Baptiste Santamaria Scout Report
In this scout report, we spotlight Baptiste Santamaria, Rennes' linchpin in the core of midfield. Occupying central and defensive midfield roles, the 29-year-old excels in the rudimentary, yet critical aspects of his duties. His percentile rankings speak volumes of his tenacious style of play, with his ball recovery and interception marks sky-high, placing him among the elite defensive midfielders in Ligue 1. He’s particularly comfortable in the war zone of the midfield third, dictating play and disrupting opposing structures.
His upper percentile ball retention, duel win percentage, and progressive passing stats illustrate his ability to carefully manage the game, control the tempo, and deliver diligently forward. For a midfielder, Santamaria thrives on being commander of the ball, with a penchant for retention and recovery. His potency in aerial duels hints at a player who's not frail in physical battles. Nevertheless, his chance creation and progressive carrying may need reinforcement, offering scope for improvement.
The key insight from these stats brings to light a player who possesses discernment in staving off opponents' offensive inquests while maintaining a steady flow of the game. However, Santamaria's penchant for defensive rigidity intermittently eclipses his offensive capacities. His lackluster goal efficiency and a low presence in the attacking third indicate that he may benefit from increasing his attacking contributions, while his percentage of fouls committed and yellow cards imply an aggressive player, albeit sometimes too much so.
Despite a couple of setbacks, Santamaria continues to make a mark with his relentless, gritty, and judicious style of play, his defensive prowess clearly forming the cornerstone of his unyielding abilities. Foremost, he's a bulwark, effectively quelling opposing threats, with midfield dominance that makes him an undeniable asset to his side.
