Italian soccer aficionado James Horncastle paints a portrait of NYCFC's new DP and his four-year stay at Atalanta...
As New York City welcomes Maxi Moralez it is worth remembering just how Atalanta said goodbye to him.
Supporters unfurled a banner in the stands during his final game for the club against Genoa at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. Daubed in black spray-paint was the following, touching message.
“MAXImum respect for the uncatchable folletto. Thank you, Moralez.”
A folletto is a sprite. In this particular case, we're talking about the stuff of fairytales rather than the soft drink.
To paraphrase Hans Christian Andersen, once upon a time the Argentine was the smallest player in Serie A.
Smaller even than another star of MLS, the atomic ant, Sebastian Giovinco. Standing at just 5’3”, Moralez soon showed size does not matter. As the local paper L’Eco di Bergamo put it, in some games this folletto became a giant.
“Being short is considered a strength, not a weakness in Argentina,” Maxi explained. “Every team fields a couple of little guys. Coaches aren’t snobbish about them. On the contrary, they actually look to make the most of their potential. Need I remind you of Messi and Maradona?”
Maxi follows in a great Argentinian tradition. He is a No.10, an enganche, the hook between the midfield and attack, and can play anywhere between those lines.
His role is a skill role. A finesse role. Maxi will add more vision to a team already boasting il maestro Andrea Pirlo. He will bring a sense of imagination.
Maxi is not a static No.10. He is not a walking playmaker.
While it’s true, the former Racing and Velez trequartista is a quicker thinker than sprinter, he is always on the move, showing for the ball and has the ability dribble past players.
In Italy Maxi is what's known as falso lento.
He may look slow. But he isn’t. Instead of a criticism, it is something of a complement.
They said the same about Zidane, not that we're drawing a direct comparison.
Expect Maxi to supply passes to those running in front of him. David Villa, in particular, should have a lot fun. Maxi set up 27 goals during his time at Atalanta.
At 29, he joins with a lot still to give.
The folletto and the Big Apple. Let another fairytale of New York begin.
