In the vast world of football talent, there are those who shine brightly under the spotlight and those who operate in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. Rui Modesto, the 23-year-old Portuguese-Angolan right wing-back, unquestionably belongs to the latter category.

Despite his exceptional performances at AIK Solna since his arrival in January 2023, his brilliance has remained largely under the radar on the global stage. This scout report aims to shed light on the remarkable rise of Rui Modesto, his impactful contributions to AIK Solna’s success, and his potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the footballing world.

Stepping into AIK Solna, Modesto wasted no time making his mark. His exceptional start and consistent displays in the new season have propelled him into the spotlight within the Swedish Allsvenskan and on the radar of football enthusiasts worldwide. His market value, a testament to his growing reputation, has surged from €350,000 to an impressive €800,000 since July 2022, and the upward trajectory of his value seems set to continue its ascent.

Notably, Modesto has claimed the title of the best wing-back in the Swedish Allsvenskan, a recognition bestowed upon him by the official Wyscout index. While he has rightfully earned acclaim within the league, his talents remain hidden gems beyond the Scandinavian borders.

As we delve into this tactical analysis, we will explore the attributes and qualities that define Rui Modesto’s style of play. Modesto’s impact on AIK Solna’s gameplay goes far beyond the surface, from his tactical intelligence to his technical prowess. His contribution to both defensive stability and attacking dynamism has been instrumental in his team’s achievements.

With a league as captivating as the Swedish Allsvenskan as its backdrop, this analysis aims to unearth the nuances of Modesto’s gameplay, offering a comprehensive insight into his potential to shine on a broader stage.

Player Profile

Rui Modesto’s versatility makes him a valuable asset in multiple positions on the right flank, with his primary role being that of a right-wing-back. However, his adaptability allows him to contribute effectively as a right-winger or right-back when required. While he can perform well in these roles, his true brilliance shines when deployed as a wing-back within a back-three or back-five system.

In his role as a wing-back, Modesto showcases a dynamic playing style that revolves around his active involvement in offensive actions. The nature of his position demands proficiency in various aspects, such as delivering crosses, executing dribbles, and creating scoring opportunities from wide areas of the field. His capacity to provide accurate crosses into the box and his skill in taking on defenders through dribbles add a dimension of unpredictability to AIK Solna’s attacking strategies.

One of the hallmark attributes of a wing-back is the frequency of overlapping runs. Modesto excels in this aspect, often venturing forward to support the attack by overlapping with his teammates. This offensive orientation allows him to contribute to AIK Solna’s buildup play and create numerical advantages in the wide areas.

While defensive actions are slightly less prominent for wing-backs in comparison to traditional full-backs, Modesto is not devoid of defensive capabilities. He engages in moderate levels of defensive activities, including applying pressure on opponents, making crucial tackles, and participating in duels.

However, his primary focus remains on contributing to the team’s offensive initiatives, making him an energetic force down the right flank.

Positioning and Awareness

Modesto’s astute reading of the game is reflected in his ability to execute timely interceptions, averaging 4.26 interceptions per 90 minutes. This skill enables him to anticipate the opponent’s passes and movements, allowing him to disrupt their attacking plays and regain possession for his team.

With a strong grasp of pitch geography, Modesto demonstrates versatility in his positioning along the entire wing. His capacity to navigate up and down the flank effectively supports both offensive and defensive phases of play, providing AIK Solna with a dynamic presence that stretches the field.

However, there are areas in which Modesto’s positioning and awareness can be further developed. While he exhibits an understanding of when to mark opponents and when to track runners, there is potential for refinement in certain situations. Improving his decision-making about when to step out and press, as well as when to maintain a marking position, could enhance his defensive effectiveness.

Notably, Modesto’s tactical positioning is influenced by his style of play. His high work rate in attack is a defining feature of his game, which affects his positioning in relation to the centre-backs. While he may not consistently provide extensive defensive cover to the centre-backs, his offensive contributions and energy in advanced areas compensate for this aspect.

In Possession

One of Modesto’s standout attributes is his assurance and reliability in executing short passes. With an average of 34.77 passes per 90 minutes, he showcases a secure passing approach that aids in maintaining possession and initiating build-up play. His short passes are marked by a commendable accuracy rate of 76.5%, reflecting his ability to consistently find his intended targets and contribute to the team’s ball circulation.

Modesto’s prowess in short passing extends beyond accuracy. His ability to inject a suitable ball speed into his short passes ensures fluidity in AIK Solna’s ball movement. This quality is vital in maintaining the rhythm of the team’s possession-based approach.

Additionally, Modesto demonstrates the capacity to execute more intricate passes that penetrate the opposition’s midfield lines. His inclination toward forward passes, averaging 9.34 per 90 minutes, highlights his willingness to advance the ball into advanced areas. Passes to the final third and through passes further underline his intent to break defensive lines. While he can execute such passes, their accuracy has room for improvement, as they currently hover around 60%.

Modesto’s positioning on the field is another aspect that aids his effectiveness in possession. His ability to quickly assume optimal positions and angles aligns with AIK Solna’s build-up strategy. This positioning allows him to receive the ball and promptly play forward passes down the line, contributing to the team’s progress in the attacking phases.

A notable trait in Modesto’s possession game is his courage in demanding the ball even when under pressure from opponents. His willingness to receive the ball under duress showcases his composure and determination, reflecting a solid mental aspect of his playing style.

While Modesto boasts several qualities that enhance his possession game, there are areas in which he can refine his performance. Specifically, his execution of more challenging passes, such as through passes, could benefit from an increase in accuracy. Improving the success rate of these passes would further elevate his contribution to AIK Solna’s offensive endeavours.

Attacking Phase

His attacking mindset is evident in his desire to position himself higher up the pitch, demonstrating a proactive approach to receiving the ball in advanced areas. This inclination aligns with his role as a wing-back, where his positioning aims to provide an additional option for his teammates in the attacking phases.

His adeptness further accentuates Modesto’s attacking support in executing overlapping and underlapping runs. These tactical movements not only stretch the opposition’s defensive structure but also create passing lanes and space for his teammates to exploit. His ability to time these runs effectively is essential in AIK Solna’s attacking strategy, as it enhances their ability to penetrate and unsettle opposing defences.

A distinctive facet of Modesto’s attacking play is his willingness to drift inside from wide areas and attempt shots. This inclination to cut inside allows him to create goal-scoring opportunities through both his own efforts and by providing a central outlet for his team’s attacking combinations. His aptitude for taking shots from central positions adds a layer of unpredictability to his playstyle, making him a multifaceted threat in the attacking third.

Modesto’s standout attribute in dribbling is his impressive pace, which allows him to sprint with the ball at high speed. This speed is a valuable asset, enabling him to quickly transition from defence to attack and catch opponents off-guard as he surges forward with the ball.

His preference for cutting inside from wide positions rather than exclusively driving down the line showcases his versatility and tactical acumen. This ability to vary his approach keeps defenders uncertain about his next move, allowing him to exploit gaps and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Modesto’s proficiency in one-on-one dribbling situations adds a dimension of unpredictability to AIK Solna’s attacking play. His success rate of 62.1% in 1v1 dribbles demonstrates his ability to manoeuvre past opponents and progress the ball up the field effectively. This skill is pivotal in breaking down tight defensive lines and creating space for his teammates.

Furthermore, Modesto’s aptitude for beating his opponents in offensive duels (46% success rate) signifies his determination to gain the upper hand in crucial situations. This assertiveness allows him to deliver crosses into the box or cut inside to take on shots, making him a multi-faceted threat in the final third.

However, certain aspects of Modesto’s dribbling could benefit from further refinement. While his preference for cutting inside is tactically advantageous, developing his ability to deliver by-line crosses could provide additional dimensions to his play style. Utilising his high pace to reach the by-line and deliver cut-back crosses could catch defences off-guard and provide AIK Solna with an alternative method of attack.

Transitions

In attacking transitions, Modesto showcases his quick decision-making and anticipation skills. His ability to rapidly initiate counter-attacks with precise forward passes or seamlessly join ongoing counter-attacks through forward runs is a testament to his football intelligence. This quality allows AIK Solna to swiftly transition from defence to offence and catch opponents off-balance, exploiting open spaces in the transitional phases.

On the other hand, Modesto’s attacking mindset can occasionally pose a challenge in defensive transitions. While his primary focus is on contributing to the team’s offensive endeavours, he still displays commendable reactions to adapt to defensive situations. His capacity to quickly recognise the need to transition into a defensive stance and get into proper positions highlights his tactical awareness and versatility.

Furthermore, Modesto’s exceptional recovery speed is crucial in attacking and defensive transitions. His ability to cover ground rapidly enables him to track back and support the defence when the team loses possession.

This quality is particularly crucial in defensive transition, as it allows him to negate potential counter-attacks and maintain a balanced defensive structure.

Defensive Phase

While Modesto showcases promise in his defensive capabilities, there is room for improvement in his overall defensive game. His positioning and decision-making, particularly in situations involving showing opponents to the outside or inside and effectively blocking shots or crosses, could benefit from refinement. Developing a stronger awareness of his body positioning in relation to the opponent can also bolster his defensive contributions.

In defending one-on-one situations, Modesto displays commendable defensive duelling skills, engaging in an average of 8.29 defensive duels per 90 minutes. However, there is potential for growth in his success rate of 59.1%. Improving his ability to read the opponent’s movements, anticipate their actions, and react with precise timing could increase his success in these situations.

Modesto’s height of 183 cm, which is notable for a wing-back, provides him with an advantage in aerial duels. His willingness to contest aerial challenges is evident in his engagement in an average of 3.23 aerial duels per 90 minutes. His success rate of 48.8% underscores his competency in this aspect. Leveraging his height effectively, he can win aerial battles and secure possession for his team.

To fully optimise his defensive contributions, Modesto can work on enhancing his tactical understanding, spatial awareness, and decision-making. Developing a stronger sense of when to engage the opponent aggressively and when to prioritise maintaining his positioning can contribute to his overall defensive stability.

Conclusion

In summary, Rui Modesto’s player profile underscores his proficiency as a versatile right-sided player. His role as a wing-back in a back-three or back-five formation allows him to maximise his offensive potential, contributing to crosses, dribbles, and chance creation. While his defensive actions may be slightly less frequent, his overall impact on the team’s attacking strategies is significant. With his adaptability and dynamic playing style, Modesto stands as a critical asset in AIK Solna’s pursuit of success on the pitch.

In a footballing landscape that often focuses on the brightest stars, Modesto stands as a prime example of the hidden talents that emerge from the shadows. With each match, he is redefining what it means to be a right wing-back, captivating the hearts of fans and analysts alike.