Scouting Report: Gastón Benedetti

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Gastón Benedetti

Lead SAFA Analyst: Rico Moragues

So we've been a bit quiet of late, working on some exciting projects one of which has been based in Argentina so we thought we'd share with you some of our analysis on Gastón Benedetti, one of Estudiantes rising stars...

Gastón Benedetti Taffarel, born on March 29, 2001, in Larroque, Entre Ríos, Argentina, is a promising left-back currently playing for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División. He began his football journey with Estudiantes' youth academy in 2012 and has steadily progressed through the ranks, making his name as a left-winger before transitioning to an attack-minded left back.

In 2022, Benedetti spent a season on loan at Guillermo Brown, gaining valuable experience in the Primera Nacional. Upon his return to Estudiantes, he quickly established himself as a key player under manager Eduardo Domínguez. His debut came in the 3-0 victory over Newell's Old Boys in March 2023. Since then, he has been a consistent performer, contributing both defensively and offensively.


Scout Report

  • Club: Estudiantes de La Plata
  • Position: Left-Back
  • Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
  • Caps/Goals: 62 appearances, 3 goals for Estudiantes
  • National Team: Argentina U23, 1 cap

Strengths:

  1. Going on the Outside and Overlapping: Benedetti excels at making overlapping runs, providing width and support to the attack. His ability to stretch the play and deliver crosses from wide areas is a significant asset.
  2. Driving into Space at Speed: He is adept at exploiting spaces with his pace, often driving forward with the ball to create opportunities.
  3. Composure on the Ball: Benedetti maintains excellent composure under pressure, ensuring he keeps good distances between himself, his teammates, and opponents.
  4. 1v1 Defending: His defensive skills in one-on-one situations are commendable, often neutralising opposing wingers with his timing and positioning.

Weaknesses:

  1. Weak Foot: Benedetti's reliance on his stronger foot can limit his options, particularly in attacking phases.
  2. Height and Aerial Duels: At 1.74 m, he may struggle against taller opponents, particularly in aerial duels.
  3. Long Passing: While his short passing is reliable, his long passes can lack accuracy and distance, an area that could benefit from improvement.

Data Analysis



Benedetti's data is excellent when compared to the league average for full backs and he clearly excels in his attacking output. In accordance with the Player Analyst reports based on the SAFA Grading Criteria, his final third impact is apparent with excellent data in the metrics: Passes into Final Third, Forward Passes, Crosses and Passes into the Penalty Area. 

We too see an underperformance, compared to league average in Defensive Duels Won and notably, Aerial Duels Won which may limit his transference to specific leagues around the world.

Overall Assessment:

Gastón Benedetti is a dynamic attacking fullback who thrives in advanced positions. His ability to defend one-on-one situations effectively and anticipation to intercept makes him a well-rounded player. Despite some areas for improvement, such as his weak foot and long passing, Benedetti's strengths make him a valuable asset for Estudiantes. He has the potential to play for top teams in his division and could even make a mark in top European leagues.

Benedetti's journey from a youth prospect to an established fullback is a testament to his hard work and dedication. As he continues to develop, he is certainly a player to watch in the coming years.

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