Bologna’s impressive season has seen them qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
They had, however, featured in the competition when it was called the European Cup.
A collective team effort has enabled them to accomplish this feat, and a key part of that is Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye.
The 23-year-old has featured regularly in the starting lineup and has had impactful substitute appearances.
He is expected to play a role off the bench in the upcoming 2024 Euros.
The visualisation below shows where Dan Ndoye ranks for some key metrics this season compared with the other right-wingers in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Having spent the majority of his senior career so far in Switzerland, Ndoye signed for Bologna last summer.
Even if the data is from a small sample size, Ndoye, during his time in Italy and before, has demonstrated that he is a high-volume dribbler, ranking 78th percentile for dribbles per 90 minutes in 2023/24 among right-wingers.
He is also capable of playing anywhere across the front three.
It is still too early to tell much about his goalscoring ability, but he does find himself in the right positions to finish off chances quite often.
His xG performance has been underwhelming, scoring only once from a relatively higher xG value, and finishing is an aspect that he needs to improve upon.
When receiving the ball, he isn’t afraid to take risks and progress the ball forward through carries or otherwise, ranking in the 71st percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes.
Defensively, Ndoye utilises his physicality to compete in duels and regain possession for his team.
Dan Ndoye’s journey in Italy has been steady and gradual thus far, hinting at the potential for a breakthrough performance in the upcoming Euros.
This anticipation of his peak form is what makes his journey so intriguing and inspiring for football enthusiasts and team managers alike.
