Nikola Milenković Scout Report
In this scout report, we take a deep dive into the performance of Fiorentina's center back, Nikola Milenković, during the 2023-2024 Serie A season. At 26, Milenković is no longer a young prospect, but he continues to impress with his reliable performances at the heart of the defense. His performances highlight him as one of the most consistent centerbacks, with his incredible ball recovery rate, placing him among the top quartile performers in his position in the league.
Despite his defensive prowess, Milenković tends to be rather average when it comes to his ball retention, progressive carrying, and pass accuracy. However, it is noteworthy that he is slightly above the halfway mark in regards to his chance creation and progressive passing, indicating an element of offensive capability in his style of play which is not usually seen in traditional centerbacks.
Irrespective of his average attacking metrics, Milenković's real strength lies in his physical abilities. He is near unparalleled when it comes to aerial and ground duels, ranking in the 100th percentile in both categories. This dominance translates into a stalwart defender nearly unbeatable in one-on-one situations, whether in the air or on the ground.
However, Milenković has room for improvement in areas such as interceptions and recoveries, where he ranks in the bottom half amongst his peers. He remains predominantly active in the defensive third, and might, therefore, benefit from honing his anticipatory skills to augment his current strengths. Although he occasionally strays into fouls and bookings, these instances are not alarmingly frequent, and they are an aspect that should not overshadow his outstanding attributes.
In summary, Nikola Milenković is a sturdy, dominant center back, masking slight deficiencies in his anticipatory skills with exceptional physical strength and a surprising dash of offensive prowess.