout the season. He ended the season with 18 appearances and in addition bought his first senior group objective in opposition to Hella Verona.
Nevertheless, the primary time he got here to the fore was the 2022-23 season, the place he made the fifth-most interceptions within the league. His contribution was the most important cause Atalanta, as a group, additionally made probably the most interceptions (421) in your entire league.
This season, although, he has really introduced himself as turning into top-of-the-line centre-backs within the league. He leads the league with 44 interceptions however can also be ranked by worth because the second-best participant on the Defensive Aero metric, which measures a participant’s aerial prowess whereas defending the ball. One other proof of Scalvini’s aerial dominance is the 69 duels he has gained, the fourth-most for a participant within the league.
His defensive stats have improved in comparison with final season, which is regular for any participant who’s progressing at a fast tempo. Nevertheless, an attention-grabbing factor comes to note when analyzing Atalanta’s stats. Scalvini, who has been a defensive monster, has additionally made nice strides within the offensive metrics. He’s ranked because the fourth-best participant on the Anticipated Menace (xT) metric. What makes this extra spectacular is that he’s among the many prime 5 gamers within the group on each xT from passes and carries.
He additionally has made the third-most counter urgent actions. The advance within the attacking stats is a significant weapon in his arsenal as it can assist him to turn out to be a extra well-versed and all-rounded defender, a should in trendy soccer.
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Giorgio Scalvini fashion of play
Giorgio Scalvini, in the previous few seasons, has been a typical Italian defender who’s supreme however not often ventures ahead. Nevertheless, this has modified this season, with Scalvini being extra adventurous. All that is additionally all the way down to Gasperini’s techniques which is probably the most attacking within the Italian league.
His heatmap this season additionally exhibits him crossing the midway line extra and creating overloads on the opposition in partnership with Emil Holm. What works in Scalvini’s favour is his calmness on the ball. The defender is equally adept at passing and carrying the ball, making them top-of-the-line high-press-resistant defenders in Serie A.
So, on reflection, he’s a extremely succesful defender on the ball, and when he loses the ball, he is without doubt one of the greatest defenders in profitable it again.
Giorgio Scalvini potential
For a participant like Giorgio Scalvini, the primary problem now’s to turn out to be constant on a weekly foundation. He already has all of the attributes to turn out to be a world-class participant, however to achieve there, he has to take the following step: develop the mindset. Soccer is performed with each physique and thoughts. Scalvini has mastered the previous however now must grasp the latter.
Scalvini’s rise has additionally began to draw the curiosity of golf equipment from each in and outdoors Italy. The membership main the way in which is Manchester United, who desperately want a long-term place on the coronary heart of their defence.
Atalanta have demanded a payment in extra of £50 million, which, contemplating his expertise and the extremely inflated market, is sort of a steal. Scalvini’s main focus is now to make sure his group finishes the season on a excessive and guarantee he will get his dream transfer in the summertime.
