Sergi Cardona Scout Report At Las Palmas Under Garcia Pimienta Tactics 2023/2024 – Player Analysis

After a troubling five-year spell in the Spanish Segunda Division, Las Palmas gained automatic promotion back to the top flight in the 2022/23 season.

While most pundits have predicted their relegation, García Pimientas side has appeared to be one of the more eye-opening teams with its tactics and playstyle this LaLiga campaign.

Sitting comfortably in 10^th after the winter break, many of their star players have been placed under the microscope- with larger sides looking to poach those who have impressed thus far.

Since the start of the season, Sergi Cardona has been an essential part of this Las Palmas squad, ever-present in the defensive setup.

However, with his contract ending this summer, it has appeared increasingly likely that he will take his talents elsewhere and look to further his footballing development.

Interest in the 24-year-olds services has increased as we approach the January window, with Atlético Madrid and Villarreal monitoring his progress.

This scout report and tactical analysis will begin to highlight how valuable Cardona has been in Las Palmas efforts to avoid the drop and remain resolute.

We will also provide some analysis of how the Spaniard may slot into the system and tactics of one of their LaLiga competitors, with elite managers such as Diego Simeone looking to utilise the young full-back.

Las Palmas style of play Under Garcia Pimienta Tactics

Throughout the 2023/24 season, we have seen Garcia Pimientas men line up in the 4-5-1, with key emphasis placed on a midfield overload in order to retain possession.

A testament to their dominance of the ball would be their season average of 58.5% possession, bested only by Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid (59.4%) and Barcelona (64.7%).

Las Palmas enjoy a slower and more intricate style of play, sacrificing a more direct and fast-paced approach in order to keep hold of the ball and sustain larger passing sequences.

This has translated well into the highest level, with their style closely emulating that of Diego Simeones Atlético Madrid.

While they remain composed on the ball, should they lose possession, Las Palmas is proactive and looks to stifle opposing counterattacks and build up play.

With a 3^rd best 10.1 PPDA (passes per defensive action) in LaLiga, this would suggest that their pressing style has successfully forced the opposition into mistakes and allowed them to continue controlling games.

Despite their success in keeping the ball, it would appear that this has failed to translate into effective output in the final third.

Having a league-lowest 12.14 xG (expected goals) is particularly damning and potentially one of the reasons why they are currently not in contention for European places despite their ball dominance.

Sergi Cardona Position

Whilst the majority of this Las Palmas team deserves significant credit for their current efforts, Sergi Cardona has been critical.

He represents a key contributor in this stout defensive unit that has only conceded 15 league goals all season, four fewer than league leaders Real Madrid.

Cardona has operated on the left-hand side of Pimientas back four all year, slotting nicely into the full-back role and having a fundamental impact on both sides of the ball.

He has had to shoulder the majority of the defensive responsibility on the left flank, with creative maestro Alberto Moleiro often placing more focus on his attacking duties and looking to invert, linking play with the rest of the midfield.

Despite Las Palmas dependency on Cardona, they communicate well, and the interchanging of roles and formation is vital to their defensive solidity.

In times of need, Manchester City loanee Maximo Perrone can be observed shuttling between defence and midfield, slotting between the two central defenders to create a 5-4-1 when out of possession.

Cardona can maintain his width and accurately defend against opposing wingers, using his covering speed and defensive adeptness to stifle players of varying styles and skill sets.