Rookies on display: shining in their first year in Serie A
Serie A forces any player out of his comfort zone, whether they are coming from abroad or making the step up from the lower leagues. Impact isn’t just measured in talent but also in the ability to get up to the pace of the game, adapt to the tighter spaces, and build up a tactical fortitude that doesn’t allow for lapses in concentration.
Each year, some players get off to a flying start. Last year, it was Scott McTominay, Nuno Tavares, David De Gea and Youssouf Fofana who made a stunning entrance. This season, we have a new wave of debutants making waves.
The eternal Modrić and Akanji’s solidity
Among all of the new players in Serie A, there are two who stand out due to their long and distinguished careers abroad: Modrić and Akanji.
At 40 years of age, Modrić chose AC Milan for the latest chapter in his legendary career. His intentions were clear from the outset: the Croat has come to Italy to win and to inspire the club he has supported since his youth. Leadership, mentality and sheer class; every time he steps onto the field, calcio stops and watches. The numbers say that the former Real Madrid man is one of the best passers in the league this season, and he has proven decisive in the offensive phase with one goal and three assists. Legends never die.
A big signing for the Nerazzurri in the summer, Akanji has come to Inter to take up Pavard’s mantle following three years under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Ready and mature, the Swiss centre-back quickly became a key figure for Chivu, who saw in him the perfect partner to complement Bastoni. While the Nerazzurri’s left-hand tends to be all action on the front foot, Akanji tends to stay deeper, guaranteeing balance and the chance to go long. Physically dominant, impeccable in the penalty area and clean in the build-up, Akanji is a central figure in the Inter defence and a role model in the position for the entire league to follow.
Moreo, hunger for Serie A football
In his first season in the top flight of Italian football, Stegano Moreo has proven the importance of perseverance. Born in 1993, he spent time in AC Milan’s youth system before playing in Serie B and the lower leagues. He has now brought all of his hunger and drive to Serie A.
The numbers speak for themselves. A brace against Torino, a goal against Cagliari and another brace, this time against Inter at San Siro. In his role as Pisa’s leading goalscorer, he is just missing one at the Arena Garibaldi. Despite standing at 1.91m tall, Moreo has scored in every way possible: penalty, rebound, a pure striker’s finish, outside the box, and a near-post header.
Il suo gol da 35 metri contro l’Inter, il secondo dalla distanza più lunga subito dai nerazzurri nella Serie A (a 20 squadre) alle spalle soltanto di Manuel Pasqual (36,6 m) nel 2011, è il simbolo di una stagione che lo vede protagonista anche tra i migliori marcatori italiani del torneo.
Baturina, an explosion of talent
He arrived from Dinamo Zagreb under a weight of expectation, and Martin Baturina’s introduction has been a gradual, but significant, one. Just the one goal against Torino, plenty of time on the bench, and few opportunities in his first few months in Italy. Then, the turning point. The key moment came in the dying minutes against Bologna. He’d only been on the pitch for five minutes, and Baturina netted the equaliser right at the death. And everything changed. Against Lazio and Torino, he was brilliant: a goal, a backheel assist, great passing, and long-range shooting.
With three goals and three assists in his last four appearances, Baturina won the Rising Star of the Month award. His growth reflects his change in status and will be sure to delight Cesc Fàbregas, who now has an attack-minded midfielder who can play alongside Nico Paz in a number of formations, whether it’s wider on the left or through the middle as a false nine.
Jacobo Ramón, Como’s wall
A teammate of Baturina, Jacobo Ramón is one of the revelations of the season. Born in 2003, he came through the Real Madrid youth system. In his first season under Fàbregas, he has slotted in with ease.
A long-limbed centre-back standing at 1.95m tall, he is one of the best defenders for aerial duels won, and he combines his physical prowess with great technical ability. He has a pass completion rate of 92%, behind only Acerbi. Ramón also has two goals in 19 appearances, not an insignificant number for a rookie centre-back. Another great pick-up by Como.
Kiliçsoy, fearless talent
A prodigy at youth level for Beşiktaş and often compared to Agüero, Semih Kiliçsoy has come to Serie A with no fear and scored some stunning goals. First, it was a finish into the corner against Pisa and then a solo effort against Torino, which won him the ILIAD Goal of the Month award, and finally the vital goal in Florence. The 2005-born Turk has shown an uncommonly complete repertoire for striker of his age, becoming one of just four players in the league to have scored with both feet and his head, alongside Moreo, McTominay and Lautaro Martínez.
Wesley, pace and substance for Roma
Wesley’s fairytale has found a happy ending in the capital as well. A breakout star for Flamengo at the Club World Cup, the Brazilian wing-back arrived at Roma amid expectations and question marks that he has answered on the pitch. Perfectly suited to the wing-back role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s back five, he has delivered quality and solidity straight away on both flanks. Three goals, tireless running and key passes: Wesley has quickly become indispensable in the Giallorossi setup. The only thing missing is an assist to complete an already top-level impact.
Muharemović and Giovane, present and future
The step up from Serie B did not faze Tarik Muharemović. A left-footed Bosnian centre-back standing 1.87m tall, he has made his mark with a modern interpretation of the role. He ranks fifth in Serie A for defensive recoveries (124) and, alongside Jay Idzes, forms a young and effective partnership that could attract the interest of many top clubs in the league.
Giovane’s season has reached a turning point. A standout in the first half of the campaign with Hellas Verona, the 2003-born midfielder arrived quietly from Corinthians and lit up the Bentegodi with a truly Brazilian style: creative and carefree. Three goals and four assists under Zanetti earned him a move to Napoli, where an even more demanding test now awaits: Antonio Conte’s intense and rigorous working methods.
(Photo Getty Images)