Badiashile and Disasi among the most forward-facing axial ones
The two friends of the rearguard of AS Monaco are classified among the defenders of the Big 5 who engage the most forward. The proof in figures.
It is often said that defenders are the first counterattackers. And in this case, it’s not just a saying, it’s a reality. In fact, the two axial defenders of AS Monaco, Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi, are among the Big 5 center-backs who are progressing the most forward. According to figures compiled by two accounts specializing in the study of data, StatsBomb and Fbref, the two Monegasques are in the basket for two very specific statistics.
Center defenders, ball progress, etc. etc. pic.twitter.com/OWTipdbtxT
– Francesco (@ItalianHawker) November 9, 2021
Best passer in Europe forward
The international hope tricolor (10 caps), trained at the Academy, is indeed the player of the five major championships who makes on average the most forward passes per game. With a little more than six vertical transmissions per game, he thus advances players such as Eric Garcia (FC Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villareal), Lucas Hernández (Bayern Munich) or Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City). Again called by Sylvain Ripoll for the November break and the two qualifying matches for Euro 2023 in the category, he was even the best Monegasque recently against Eindhoven at the Stade Louis-II, winning all his duels.
Axel, Mr. projection
He has also just passed the bar of 100 pro games with AS Monaco, at only 20 years old. Promising, for the one who was still part of the initial list for the Golden Boy 2021. His friend and accomplice in the axis, Axel Disasi, is not left out either. Vice-captain of the Red and White since last season, the former Reims is today the 6th central defender of the Big 5 who performs the most forward courses. With seven screenings on average per match, the Monegasque number 6 plays in the same court as elements like Rúben Dias (Manchester City) or Joël Matip (Liverpool). Not bad.
If you play more forward, it’s easier to defend your corn and create reverse attacking situations. And if you lose the ball that’s okay, but you have to put the pressure on right away, like we did last season. I want us to be in the action.
AS Monaco coach
Encouraging figures, which prove that Monegasque defenders are capable of bringing significant added value to the collective capacity to move forward. This is good, it is precisely one of the points on which Niko Kovac had recently pressed in a press conference: conversely ”. From words to deeds.