Miha Zajc. Know the name? If not, youre unlikely to have watched Empoli this season. The 24-year-old Slovenian attacking midfielder has looked excellent so far and is tipped for a huge future in Italian football. After Slovenian attackers like Josip Ilicic and Valter Birsa have been consistent performers for years, Zajc looks like he could reach even higher levels. This tactical analysis looks at the potential of Empolis crown jewel.
Background
Born in the Slovenian town of Sempeter pri Gorici, right at the Italian border, perhaps Miha Zajc was always destined for a career in Italian football. Zajc spent the first years of his senior career at NK Interblock but also spent time on loan at Olimpija Ljubljana and NK Celje. After 51 appearances in the Slovenian first division for Celje, the then 20-year-old Zajc moved permanently to Olimpija Ljubljana. In the capital, Zajc made 70 league appearances, scoring 16 goals and winning the Slovenian title in 2015/16. He moved to Empoli in January 2017. As Empoli were relegated, Zajc made five Serie A appearances and scored one goal before the season ended.
The following campaign in Serie B saw Zajc really grab the headlines in Italys second tier. Empoli comfortably won the league and Zajc was instrumental from attacking midfield in an attack that saw the two strikers Francesco Caputo and Alfredo Donnarumma score 26 and 23 goals respectively. Zajc added eight of his own in 41 appearances as Empoli returned to the top flight. This season, Zajc has started seven of the eight games, only missing one due to suspension. Zajc has also made a good start to his international career with two goals in seven caps for Slovenia.
Now lets look at what the attacking midfielder brings to Empolis game.
Role at Empoli
Empoli started the season with a 4-3-1-2 formation where Zajc played as the number 10 at the top of the midfield diamond. In recent weeks, however, Empoli have changed their formation and now use a 4-3-2-1. This means they now have two central attacking midfielders behind a single striker rather than one attacking midfielder behind two strikers. For Zajc, this has meant he still plays centrally but appears more in the half-spaces than in the central lane. Along with fellow Balkan creator Rade Krunic, Zajc responsibility is to feed the striker Caputo with through balls and to combine with the other midfielders to create chances for the Tuscans.
Tactical analysis: Miha Zajc style of play
Zajc is a very creative attacking midfielder in the true sense. Attacking midfielders from the Balkans have always lit up Serie A and Zajc is no different. He follows in the footsteps of players like Stevan Jovetic, Adem Ljajic, Goran Pandev, Ilicic and a plethora of other creative playmakers to impress in recent seasons. The base qualities for an attacking midfielder is vision, technique and passing ability. Zajc tick all three boxes.
First of all his technical ability is fantastic. Zajc is so comfortable with the ball and can take it in the tightest of situations and find his way out with a clever turn or one-touch pass. His dribbling is impressive and he averages 2 dribbles per game. He also has a great shot from distance and isnt afraid of using it which is highlighted by the Slovenian averaging 3.7 shots per game.
In terms of vision and passing ability, Zajc is superb. His technique and close control is excellent, which leads to him always being willing to receive the ball. Thanks to his vision, Zajc usually have two or three options already in his mind when he receives the ball. This gives him the possibility of making good decisions in split seconds. Below is one example where all of Zajc ability results in him setting up a goal for Caputo. After receiving the ball he drives forward and provokes pressure from a Cagliari defender. As such, space opens up behind the defender for Caputo to run into. Zajc holds the pass until the right moment when he slides it through to the striker.
Zajc passing ability is extremely impressive. In fact, he averages 2.1 key passes per game in Serie A. Below, he spots a gap in Frosinones defensive line and the run of one of his strikers. He plays a sharp through-ball into the space and seconds later Empoli score thanks largely to Zajc assist.
Zajc is also dangerous from the half-spaces with his ability to send
