Sporting Kansas City is one of the charter members of the MLS. Participating in the United States top flight since 1996, the team originally known as the Kansas City Wizards has tasted success throughout the years. Having won the Supporters Shield once, the MLS cup twice, and the US Open Cup four times, Sporting KC is one of the most decorated clubs in the states.
Led by technical director and coach Peter Vermes, Sporting have been successful with not only their first team set up but their academy set up as well. From youth academy to their second team that plays in the USL, Sporting KC has a solid path for the players that represent them. In 2017 one of their top academy players signed his Homegrown contract with the club, which at the time made him the youngest player to sign for an MLS club since Freddy Adu.
This player is none other than Gianluca Busio. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina Busio moved away from his family at a young age to accomplish his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Having made his way through the ranks, Busio is just getting started.
As interest starts to increase from clubs in Serie A, the young Italian American continues to impress for his club. This tactical analysis will look at what makes Busio an integral part of Sporting KC, and why clubs in Europe are beginning to take notice.
Sporting’s human metronome
At the young age of 18, Gianluca Busio is one of the more composed midfielders in the MLS. This composure is shown by his stats and where that places him among players in a similar position. The young midfielder boasts an average of 50 passes per 90, with an impressive 91% accuracy. Looking at an analysis of his passing in key areas, we can see just how accurate he is in his position.
To go along with his passes per game, Busio averages 7 progressive passes per game. Highlighted in blue, we can see below where he stacks up against his peers. Busio is one of 14 players with at least 500 minutes played that is above the league average with the passes per 90 and progressive passes.
Position
Sporting Kansas City has typically lined up in a 4-3-3 with a single pivot, or a 4-1-4-1. Busio usually plays as that lone pivot in front of the centre backs. He is also able to play as an attacking midfielder or a box to box midfielder. Looking at the young midfielder’s heat map we see how much ground he covers between the two penalty areas.
In the next part of the scout report, we will analyze how Busio’s off the ball movement aids his team’s tactics.
Off ball movement
Gianluca Busio is not going to be the type of player that holds the ball up with his physique. The midfielder is 172 cm tall and weighs in at 65 kgs, so has a more slender frame than the typical holding midfielder in the MLS. His frame and playing style is quite similar to Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
Busio’s off the ball movement allows him to arrive into space when it is time to receive the ball. In the following sequence from their match against Minnesota United, we see this in action. Starting higher up the field to allow Sporting’s centre backs space to build up with.
Busio then drops to collect the ball, drawing Minnesota’s first line of pressure towards him as he receives. This movement creates space that he will then move into as the ball moves to the outside back.
As the right-back dribbles forward, Busio realizes that there are no forward options. He then stops his forward run to create a passing option between the Loons’ first pressing line of two.
The midfielder is then able to open his body up as he receives the ball, and quickly plays to the left-back. By combining his movement with his passing vision, Busio is able to successfully aid Sporting in playing through Minnesota’s press.
In the next section of the analysis, we will take a look at his contributions in the final third.
In the final third
Busio’s tactical versatility and vision allow him to help begin attacks for Sporting KC in the final third. Once he is around the penalty area, the young midfielder is able to deliver the ball in a variety of ways. Using the analysis of his deliveries into the penalty area we see exactly how he helps Sporting attack the penalty box.
The Sporting KC youngster is also comfortable peppering the opposition’s goal from outside the penalty area. Analyzing his shot map from 2019 we see that of his 37 total shots, 24 came from outside of the box.
Using his goal against Colorado Rapids, we can see how he goes about taking his shots. Typically on corner kicks, he will be the furthest from the goalkeeper. Tactically it makes perfect sense because there are bigger players that will be more effective in the air.
As the ball gets cleared, Busio anticipates where it will land. Maintaining his calm under pressure from a defender, he collects the ball and immediately winds up to have a shot.
Busio then steers a rocket through a crowd into the bottom left corner. Not only does the youngster aid the build-up, but he is also capable of creating and finishing chances.
As a midfielder, Busio must also help Sporting in the defensive phase of the game. In the next section, we will look at Busio’s defensive qualities.
Defensive contributions
The Sporting KC youngster’s contributions on defence are also vital for his team’s success. Busio easily helps with Sporting’s counter-pressing and recovering the ball in transition. Averaging 8.22 recoveries per 90, along with 4.85 counter-pressing recoveries we see below exactly where he ranks among his fellow midfielders.
His ability to read the game allows him to anticipate passes and intercept them. This is one of the ways that Busio is able to successfully stop opposition counter-attacks before they even develop. Analyzing the following sequences we will see two instances of Busio’s interceptions.
Against FC Dallas, we see Busio moving towards the area where the ball is being passed to. Scanning the scene as he arrives, he notices that the Dallas player that is highlighted could potentially receive a back pass.
The young midfielder recognizes the pass is going to happen before the Dallas player does. This allows Busio to change his pace, intercept the ball and pass it to his teammate. His anticipation allows Sporting KC to immediately counter-attack a disorganized FC Dallas.
Next, we have an example from the match against Minnesota United. Busio is in a supporting position as his teammates lose possession out wide.
As the opponent starts to wind up to pass, Busio recognizes where the pass will go. He immediately begins to cut off the nearest outlet pass to the forward.
This anticipation allows Busio to stop the pass and bring the ball under control before passing it to his teammate.
Within the defensive third, he is also consistent, averaging 8.32 defensive duels per game. Looking at an analysis of defensive duels that he won, we see that 16 of those came inside Zone 14.
Conclusion
These are exciting times for followers of the USMNT. With such talented players such as Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Josh Sargent, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic making progress at their respective clubs the future looks bright. Gianluca Busio will soon be among the current crop of American midfielders that are beginning to make waves in Europe.
He will most likely follow Philadelphia Union’s Brenden Aaronson as the next young Americans to make the jump after this season. His Italian passport could potentially make Serie A his destination, with clubs such as Fiorentina, Roma, and Juventus all having expressed their interest.
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