Throughout the UEFA Euro 2016 qualification phase, Southampton’s Italian target man Graziano Pellè led the Azzurri attack with 3 goals in seven matches under manager Antonio Conte. On Monday night in Lyon, the ex-Feyenoord centre-forward scored more than just the second and eventual match clincher. Here is a look at the 30-year old’s overall performance in the 2-nil win over Belgium.
Graziano Pellè, unlike Èder, was in fine form coming into the opening group stage match against the number 2 FIFA ranked Belgium. For Southampton, the 30-year old striker tallied 11 goals and seven assists throughout the course of thirty Premier League matches in 2015-16, via transfermarkt. At the beginning of the season, Pellè was hitting the back of the net with regularity for the Saints, but there was a spell during the middle of the campaign where his scoring touch vanished; additionally, nagging knee injuries kept him on the shelf against the likes of Arsenal and West Ham. However, he managed to regain confidence for the English outfit, scoring five times and showcasing his underrated ability as a ball distributor with four assists in the final seven fixtures.
Meanwhile back in Italy, Èder was in very concerning form for Inter, scoring just once since a January transfer from Sampdoria to the nerazzurri. Simply put, even with the recovery of Pellè, supporters of the Azzurri had their doubts; Conte however did not. In fact, the former Juventus manager remained confident in what had propelled an undefeated Euro journey to France.
On Monday, Conte fielded his tried and true 3-5-2 formation, with Èder and Graziano Pellè leading the attack. The hope was the strike-force could break down the Red Devils back-line of Laurent Ciman, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, and Jan Vertonghen. As if the lengthy Thibaut Courtois wasn’t already a tall order to defeat in goal, the Azzurri had to penetrate two of the best central defenders this past season in the Premier League. Well, with the motivational factor Conte always brings to his players along with the dedication to the blueprint laid out before Gli Azzurri, we were able to see some positive buildups unfold. Of course, Emanuele Giaccherini scored off a jewel from Leonardo Bonucci who showed his exceptional passing range from the centre-back position before Graziano Pellè hammered home a volley delivered from Antonio Candreva to seal the 2 nil victory and three points for Italy.
Let’s dig deeper into the overall play of Pellè; the stats and numbers provided by the statisticians at Four Four Two and Opta:
A pass percentage of just over 50% may not jump off the page, but the activity speaks volumes about the commitment of Pellè to retrieve the ball then distribute to his wide men Matteo Darmian and Antonio Candreva who knew they held the immediate upper hand from the jump with two makeshift fullbacks in Ciman and Vertonghen.
Pellè has a reputation for being an above-average ball winner in the air, particularly when taking the ball down off his chest before dishing to supporting teammates. 70% of the aerial battles Pellè came out on top and it went a long way in allowing Italy to take shape especially in the second half.
Sometimes, we often make the harshest of judgements on player performances without thinking about what the player may – or may not – have been asked to do by the manager. Did Graziano Pellè dribble by several defenders with flair, or score a Dimitri Payet worldie to win a match from the death? No, Pellè is not that type of player but for Antonio Conte and his Italy side, he doesn’t need to be. Pellè was asked to be himself, play to his strengths within Conte’s scheme and work. Critical performance.
Shots: 5
On Target: 2
Aerials Won: 6
Goals: 1
Rating: 8.07via @WhoScored#ITA#EURO2016http://pic.twitter.com/0aWl5Ts92Y
— Matthew Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) June 14, 2016
Pellè and the Azzurri continue their Euro 2016 campaign on Friday at 9am EST against Sweden.
The post By The Numbers: Graziano Pellè v Belgium appeared first on IFD.
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