Scouting Report: Nicolas Stefanelli | The Heron Outlet
Here's what to expect from Nicolas Stefanelli when he arrives in South Florida.
photo credit: AIK Fotboll
Though he may not be the Argentine Inter Miami fans expected, Nicolas Stefanelli is no slouch.
With nine goals and four assists in twenty-nine appearances for AIK in 2022, Stefanelli looks like the type of player Inter Miami loves: Versatile, aggressive, and hard-working.
Speaking with Maxi Angelo, founder of Football Elements and writer for Breaking The Lines and Sempre Milan, he broke down what Stefanelli will bring to the South Florida club in 2023.
What is Stefanelli like as a player?
“ Originally, Nicolás Stefanelli is a traditional number nine. He’s smart in his movements, he’s great in his finishing, and he has a terrific instinct of smelling out chances. Out of possession, he’s a skilled presser and moves intelligently. For this, he’s been schooled by one of Sweden’s most meticulous and most experienced managers, Rikard Norling.”
What’s his tactical profile?
“As the years have passed, he’s been more and more deployed as a left-winger or as a second striker/offensive midfielder. As a left-winger he’s introverted and likes to cut inside the pitch to shoot with his preferred right foot or snapping up chances at the rear post when the play comes from the other side. As a second striker/offensive midfielder he’s mainly been tasked to link midfield and attack - due to his smartness, combination play, and movement – but he also joins in attack as a form of second wave when the chance for that arises.”
How could he fit into Inter Miami’s preferred 4-3-3/4-2-3-1?
“In a 4-3-3, he’s best suited as a left-winger or as the central striker. In a 4-2-3-1, he can play left-winger, offensive midfielder or as the central striker. Personally prefer him as a central striker, though, because of how good he is in the box. He’s skilled at linking up midfield and attack, but you maximize him as a player when he gets to be in the box to finish attacks of or open spaces for others through his movement.”
What's his preferred position?
“I think he prefers to play striker first and foremost, but also likes being a left-winger. [When he plays] …as an offensive midfielder, he gets a bit too far away from the goal [at times.]
Personality-wise, what will he bring to Inter Miami?
“As a character, he’s very appreciated in both AIK’s group of players and amongst the fans. He’s been known to interact a lot with fans after training and sometimes even in his spare time. Further, he’s a player who rises to the big occasion. Stefanelli has an incredible track record in scoring against city rivals Djurgårdens IF and Hammarby in the Stockholm derbies, as well as other big teams in Sweden. He’s a player who lives for the big games.”
Lastly, how do you think he'll fare in MLS?
“I think Stefanelli can be a useful player for Inter Miami. [I] don’t see him being a star player, seen to the level of star players who’s been at the club, but he can contribute with a lot of different qualities to Miami’s offense both on and off the ball. Might need some time to adapt though as he only got limited experience from the Argentinean first division and after that played in Sweden, Cyprus, and Chile.”
Miami will want to build upon its success from last season in the new year. Stefanelli appears to be the ideal player to help the Herons maintain that forward momentum.
Seeing as though the Argentine has been on Chris Henderson’s radar for a while, he could be one of the many offensive pieces that could improve upon Miami’s already solid foundation.