Atalanta Looks to Have Added a Versatile Midfielder Capable of Playing Higher Up and Sitting In Defense
The Dirty Details-
Position: CM, CAM
Contract Length: 4.5 Years
Transfer Fee: $770k (according to transfermarkt)
Age: 24 (25 on Valentine’s Day)
Qualities: Calm, Agile, Timely Positioning, Good With Both Feet
Areas of TBD: Assertiveness, On The Ball Play
Atalanta have finished up a tidy piece of business for Shakhtar’s Viktor Kovalenko for a modest $770k transfer fee. Adding to the arsenal of midfielders is never a bad thing, and while Kovalenko is not a classic Papu replacement (their qualities are way too different), it does give Atalanta a player with a unique skillset that I don’t believe La Dea have right now. I rewatched Shakthar’s 2-0 defeat over Real Madrid in Champion’s League, and tried to dissect Kovalenko’s game and how he fit into their improbable victory over Atalanta’s next opponent in the Round of 16. Of course this is only one match, and you can’t draw definitive conclusions from only 90 minutes, but I think this still provides a pretty clear picture of what Kovalenko can provide.Bear with me!
This is my first player analysis, so I hope you enjoy!
To begin, Shakhtar were at home (well at least in Ukraine, dunno if they’re playing in Donetsk yet), but were still set up to let Madrid hold the ball and strike on the counter which worked to perfection. The boys from Ukraine were lined up in a 4-3-3 (or almost a looser 4-2-3-1), with Kovalenko and Captain Taras Stapanenko sitting deeper almost as a defensive midfield back two. Shakhtar moved very well as a defensive unit, Kovalenko included who looked to be kind of a semi spy on Luka Modric (a tough task!). Madrid only had one real chance at goal early in the match, when Ascencio hit the post on a cross into the box. There was no intent from Kovalenko to press the Croat, but he did well to play within the shape, with only one real lapse of judgement allowing Modric to get behind him – who eventually set up Benzema for a clean shot on goal that was right at the keeper.
Offensively, Kovalenko’s name to the game is flying into the box, to get on the end of a moment of brilliance from any of Taison, Tete, or Moraes. Kovalenko didn’t score in the match, but the few times that Shakhtar broke on the counter, Kovalenko was immediately off to the races to help in the attack.
It seemed evident from his game that he much prefers moving in space without the ball, and doesn’t look to dictate the offense through passing and dribbling. In fact, he only had 29 pass attempts all game (23 completed), and had the lowest percentage of the ball out of all of Shakhtar’s starting XI. This may just be a testament to the tactic’s of sitting back and allowing Madrid to hold the ball as he focused more on playing a good zonal defense, and perhaps against weaker opponents in league he commands more of the ball. But with playmakers like Taison and Tete (proxies for Ilicic), there isn’t a whole lot of need for him to hold the ball and attack from midfield.
In a way his game emulates Pasalic, in that he frequently looks to be in the right place at the right time, although at least from this match he doesn’t seem to error prone and is looking to recycle possession or get the ball to a playmaker. He didn’t get any lucky bounces going his way against Madrid, but he did contribute nicely to set up Dentinho’s goal, and set himself up for a half chance on his weak left foot. The next image shows he is capable of playing in a nicely timed pass, and nearly threaded the needle on this occasion! Fortunately for Shakhtar, Madrid’s brain fart on defense allowed Dentinho to stroll in and pound home their first goal.
Finally defensively, there wasn’t a lot to go on if he will be able to adapt to Gasperini’s pressing style. Against Madrid it was obvious they had no intention to try and win the ball back quickly, and their tactic was all about keeping shape. However, Kovalenko did show a nice moment of awareness and acceleration to dispel an attack with quick movement to poke the ball away from a surging Odegaard.
Prognosis
A very effective low risk high reward signing. He’s similar to Pasalic, except that he looks pacier, and seems less prone to mental errors. He knows his duties well, and looks equally comfortable maintaining his defensive duties and being aggressive going forward. Its to be determined how he would do in a man marking system, as I haven’t seen any footage, but given his work rate and pace, I’d imagine he can be at least moderately effective as he grows into his role.
It’s still difficult to find where he fits into the squad. He obviously not the type to pull strings like Ilicic, but he can potentially slot into a Pessina like role if his work rate is high enough, and be more of a threat to score than the Italian. He also looks equally comfortable being backup to de Roon and Freuler, considering he’s composed and passes well enough. An added bonus may be as a pivot midfielder, he can provide the runs into the boxes rather than Hateboer or Gosens, leaving one of the wingers back for more defensive help to prevent a counter attack.
Overall, I’m excited about the signing, and I think he offers an interesting skillset that can fit into Atalanta’s midfield, while providing opponents a different look in the midfield three. Good luck Viktor, and welcome to La Dea!
