Sassuolo started to get back on track lately after an inconsistent performance in the first half of the Serie A season. They have achieved five victories in their last eight games and while that was a result of the teams efforts, one of the players impressed and had a huge contribution to their success.
The 22-year-old Hamed Traorè, who just recently earned some regular playing time, was brought under the radar with his mature displays and attacking flair, which helped the team in front of the goal. The head coach Alessio Dionisi steadily increased his playing time, from introducing him as a substitution to giving him a spot in the starting XI and the youngster doesn’t take this opportunity for granted.
Traorè supports the team’s actions from the left attacking midfield position in Sassuolo’s most used 4-2-3-1 formation, although his impact is the most noticeable centrally. His positioning and technical abilities have allowed him to score six goals in the team’s last eight league games, scoring a brace in their 2-1 win over Atalanta.
The Ivorian didn’t shy away to make an impact in the games against the top six sides, scoring against Lazio and Roma and providing an assist against Inter. He also scored Sassuolo’s only goal in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals against Juventus.
This scout report includes a tactical analysis of Traorè’s abilities on and off the ball and explains how he fits the team’s tactics.
Traorè’s contribution to ball progression
Traorè’s biggest contribution is in the final third where he can create goalscoring opportunities, but he does also support ball progression and Sassuolo’s actions in possession. This has changed over the years as he had to fit into Roberto De Zerbi’s possession-based playing style when he arrived on loan in 2019. Despite the former Sassuolo coach assigning him a less possession-oriented role, based on his abilities, the player did develop some positive traits in terms of ball progression.
He became more reliable for retaining possession for longer periods due to his dribbling abilities and he could easily be used to release pressure through link-up-play and one-touch combinations that help his team to advance the ball. Sassuolo rely on the players’ dribbling skills to progress the ball. Traorè manages to successfully replace Jeremie Boga, who was dominating in the left-sided areas prior to his departure.
He most frequently combines with the left-back and the left central midfielder as they try to progress the ball through a lot of movement and short passing. He does also combine with Domenico Berardi on the other side due to his movement centrally.
He also frequently combines with Maxime Lopez who has a more of a defensive midfielder role and is the main passing outlet. His passing range allows the team in breaking through the opposition’s pressing structures and as he combines with his more advanced teammates like Traorè in their efforts to progress the ball. The 22-year-old fits well Sassuolo’s strategy to quickly move off the ball and open the passing lanes.
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