2021-12-14, 05:46 AM - Word count:
It’s been an unexpected start in the SSL for Alessio Calvatore. Chosen with the 1st overall pick in the SSL Entry Draft, some may have expected Calvatore to be the cornerstone of the inaugural Cairo City team. And when you factor in that Cairo’s current tactical system involves a defensive midfielder, surely the Italian dynamo would be in there, quarterbacking the game, spotting runs before they happen, pinging balls around, coming deep and starting counters. Not quite!
One of the issues with the initial draft class of the SSL, is the wealth of talent in some positions, but something of a dearth in others. Centre Back is one position that is currently a problem for Cairo. They have some outstanding attacking options, like Torres, Larsen, Fernandes, and solid full backs with Jeeves and Reinmann. However, they have no natural centre halves. And being the consummate team player, Calvatore has stepped up to fill in at centre back!
A couple of less-than-stellar performances in the first 2 games followed. Not awful, just looking like a player who does not naturally play centre back. Missed tracking of runs, getting beaten for pace or drawn out of position. He seemed to turn a corner in their 3rd game of the season, which also happened to be Cairo’s first loss of the season, to closest geographical rivals, Athenai. Calvatore’s positioning was better, he wasn’t being beaten for pace the way he was before and his reading of the game from that position improved. Despite conceding 4 goals, Calvatore was not at fault for any of them. He even got himself his first assist of the season, with a beautiful through ball for Fernandes to score their only goal of the game. It gave a glimpse of what he could be capable of, as a deep lying playmaker, sitting deep, dictating the play. As a ball playing centre back, he is still controlling the tempo, slowing the game down when needed. Finding the best pass, whether a simple pass outside to a wingback or a 30 years diagonal, has certainly become his forte. In fact, thru 3 games, Calvatore leads the league in Pass Completion % at a staggering 99.12%. He has completed 226/228 passes across those 3 games. Just imagine what he could do with that wand of a left foot, a little further forward!
All in all, an unconventional and unexpected start to the season, but Calvatore is showing that he is what everyone thinks he could be, hopefully Cairo can pick up some natural CBs and Calvatore can be unleashed to be what he promises to be.
One of the issues with the initial draft class of the SSL, is the wealth of talent in some positions, but something of a dearth in others. Centre Back is one position that is currently a problem for Cairo. They have some outstanding attacking options, like Torres, Larsen, Fernandes, and solid full backs with Jeeves and Reinmann. However, they have no natural centre halves. And being the consummate team player, Calvatore has stepped up to fill in at centre back!
A couple of less-than-stellar performances in the first 2 games followed. Not awful, just looking like a player who does not naturally play centre back. Missed tracking of runs, getting beaten for pace or drawn out of position. He seemed to turn a corner in their 3rd game of the season, which also happened to be Cairo’s first loss of the season, to closest geographical rivals, Athenai. Calvatore’s positioning was better, he wasn’t being beaten for pace the way he was before and his reading of the game from that position improved. Despite conceding 4 goals, Calvatore was not at fault for any of them. He even got himself his first assist of the season, with a beautiful through ball for Fernandes to score their only goal of the game. It gave a glimpse of what he could be capable of, as a deep lying playmaker, sitting deep, dictating the play. As a ball playing centre back, he is still controlling the tempo, slowing the game down when needed. Finding the best pass, whether a simple pass outside to a wingback or a 30 years diagonal, has certainly become his forte. In fact, thru 3 games, Calvatore leads the league in Pass Completion % at a staggering 99.12%. He has completed 226/228 passes across those 3 games. Just imagine what he could do with that wand of a left foot, a little further forward!
All in all, an unconventional and unexpected start to the season, but Calvatore is showing that he is what everyone thinks he could be, hopefully Cairo can pick up some natural CBs and Calvatore can be unleashed to be what he promises to be.
