Milan Skriniar defines the modern day center back
- Richard Hall
Next time Skriniar takes to the field, watch how he holds the line, look at his forward thinking yet sensible passing, look at how he reads the game and how he gets in goal scoring positions on set pieces, then remind yourself he is 22-years of age. The more one reminds oneself of this the more remarkable it becomes, as his poise, confidence and ability, make him look like a defender with ten years more experience already under his belt. Add to this the fact that he bright, humble and has hunger to learn and in a world where the modern center backs role is undefined, he may just be the model.
"I didn’t even think about making such an impact. I want to help the team in every game, and if we win then we’re all happy", he told Sky Italia after the win against Sampdoria. When asked why he is drawing such praise from the media, players and coaches alike he said “I look at other matches. I'm happy because I’ve always worked under great Coaches. Spalletti’s also helping me a lot.” A self-confessed student of the game the 6ft 2” defender has learned a lot since his humble beginnings a Zilina, his local club who he joined at 12 years of age. He spoke (in the same interview) of being a fan of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly because he is good with his feet, a skill he has with abundance as he knows how every defender in the modern game needs to be able to play out from the back to succeed.
Since his arrival in Serie A in 2016 his rise has been admirable. His early time at Sampdoria did show that he wasn’t fully confident, and he made a few mistakes. This was because he was being reactive as a defender and waiting for the opposition to make their move before he would move. This couldn’t be further from where Skriniar sees himself as a defender and his proactive reading of the game is his biggest asset. He is the player who takes a second to sum it all up, before moving quickly to break up an opposition move. This has seen his make seven goal saving interceptions already (Squawka) putting him in the top bracket of Serie A defenders.
His move for 23m Euro move to Inter also saw him pair up with Joao Miranda, a partnership that is certainly blossoming. Again, learning from his more experienced counterpart, he has struck a balance that many have failed to do. Good defenders and superb athletes, Juan Jesus and Jeison Murillo partnered Miranda bit leant on his too much. If the Miranda had a bad game, so did they. Now, Skriniar, despite a 30-minute spell against Bologna, has not looked shaky when the Brazilian has wobbled, infact in the second half of the Bologna game it was he who stepped his game up. His character and confidence is growing.
Confidence and ability, not a bad combination for a modern day center back but add his passing to this and he starts to look even more complete. So able is he, (91% pass completion to be precise – Squawka) that he starts moves from deep with consummate ease. This not only transitions the play quickly but is Franco Baresi-esque ability to step out with the ball breeds confidence with his full backs and midfielders, allowing them to move off quickly. He is even getting amongst the goals, the icing on a very composed and regal cake. This is something he did not exhibit at Sampdoria, but at his Zilina he netted an impressive 12 times in 77 games, perhaps Inter can start to look at him as a potential goal threat from deep.
Skriniar isn’t perfect, he still has a lot to learn and he would admit that. Still, he is intelligent and supremely talented. In an era that people find it hard to define the role of the modern day center back, never mind trying to find one, perhaps they should look here. In a league that has prided itself on showing off the best defensive players, here is one more and if Inter are to mount any sort of Scudetto challenge, they will need to rely on Skriniar to help them.
@RichHall80