Impressive. He was under a lot of pressure, and he seemed to make really quick decisions and anticipated stuff well. Got out-muscled by Tonali a few times, unsurprisingly.
Busio is a really smart player w/ great technique and lovely eye for a pass. I think he has made significant strides since joining Serie A in his defensive awareness/positioning as well. But he will always be limited based on his lack of elite pace. It becomes really obvious when he has to defend a player like Diaz who has all the speed and then some. It means he has to be better at just about everything in order to be a good Intl Level player. Pace isn't everything though... and I think he has enough of it to pair with his strengths/potential to make a very solid player.
My take differs on this one. Based on this (and just this), it looks like it was a tough game for him. Almost gave up a PK (that gets called sometimes), muscled around, not much luck advancing the ball. But I'm sure it was a good learning experience.
Like I said... there are always exceptions... you just have to be well above average at just about everything else... Djordje is this kind of player too. His eye for the pass is so good that I think a very good team (even the USMNT) can benefit from him on the pitch if they have others to pick up the slack when the ball is turned over. Djordje routinely provides dangerous service that makes up for his lack of pace IMO... and I think Busio is that type of player as well. Very good w/ the ball at his feet... great on set-piece deliveries... with an innate ability to weight a ball for their teammates to run onto. I just think you have to have some guys to help cover for them when they get caught a bit upfield.
This is why Italy is good place for him. Jorginho is slow. Veratti is small and not that fast. They love em small, smart and feisty.
I think he's on his way to being exceptional. He is extraordinarily creative with his passing and would be able to help virtually any team. I would like to see an expansion of his passing range toward that of Kevin De Bruyne. That would really be awesome and there is a good chance of it happening.
Who wins a foot race between busio Lletget and Roldan? They’ve all been noted as not athletic enough to be a top tier player.
Quickness matters, foot speed is not much of an issue for central midfielders. Some of the great players at this position were not fast.
Agreed. He has quickness but not long distance speed. that said over long distance roldan for sure wins.
What's the distance? Lletget is pretty slow, Roldan's probably the fastest, and Busio's in the middle of the two I'd say. I'd wager Roldan's got the most endurance as well. No stats to back this up, of course.
He is only 20, so he will undoubtedly get better. Especially in Italy where tactical and technical discipline are top notch (vs. pace) He seems to anticipate danger well, and is clever enough to play the correct flicks at the correct pace or find an outlet to avoid danger. All valued in the Italian game. He definitely has enough pace to play at higher levels. He will just need to continue to learn to make up for that lack of a top gear with superior positioning, using his body better and being one step ahead of the opponent. Jorginho would seem to be a good player to model his game after. Player of the year in Europe this past year (by one major award) Admittedly Jorginho probably can't play in every team the same way, he is a 'systems' player but has really excelled at his clubs in a certain role, which reminds a lot of the role Busio seems destined to play- deep lying playmaker with some defensive responsibilities.
Venezia makes waves with American imports to Italian league “I grew up watching all Serie A games and the Italian national team with my dad,” he said. “Pirlo will always just stand out to me because of the way he plays, composed and cool, the hair and everything. It was something I was drawn to, and now even more.” The playmaking Busio picked up his first assist for Venezia in last Sunday's 2-1 loss to Spezia. He's averaging 11.2 kilometers (7 miles) run per game — seventh highest in the league.
Speed is not the only measure of athleticism. Someone like Pirlo was not fast but, he had great agility, balance and often was one of the leaders in Serie A in distance covered. Back to Busio it is great to see him in the Serie A. The only worry is that at Venezia they are probably going to be really bad. And you would think it will be harder for a skillfull, passing midfielder like Busio to stand out on a side that will be battling regulation. But, Tonali was the talk of Italy while playing for Brescia so it is possible.