The 2023-24 season was the one to remember for generations for every Girona fan. The Spanish club ended in third position just behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. This also guaranteed them a place in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 campaign.
To become one of the best, the team should show consistency in more than one season. But this is not easy for any club. Teams often lose their best players to other top teams. This leads to a replacement signing for the departed player.
One such player left Girona in the summer. Apart from Dobvyk and Aleix Garcia, Girona’s star winger Savinho departed the club. This was a big blow for a LaLiga side ready to play against the best in the Champions League. Girona decided to replace the Brazilian winger with another youngster from Colombia. Yaser Asprilla left Watford to join the Spanish side. The 20-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough season in 2023-24 and received a national team call-up. But the question is, can Asprilla replace Savinho. Here is an analysis that shows what Girona fans can expect from their new high-flyer.
Threat down the right
Yaser Asprilla played down the right flank for Watford in the EFL Championship. He played in 44 league games for the English club. Asprilla is a typical right-winger, who likes to take wider positions. The pizza chart shows that Asprilla has a high percentile rank in the attacking and possession department compared to other right-wingers in Tier 2 league football.
The 20-year-old ended the season with six goals. Most of the shots were blocked by the opposition players. Asprilla often finds space around the six-yard box. He also scored three long-range efforts for Watford.
Asprilla ended the season with five assists. He created numerous chances but only a few were converted. Most of these shot assists came in the form of crosses that landed on the edge of the six-yard box. The above plot reflects the player’s skill in delivering precise passes into the penalty area, a critical aspect of breaking down defences. Yaser averaged four passes to the penalty box per 90 minutes and delivered nearly 56% of these passes.
The youngster also contributed to the defence by tracking back the opposition. Asprilla committed a few fouls but also won a few duels to gain the ball. This plot assesses the player’s defensive involvement and effectiveness, which is crucial for wing-backs and wingers who track back. Asprilla won 59% of his defensive duels.
Can Yaser Asprilla replace Savinho?
Savinho created plenty of chances down the left flank. Asprilla plays on the opposite flank. Both players have a similar style of penetrating the box. They can take on the defender with their skill set.
The crossing style is also similar for both players. Yasen was more accurate than Savinho but the Brazilian attempted more crosses. There are a few similarities between the two. Yaser Asprilla will be against tougher opponents. He needs to upgrade his game and showcase his talent in Spain.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine