Are you wondering why Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is trending every day? Why is he dubbed the New Maldini? How did he send Italy through to the Euro 2024 last-16? Is he really a top-notch player and was he like that before this summer? And which big clubs in Europe are already chasing Riccardo? Now you will finally find out!
Calafiori vs Croatia
During the match between Italy and Croatia, which determined who would qualify for the last 16 of this year's Euro, centre-back Riccardo Calafiore delivered a spectacular performance!
He won 100% of his aerial duels, completed 93% of his passes, was not dribbled past once in the entire game, created more chances than any other player (4), and also provided the assist for Mattia Zaccagni's winner in the 97th minute of the game after a brilliant solo run!
This goal saved Squadra Azzurra from elimination, with Calafiori having an incredible match! After the final whistle, an exhausted Riccardo fell on the grass and cried with joy, as his efforts helped Italy reach the knockout stages!
"I couldn't even think, I was just so happy. More than anything. It just came out," Calafiori commented on his emotions after the crucial clash.
Now Italian supporters call Riccardo the main man of Gli Azzurri's squad at the ongoing European Championship, but in fact, it was not a one-match wonder and it was not just about one goal!
Calafiori looks by far the best defender at this Euro and here are the things that confirm it!
Calafiori at Euro 2024
Hair, headband, aura - 22-year-old Riccardo Calafiori seems to be a modern version of the legendary Paulo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta! And not only in terms of appearance, but also in terms of his style of play!
Right from Italy's Euro 2024 opener, Calafiori has been performing like a GOAT! In the first-round encounter against Albania, he won 100% of aerial duels, showed 93% pass accuracy, completed 5 recoveries and 3 interceptions, as well as 2/2 dribbles. Experts and static portals awarded Riccardo with the highest rating!
However, in the next match, things turned upside down for him. While facing Spain, Calafiori unsuccessfully diverted the ball into his own net, giving Furia Roja a 0-1 victory over his side.
After that own-goal incident, the haters immediately called Calafiori overrated and he went from Maldini shouts to Harry Maguire shouts in one game. It was unfairly cruel, because, apart from the own goal, Riccardo once again had a great 90-minute display and did not deserve such criticism...
But nobody realized that it was Riccardo's plan - to score an own goal that almost got Italy eliminated just to deliver a crazy assist in the decisive match!
Against Croatia, when Italy's attacking line had not been able to create much of a chance, Calafiori simply picked up the ball in the last minute and said to himself: "Fine, I'll do it myself". And he actually did!
In the post-match interview, the Italian defender explained: "I wanted to make up for my own goal against Spain. I don't know where I found the energy for that last play, but I needed to give something to this Nazionale and I didn't want to end our journey here.
I wanted to give something back after my own goal and I think I did".
So, Calafiori has already had three outstanding performances in three games and that's the reason why you hear about him every day. Although another question is whether he is just as good at the club level!
Calafiori in Serie A
The immediate answer is SÌ! It's not the first time Calafiori has attempted such solo runs with the ball in the opponent's half, as he did against Croatia! In the 2023/24 season, this used to be his favorite technique, so at the Euros we see not a coincidence, but a consistent approach!
By the way, Riccardo Calafiori is a graduate of the AS Roma Academy. In the summer of 2022, he moved to Basel, but returned to Serie A the following season, inking a contract with his current club Bologna.
Believe it or not, Calafiori worked wonders in his first season as a part of his new team! For the first time in 60 years, Thiago Motta's squad made it to the Champions League, while Riccardo himself became one of the best defenders in Serie A and the top 5 European leagues!
Throughout the 23/24 campaign, Calafiori featured in 37 matches, netting 2 goals and registering 5 assists. On average, he had 2.01 interceptions per 90 minutes, 2.4 ball clearances, 1.47 blocks, and the most possession-adjusted interceptions - 8.59.
To this, we should definitely add 1.72 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and 1.13 progressive carries per 90. Those numbers highlight another of Calafiori's strengths - tactical versatility!
Well, he is equally good with his both feet and can cover several positions at once - left centre-back, right centre-back, left-back, and left midfielder. If necessary, he is always ready to go forward and create an attacking opportunity out of nothing!