ALEJANDRO "PAPU" GOMEZ
From the very beginning, he stood out as a different kind of player — skilful, comfortable on both feet, daring and incisive in one-on-one situations. And while he has always had excellent vision and game awareness, after more than 15 years in top-flight football — both in Argentina and Europe (Italy and Ukraine), along with his experience with the Argentine National Team — it’s fair to say he exceptionally understands the game.
“I usually look at the referee’s position to find space. He’s the best positioned on the entire pitch. He’s always “free”…”
He’s currently flying the flag of his magical Atalanta across Europe, leading a team that continues to inspire admiration throughout the world of football.
But in this article, we won’t focus on the present. Instead, we’ll take a trip back to the 2016/17 Serie A season: Atalanta 3 – Pescara 0. He was the scorer of the opening goal in that match.
With the aim of better understanding his vision and analytical ability in situations where decisions must be made in a matter of seconds, we asked him to break down his goal. What did he see? What led him to make that choice?
Thank you, “Papu”.
“I received the ball at the far post after a low cross from Hateboer. I knew I had to make a quick decision because inside the box, you don’t have time, and I figured the defender would likely close down my right side and leave me with my left. And that’s exactly what happened — he covered my stronger side and the option to shoot across the goal.”
“However, he gave me more time than I expected, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed THE GOALKEEPER WAS BEHIND THE DEFENDER, LEAVING A GAP AT THE NEAR POST. I didn’t hesitate. I kicked hard in that direction and was lucky it went in.”