Pizzi with direct influence on 11 goals

Member of the Benfica squad since 2014/15, Pizzi has exceeded his records. He arrived at Luz as a winger, he imposed himself as a centre-midfielder and it is in that position that he is a reference, inclusive as an option for the National team. position, 

The first season with an eagle on his chest was an adaptation period to the number 8 position, evolving afterwards to number above average. In the 2015/16 season, the first under Rui Vitória, the midfielder went from the center to the right flank, but his performance remained unchanged.

The rise of Renato Sanches forced the Portuguese international to provide other qualities to the team. He did it with flair, contributing with eight goals and six assists in 31 matches in the Liga NOS, in the winning of the third league title in a row.

This was just the start of what would follow… Renato Sanches moved to FC Bayern and Pizzi returned to the center of the midfield to make the best season of his career. Apart from the eight assists, the Benfica number 21 jersey returned to the times of "goal scorer winger", when he was young and scored 10 goals in the championship.

In the current season, the start was a little slow, but the second half of 2017/18 is revealing the best version of Pizzi. Increasingly more influential as the team and 4x3x3 driving force, the midfielder had once again decisive actions in the match against Rio Ave, with a goal and one assist. He scored his first goal at Tondela and thereafter he already has five goals and six passes for his teammate to score.

He has still not reached the number of 2016/17, but he is well under way and has 13 matches to do it or even surpass it. For now, in the assists statistics, he is in the joint 2nd place with Jonas and only has Cervi in front with seven assists.

PIZZI'S NUMBERS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR BENFICA

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: / SL Benfica