Italy U21 4-0 Israel U21: Tactical Player Report

Taleb Twatiha

Israel defender Taleb Twatiha (L)

Israel’s 20-yr-old left-back was the pick of the players for the home side. He started off playing on the left-side of the Israeli defence, but constantly ventured forward, whenever possible. Much like the rest of the team, the quickness of his play was superb to watch. Not just his movement, or his pace, or the passes he played; everything about him was pacy and quick, almost at a different level than the rest of the players.

He would often pick the ball in defense and immediately run with it at his feet, taking on the on-coming defenders. Italy usually had to deploy 2-3 players on Twatiha when he attacked from deep. He’d cut inside, take on a midfielder or two, before looking for a quick give and go, which never came. His team-mates were never nearly really at the same wavelength as him.

His blistering pace, matched with his quick feet, make him a good option for a wing-backs role. He displayed his attacking attributes for much of the game, a swift player always looking for the ball down the channels. He did more work as a left-back down the flank than the left-winger himself, in an attacking sense.

His quick pace was also beneficial in a defensive sense, as he was quick to get back from an attacking phase when possession was conceded to the Italians. Off-the-ball, his movement in attacking was commendable, but in a defensive play as well he constantly closed down opponents, albeit leaving a couple of gaps in the process.

It was a shame that Israel were down to 10 men because it restricted Twatiha’s game. He looks like a really unknown raw talent, another one waiting to be unearthed.