Pio Esposito: A Rising Star’s Goal and Comparisons to Italy’s Great Strikers

After his recent goal for the national team against Estonia, many are wondering which legendary Italian striker the 20-year-old Inter forward most resembles.

A note for readers: we are discussing a chrysalis that has not yet transformed into a magnificent butterfly. Therefore, we must allow it time to grow (and make mistakes) without rushing, following the natural course of development. The protagonist of this story is Pio Esposito: twenty years old, with an imposing physique, a role (that of a center-forward) that ignites people`s imagination and hope, and a future that everyone predicts will be golden. However, in such cases, it`s always best to proceed cautiously and not overburden a young man who, just a year ago, was playing in Serie B. Let`s enjoy his blossoming talent and not ask him to be something he isn`t yet. For now, let`s evaluate what we`ve witnessed, relying on direct experience and the proof of reality, rather than just emotions.

VIDEO: Spalletti: `Pio Esposito? Master of the penalty area. Here`s who he resembles.`

Pio Esposito`s Goal Against Estonia

Let`s start with the goal scored against Estonia: a cross comes in from the left, rather low and tight, and Pio, with excellent timing, strikes it with the outside of his right foot, sending the ball into the far corner. It`s a pure center-forward`s move. To be clear: a move executed by someone who feels comfortable in the opponent`s penalty area, possesses the clarity to choose the right position to evade a defender, and has the courage to attempt a first-time shot. Moreover, a not insignificant detail, the shot was taken on the half-volley. If one doesn`t master the technique, such conclusions wouldn`t even be considered. Esposito knows and applies the fundamentals of football. The action highlights the center-forward`s ability to get free from his marker, creating space for the shot, which already shows a hint of the shrewdness an attacker must possess. While not physically similar, quite the opposite, this skill in being in the right place at the right time was also characteristic of another great Azzurri center-forward: Alessandro Altobelli.

Pio Esposito and the Comparison to Altobelli

`Spillo` (Altobelli`s nickname, meaning `needle`), tall and thin, certainly didn`t possess Pio Esposito`s physical power, but the latter shares with his illustrious `ancestor` the ability to find space in a confined area like the penalty box. It`s true that Altobelli played in a `Jurassic` era of football (and how beautiful it was!), but we must not forget that the basic principles, when in the heart of the opponent`s defense, always remain the same. Pio, like `Spillo,` despite his height, knows how to control the ball and dribble in tight spaces. This is another technical sign not to be underestimated and one that needs further development. Still focusing on what we saw in the Tallinn match, there`s one particular action that stood out. Pio Esposito, during a quick central counter-attack, receives the ball, controls it, and threads it through for a teammate`s run. On another occasion, he attempts the same move near the penalty area. This indicates that the young player has vision, anticipates the development of play, and possesses the qualities to also be a finisher. An attacker who, in our humble opinion, was one of the best to wear the Azzurri shirt and possessed this ability to read the play and invite teammates to make runs, was Roberto Bettega.

VIDEO: Asked about Pio Esposito, Ibrahimovic reacts like this.

The Parallel Between Pio Esposito and Bettega

Bobby-gol, as he was known, is remembered for his magnificent headers (his aerial ability was definitive) or for his back-heel goals (a fantastic one scored at San Siro against Milan), but his best attribute, arguably, was his ability as a forward to link up the entire team`s play. This is evidenced by his drop into a position very close to that of an attacking midfielder in his later career. Now, we are not suggesting that Pio Esposito is exactly like Bettega, because if so, we could consider ourselves set for the next ten years. However, his broad vision of the game reminded us of the great Bobby-gol. In recent hours, after his goal against Estonia, a `guess-the-comparison` game has begun: who does Pio Esposito resemble? Some have mentioned Bobo Vieri, but he probably lacks Vieri`s power and acceleration. Others have brought up Luca Toni, but Pio is perhaps more technical and a better ball-handler. Some have argued, staying within the Azzurri context, that some of his movements recall those of the early Montella; however, even in this case, the physical difference between the two doesn`t allow for a credible comparison.

Pio Esposito: Personality and Courage

The truth is that, at present, it`s difficult to find direct resemblances to other great players from the past, both distant and recent. Esposito has shown the ability to get free in the box that Altobelli possessed, and the vision of an attacker like Bettega. However, it`s important to emphasize that the path to reaching the level of these predecessors is still very long. After all, Pio is only twenty years old, and at that age, he certainly has plenty of time for learning. Meanwhile, and this is another concept to highlight, the young man who played in Serie B last year made his national team debut without flinching and without betraying any particular emotions. He embraced the weight of responsibility and had the courage to try even difficult things, as evidenced by the goal he scored. This means Pio has personality, and that is certainly a point in his favor. Now, he must not get carried away, although coach Gattuso and his Inter coach Cristian Chivu, while praising his qualities, will keep him grounded, as is advisable in such cases. Pio Esposito is a chrysalis; let`s give him time and show the necessary patience for him to become a splendid butterfly flying in the Azzurri sky.