Mirko Maric 2019/20 – scout report

After Domagoj Kostanjšak did an analysis of NK Osijek last week, I have decided I will do a  scout report on the top goal-scorer in 1.HNL, Mirko Marić. This scout report will have both data analysis and tactical analysis on Marićs abilities. The Osijek centre forward already has the same number of goals as last season, despite having played 8 games fewer. 

Marić started his career in the Bosnian Premijer Liga at Široki Brijeg, playing there for three seasons before moving to 1.HNL champions Dinamo Zagreb from where he went on loan spells to Lokomotiva. He didn’t make any appearances for this years Champions League participants Dinamo Zagreb and made a move to MOL Vidi where he played for seven months before arriving at his current club. This season, his price has gone up to four million euros in December and after COVID-19 situation, it dropped to 3.2 million euros. There was a lot of talk in the summer that the Championship sides Nottingham Forrest and Birmingham City had made a bid for him, but Osijek rejected it. This summer, he could depart to a better league.

Player overview and data analysis

Mirko Marić is a 25-year-old centre-forward. He is left-footed, but still capable with his right foot too. Marić is 188cm tall, which can be his advantage in the air, but his offensive aerial duels are his weakness. He always looks to offer a passing option for his team-mates and offers more dimensions to Osijekin attack. 

Looking at his heatmap we can see Marić likes to drift wide and drop deeper to get the ball. His football IQ helps him get into the right spots on the field to receive the ball, which means he has spatial awareness and he often looks to lay the ball off to his team-mates with the first touch. In the graph below we will take a look at Marićs expected goal contribution and goal contribution per 90 compared to the other forwards in 1.HNL.