Nilton Pimentel, a Brazilian journalist, recently described the new addition to Zenit St. Petersburg, defender Nino, who joined the club from Fluminense. He highlighted what makes the young stopper stand out while also noting aspects that might be considered drawbacks. His assessment offers readers a clear view of Nino’s potential impact at the Russian club, reflecting the analysis commonly shared by Euro-Football.Ru.
According to Pimentel, Nino’s height gives him an edge in one-on-one duels and makes him a dangerous presence during set pieces near the opponent’s goal. The journalist also praised the defender’s football intellect, noting his ability to control the tempo of play and his solid passing range. While acknowledging the speed question, Pimentel emphasized that Nino is not slow by any stretch. His height can be a slight constraint, yet he compensates with calm movement, strong positioning, and smart decisions, which helps him stay competitive in high-speed moments.
Nino’s career path has drawn interest from Europe beyond Zenit. He was linked with a move to the English Premier League, specifically with Nottingham Forest, but negotiations over how the transfer would be structured did not reach an agreement with Flu. The defender’s achievements include winning the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense in 2023. In domestic competition, Fluminense finished in seventh place in the Brazilian Championship that season.
In the Russian league, Krasnodar has emerged as a leading force after 18 rounds, tallying 38 points and paving the way for a tight race. In the 18th round, Krasnodar edged CSKA Moscow 1-0, while Zenit sits in second place with 36 points, followed by Dinamo Moscow with 32. The championship schedule points to a return in March 2024, with Krasnodar set to host Rubin Kazan in the 19th round. Lokomotiv Moscow sits close behind in fourth with 31 points.
In other news, Sergei Semak faced questions about his approach to working with younger players, a topic that has sparked ongoing discussion about the club’s development strategy and the integration of rising talent into the first team.
Attribution: Euro-Football.Ru