In what is a fairly vital transfer window for Hoffenheim, they have been pretty active, bringing in the likes of Sebastian Rudy and Robert Skov to strengthen a squad that has been raided throughout the summer. But one signing stands out above all this summer for post-Nagelsmann Hoffenheim, and that is the arrival of Diadie Samassekou from RB Salzburg. Samassékou arrives with an excellent reputation already and has proven himself on a large scale, and as this analysis will show, for just 12 million euros there is not much that can go wrong for Hoffenheim. In this tactical analysis, Ill look at Samassékous biggest strengths and identify why I believe he can be a massive success in Germany.
Defensive awareness
One of Samassékous biggest strengths within his game is his defensive awareness in that he is able to read situations well and assess whether to counter-press, drop deeper, or adjust the direction of his run to make an interception. This ability became particularly prevalent within Marco Roses pressing system at Salzburg, and with Samassékous role as a defensive midfielder being to somewhat protect the back four from counter-attacks, he was a vital part of the system.
We can see below Samassékous ability to recognise when to press and when to cover, which in this case he assesses based on the body position of the opponent. The opponent receives the ball and turns away from the centre of the pitch, and with no options to pass to there, he will be forced to turn again back towards the centre. Samassékou therefore presses, knowing his pressing run is pretty much risk-free as if he uses his body to cover the centre of the pitch and aggressively tries to tackle, the ball cant progress.
We can see this defensive awareness again below, where Salzburg lose the ball with many players committed high up the pitch. Samassékou holds his ground as the opponent sprints forward and waits for a heavy touch before moving in and winning the ball. Dropping off would see him give up more space for the opposition to counter-attack in, and so although Samassékou takes a risk stepping forward and counter-pressing, hes in a better position to stop the counter-attack by a foul or by winning the ball.
My final example of this defensive awareness
