Riccardo Calafiori – Player Scouting Report

An extensive scouting report on Riccardo Calafiori’s profile and how he’s redefining the role of a modern day hybrid

Bologna’s recent surge to success, guiding them to Champions League qualifications and playing eye pleasing football under Thiago Motta’s tactical eyes has surprised many. One integral member in this exquisite set of talents is the Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori redefines the art of defending with his simple yet subtle style of approach on the pitch. His versatility, impressive agility and incomparable “aura” he brings to a side is a dream to many upcoming CB’s. At only 22, he’s performing at the highest level for Italy in the Euro 24’

Often tucking in as the LCB under Motta at Bologna last season, he featured comfortably at LB too. May it be defensively showcasing his skills or partaking as an offensive threat by making overlapping/underlapping runs, Calafiori is a real threat. Came majorly into the limelight during the Euros for Italy under Spalletti earlier this month

Firstly, let’s look at his player profile:
Age: 22
Club: Bologna

Position: CB/LB
Foot: Left
Nationality: Italian
Value: €30M
Height: 6’2ft
Avg SofaScore rating: 7.10

Strengths: Anticipation, Tackling, Crossing, Spatial Awareness, Ball Carrying
Weaknesses: Temperament

Playstyle Analysis:

Bologna’s setup under Motta focuses on control and domination with the ball. In the build up phase, Calafiori portrays calmness and composure in picking the right pass. Apart from that, he utilises his impressive ball carrying ability in taking on multiple players from the backline.

His job to facilitate play from the back by being the first phase progressor needs him to showcase his elite passing accuracy and risk taking factor involved in playing out from the back. Short passes, medium passes or even changing the point of attack with longer passes – he doesn’t shy away

Ball carrying ability as a modern day defender is an important aspect to play out from the back. Defence being the best source of attack for a possession based side – Calafiori uses his technical abilities and ball manipulation in tight spaces to progress higher up the pitch by taking on players from his own half

Calafiori’s long legs help in maintaining an effective high defensive line, something that various big clubs aim to achieve with the right set up players. Combining his athletic pace + positional understanding, he demonstrates his IQ. An example of his clinical ball carrying during the EUROS

Calafiori’s on the ball abilities just sharpen with more game time. His strong core body strength, centre of gravity and agile hips helps him make quick turning movements when in pressurised situations. A smooth turning radius that helps him change directions – all this while being 6’2

Given the freedom higher up the pitch he can show his vision and creativity. Once gotten higher up the pitch – he can switch play to the opposite sides, break channels by exposing the lines or even carry the long for a bit longer that usually does the job for him and racks up goals/assists.

For instance, he finished the season with 2 goals and 5 assists for Bologna in the league; ranking highly for key passes in the final third + crosses in the penalty area. Volume of passes + risk taking in creating chances speaks of his confidence in pulling moves like this with ease

Defensively grown very mature where he can naturally sniff danger and anticipate one on one situations, aerial duels and win the ball from set pieces. Grown reliable as the last man of a high line as mentioned that makes him a front footed CB.

Calafiori’s defensive abilities aren’t just restricted to the ground but also his aerial dominance. Having won 71.4% of his aerial duels in Serie A, he’s placed 7th amongst the other Top 5 leagues in Europe. These stats just speak of how complete he is in winning the ball back from opponents, using his physicality and intelligent movements in doing so.

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Calafiori averaged 7.47 recoveries per90 in Serie A last season, making him the best CB to do so. His perfect positioning and spatial awareness enables him to intercept the ball and block passing options and recycle the ball for his team.

Being an Italian and not complimenting his mentality on the pitch? A literal Spaghetti Mafia of all sorts! Uses his potential to its most extreme sense + willing to do everything + acts as a leader of the pack and even puts himself on the line to become a menace to face

On a long term basis, Calafiori has the right technical qualities in advancing/inverting from CB and push into the midfield- like Stones or Akanji at City. From such a position, he can demonstrate progressive passes, make half turns and move higher up the pitch.

Talking about the City defenders, Calafiori’s style of play is identical to Croatian Joško Gvardiol. What makes them similar is their elite technicians of the game in possession + aggressive nature + using their physical traits at its sharpest use.

Areas to improve on:

Nothing major in terms of improvements but would need to work with his temperament in order to not being caught off guard in situations leading a high line. Aggressiveness could get concerning at times but it’s something he’ll be working on himself

Conclusion:

Riccardo Calafiori has grown onto become a super atheltic freak modern day defender that any manager would dream to have in their side. Not speaking only of his defensive qualities but his offensive influence on the game can reap higher rewards if utilised in the right way.

From leading majority of the stats for Bologna becoming everyone’s favourite at the Euros, he’s been quick to instil his aura in football. An impressive campaign at the Euros from the Spaghetti Mafia troops will only make it even more interesting to see where Calafiori ends up going to this summer.

His resemblance to the very greats Italy produced in its golden era – Maldini and Nesta in terms of footballing abilities speaks of his aura. Rare to find an elite technician as mature offensively and defensively. Safe to say, a big money move is coming sooner the later!

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