In the search for the virtuosos of Serie A in our ranking of the best players in all disciplines and areas of the game, it is impossible to spare what is in part the essence of football. What young and old alike marvel at. From the most pragmatic to the most romantic, the dribble has everyone in agreement – it echoes with richness and beauty in this sport. That’s why, in this second instalment, our seasoned eyes have landed on the following players: here are the best dribblers in Italy.
5- Petar Stojanović
You may not know him, but remember his name. To make a long story short, Peter Stojanović is Italy’s most dribble-savvy defender. For only 68 attempts, he passes his opponent 41 times and thus looks after better statistics than a João Cancelo. In fact, he is the third best defender in this discipline among the five major leagues behind Galan (Celta Vigo) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern). Who says Empoli don’t belong in the top flight? The Slovenian is an ultra-attacking player who brings quality and charisma to the promoted side’s defence, which is in great need of it. With 30 appearances in the Champions League with Dinamo Zagreb, he has been one of the leaders of Empoli’s admirable run this season. Fearless in attack and solid in defence, he possesses all the qualities of the modern terzino, a profile that one would like to see Empoli fight for a European place – an ambition that was not surreal until a few days ago.
4- Felipe Anderson
The comeback that Lazio were waiting for. Felipe Anderson crossed the sea several times before landing in Rome to pull on the Biancoceleste shirt once again, but his return to his beloved club will not save him from the brink. In the midst of an existential crisis, Lazio’s ambitions were dwindling as the disappointments mounted, and the blue sky was getting darker by the day. The return of the fanciful Brazilian, pampered by the tifosi, is therefore more than welcome and seems immediately justified: 41 successful dribbles, 70 attempted (58% success rate), Anderson is finally back to playing his football – lively, incisive and with an infectious enthusiasm. The positive note of a Sarri-ball that is struggling to take hold in the Biancocelesti. The “O rato de Roma”, for his part, did not worry about it and went straight to the heart of the matter: this club was as if he had never left it.
3- Nicolò Zaniolo
The enfant terrible of Calcio, Zaniolo has returned to AS Roma after a long and trying absence. The prodigal son, whose physique has been transformed and whose torso is now bulging, has set out this season with the aim of carrying out the Mourinho project. Success has not always been forthcoming, but despite some setbacks, the Roma team can nonetheless boast some fine performances, of which Zaniolo is one. At times irresistible, at others unbearable, he leaves many on the sidelines: with 42 successful dribbles out of 86 attempted, the young Italian’s enthusiasm is proving indispensable to the Giallorossa attack and if there is one objective he must set himself, it is to enhance his generosity with greater regularity and efficiency. The potential is clear, his impact is undeniable, Zaniolo remains one of the greatest hopes of modern Calcio.
2- Sofian Kiyine
The chief surprise. Venice is not just about gondolas, water instead of roads and €10.50 coffees in St Mark’s Square, it’s also about Venezia FC. If the city is hosting the Mostra or the Carnival, the club is celebrating Sofian Kiyine’s dribbling festival on the left flank. Trained at the JMG Lierse academy and having played for Chievo, Salernitana and Lazio, the Moroccan finally settled in the floating city, where he seems to have found a balance in his football. To fight against relegation, Venezia can count on the 71% dribbling success rate of their full-back (46 successful dribbles for 64 attempted), which is quite simply the best ratio in this ranking and one of the best in Europe. That’s all there is to it.
1- Rafael Leão
Profession? Serial dribbler. Hobby ? Making the competition dance. Leão sets fire to everything he touches and is a master at breaking through defences. With 56 successful dribbling moves, his dribbling success ratio is 63% (better than Kylian Mbappé’s 61%, for those who are wondering): it is therefore only natural that he should be ranked as Italy’s best dribbler. Given the defensive proclivity of the league and the intensity of its games, it is difficult to find a worthy competitor. In just 77 minutes, the Portuguese scored one goal, set up one assist, won eight out of 12 duels and humbled his opponent four times in five attempts. These statistics corroborate the enormous impact of the young striker on the Rossonero squad: is he the future idol of Calcio ?
