Analysis on Riccardo Calafiori: Profile, key attributes, impacts on team tactics and more

Riccardo Calafiori is a very interesting player and has broken out on to the scene this season. He broke out for Bologna earning a start in all 3 of the Euro group stage games. Calafiori has impressed more finally getting the worldwide spotlight he deserves. Now I am going to break down his playing style.

Basic Info

Riccardo Calafiori stands at the height 6 foot 2. Calafiori is also a left footed centre back and also a versatile player that can play in a 3 or 4 back. He has also showed the profile of a player that could be used as a wing back in the future. Calafiori is only 22 so has time to reach this potential. He is valued at 30 million euros by Transfermarkt.

Key Attributes

Calafiori has proved to be a versatile player who has can play anywhere in the backline. He has also shown that he has an attacking quality especially when he assisted Zaccagni goal vs Croatia on Euro matchday 3. This is shown how he is the 96 percentiles for centre backs in assists and 97th for shot creation when compared to other centre backs. As well as 92nd for successful take-ons.

Calafiori reads the game well and with his heightened technical ability for a central defender always picks out the right pass. Compared to all centre backs in progressive passes he is in the 88th percentile tile. He has an 89% pass success rate.

He has also shown defensive class whenever he plays. Calafiori is in the 96th percentile in the interceptions for any centre back with 2 per 90. He is in the 74th for tackles with 1.8 per 90. All these stats are powered by Opta and from the Football reference sight.

Impact on team tactics

He has been used as key in Bolognas build up frequently pushing into midfield to help create chances. Calafiori could hopefully use these skills to do the same as Juventus. This will also be helped by Andrea Cambiaso who is linked to move to left back. These two could use each other especially since Cambiaso is a left footer.

On the defensive side of the ball, he has proved to be capable in a low block, mid-block. In a low block he holds his shape well and doesn’t press an attack to high. And on the counter, he can press and overlap on the left-hand side with his wingers.

Meanwhile in a midblock he can play the right passes. He also manages to hold his composure and not press too hard to so he doesn’t leave the rest of the defence vulnerable.  He can also adapt between zonal and man marking.

Player comparison

He has shown his technically and defensive level Calafiori is elite. Too a sense that matches a young Paolo Maldini in the way he can move to the left side. He is nowhere near his quality yet, but he shows no sign of stopping. And we never know what the future holds.