During his time in Florence Rui Costa became a perfect example of a fantasista, however his influence spread further than just the final third of the pitch. He was trusted to drift wherever he deemed necessary to help build an attack, such was his footballing brain and vision. His passing range ensured he could split the tightest of defences with a trademark through-ball, or switch the emphasis of an assault with pinpoint cross-field passes.
A true midfield conductor, his style led to the nickname “il Maestro di Fiorenze” - the Maestro of Florence, however, despite a lack of genuine pace - although he seemed to glide around the pitch - his close control and dribbling abilities made sure he operated mostly as a trequartista rather than a functioning metronome in the deeper laying regista role. Plus, the closer he was to ‘Bati-gol’, the more devastating the outcome.
12 ноя 2022
