Manu Sánchez, following the path of Antonio López

Manu Sanchez fulfills, at 21, his second assignment in Osasuna. The left-handed side of Atlético returned to enroll this summer in the rojillo team, where he left such good feelings last semester on loan, after arriving in the winter market. Osasuna had been stubborn for him at Arrasate’s urging. He first tried it in the summer window and finally got his first loan in January. Manu Sánchez played 18 games with a good balance for Osasuna of eight victories and four draws, collaborating with five goal passes.

Photo by Manu Sánchez

The beginning of the trajectory of Manu Sánchez keeps a close parallel with the path he traveled Antonio Lopez just under two decades ago. At that time, the formula for the transfer to Osasuna was a definitive step for him to later become one of the historic captains of Atlético. The Alicante player established himself as a First Division player under Javier Aguirre. Now, Manu Sánchez increases his performance thanks to the guidelines of a Jagoba Arrasate that gives him all the confidence.

“It gives him a lot of freedom, he lets him be him in attack and squeezes him to improve in defense”, his closest confess, noting his evolution. By faith you are succeeding. He is the third Osasuna player in duels won and the first in tackles carried out, with a 56% success rate. In addition, he is the first of the team in pressure actions every ninety minutes, among the players who have played more than one hundred. Manu is hardening and maturing thanks to his assignment in Osasuna. Under Arrasatate’s tutelage, the work started by Simeone is being completed.

Key passes in Osasuna.

Manu arrived as a well-footed defender, elegant, with precision in the center, instinct to attack and a great sense to combine and join. But, every day it is more complete. His offensive character was already well proven, but some numbers contributed by Besoccer serve to see how his repertoire multiplies. Collaborate closely in sharpening the team’s attacks. He is the third best Osasuna footballer in terms of key passes. Passes that end on the occasion or shot of a partner. Five key passes, which represents almost 13% of the entire team, only behind Brasanac and Roberto Torres. In addition, precisely, together with Osasuna 10, he leads the assists chapter. The winger has distributed two this season, like Roberto Torres, of the eight goal passes that Osasuna has in his locker.

Assists in Osasuna.

What do Atlético think? Improve the data of the rojiblancos sides

Next week the rojiblancos fans will have the opportunity to take a look at it. Osasuna travels to the Metropolitano and Manu, although he is on loan, can play this match. At Atlético, as in the case of Grbic, Andrea Berta is very vigilant. Very interested in his growth and with plans that in the future he will be a footballer for Atlético. Nobody is aware that, in addition, their data improves in many aspects those that Lodi and Carrasco they exhibit when they have played in that position. The comparison is quite favorable to the now red, as seen in the graph of BeSoccer.

Comparison between Manu Sánchez, Lodi and Carrasco acting as a left back.

Equal with Lodi in assists, every 90 minutes with 0.22 and the Brazilian offers more successful centers and key passes. As for dribbling, there Carrasco exhibits his skills as a dribbler. However, from there, a winning Manu almost always comes out. In progressive passes and, strikingly, in defensive duels won, with 6.48 to 4.52 from Lodi and 1.92 from Carrasco. In addition, the Osasuna has more interceptions and recoveries in rival field. He is more dribbled every ninety minutes than the current rojiblancos full-backs, but it is no less true that he has a higher percentage of success in winning defensive duels. 67% by 56% from Lodi and 46% from Carrasco.

His good footing is also noticeable in the success in the centers, with 45%, 39% from Lodi and 26% from Carrasco. Finally, he is also the winner in aerial duels, slightly above the Brazilian. Its evolution has also been noticed by the National Team. Manu has been on the U21 roster for matches against Malta and Russia.