Fast and ‘does it all’, Buta can reshape São Paulo’s right: pros and cons | OneFootball

* By contributor Alex Pimenta

São Paulo has been looking for targeted reinforcements as requested by head coach Dorival Júnior. So far, the club has signed forward Victor Sá, defensive midfielder Newton and center-back Domingos Duarte.

But Tricolor did not stop there and is making moves in the market with very advanced talks with Angolan-born Portuguese right-back Aurélio Buta, 29.

Buta is best known for his spell at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and also for playing as a wing-back in systems with three center-backs. He is a player with pace, intensity, and strong physical capacity to cover the entire right flank.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR will break down for you the strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics of the possible Tricolor signing.

Strengths:

Speed * This is his main trait. He has excellent acceleration and defensive recovery.

Support in attack * He likes to overlap the winger, get to the byline, and provide width for the team.

Dribbling at speed * He can win many one-on-one duels using explosiveness and changes of direction.

Versatility * He can play in different roles on the right side, even as an attacking winger, making tactical adjustments during the match easier.

Intensity * He is heavily involved in the game, pressing high and maintaining a good tempo throughout the 90 minutes.

Aerial game * At 1.72 m, he struggles against tall attackers on set pieces and crosses.

Physical strength * He is not a physically imposing full-back. He can lose shoulder-to-shoulder duels against stronger players.

Decision-making in the final third * At times he gets forward well, but makes the wrong choice between crossing, passing, or carrying the ball.

Consistency * One of the main questions throughout his career has been his difficulty maintaining a high level over several consecutive matches.

Defensive cover * When he pushes too far forward, he can leave space behind him, requiring cover from the defensive midfielder or center-back.

Tactical characteristics:

* Ideal for teams that play with a high line and attack-minded full-backs. * He performs better when he has freedom to attack than in an extremely defensive system. * In a back five, he tends to maximize his best traits, since he gets protection from a third center-back.

Aurélio has versatility in his DNA, a profile approved by the Tricolor coaching staff, and as a free agent he has become an easier target for negotiation within São Paulo’s financial range.

Compared to the full-backs already in the squad, Buta offers more explosiveness and speed than most of São Paulo’s options. On the other hand, he does not have as much physical presence, nor is he as defensively reliable in matches with a lot of aerial battles.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR assessment:

If São Paulo is looking for a full-back to add intensity to the attack and increase depth on the right side, Aurélio Buta would be an interesting signing, especially if used in an attacking setup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.