Emma Lombardi

Emma Lombardi is a dynamic young footballer making her mark in Serie A Femminile with Fiorentina. At 19 years old, her career is still in its early stages, but she's already displayed a remarkable knack for progression and tactical awareness as a left-back. Despite not being a goal-scorer, Lombardi contributes significantly to the team’s offensive play, as evidenced by her contributions on the wing. Her ability to advance the ball through both passing and carrying exemplifies her as a crucial element in building attacks from the back.

Throughout her 11 appearances for Fiorentina this season, Lombardi has logged 667 minutes of play, showcasing her reliability and consistency. While she might not be scoring goals herself—her stats indicate an expected goals (xG) per game of 0—she contributes to the team with assists, boasting an average of 0.15 assists per game. Her role as a progressor is further underlined by her substantial progressive passing and carrying distances, averaging 327.72 meters and 65.14 meters per game, respectively. These stats highlight her capability to transition play efficiently, making her an invaluable asset in advancing the ball into attacking areas.

Defensively, Emma Lombardi excels at breaking up the opposition's play, as shown by her possession-adjusted 4 interceptions per game and a challenge rate of 3.24 per game. While her challenge success rate stands at 40%, it remains an area with potential for growth as she gains experience and hones her defensive acumen. Despite this, her knack for reading the game allows her to frequently disrupt opponent attacks and recapture possession, providing crucial support to the Fiorentina backline.

Ranking third on the playmaker scale, Lombardi’s skills extend beyond mere defense. Her vision and execution in playmaking roles signal a high ceiling in terms of her developmental trajectory. With an estimated transfer value of €527K, she's certainly a player to watch in the coming seasons as she continues to refine her skills and further her contribution across the pitch. As Lombardi grows both in experience and in tactical prowess, she is poised to become a leading force in women's football, embodying the archetype of a progressive fullback in modern football.