PROFILE | Nicolás Tagliafico comes back down to earth in 2023 | OneFootball

2023 wasn’t as memorable as 2022 for Nicolás Tagliafico but it was nonetheless still a solid year for the Argentine full-back, despite his club’s struggles. A World Cup winner in 2022, the following year was always going to struggle to top the most memorable of his career.

Lyon have largely struggled in 2023. With three coaches during the calendar year, a change of ownership and controversy in the boardroom, stability has been hard to come by for Les Gones. However, one symbol of stability has been Tagliafico. A senior member in what is a rather young and inexperienced team beyond two or three players, the former Ajax man has been a mainstay for Lyon throughout 2023 and one of their more reliant performers.

As with most things at Lyon in the calendar year, the defence has changed regularly and lacked consistency. With the departures of Malo Gusto and Castello Lukeba, Tagliafico has had to adapt to irregularity in the backline and has been forced to adopt a leadership role within the backline. This is something that the Argentine has administered well despite a difficult year for his club.

Tagliafico boasts solid defensive numbers in struggling Lyon side

Despite being asked to up his defensive output and workrate due to Lyon’s struggles on the pitch, Tagliafico has still been effective in the final third of the pitch. The Argentina international registered three assists and one goal in the 2022/23 season and has kept that form up this season with a goal and assist during the first half of the season despite Lyon being stuck in the relegation zone for most of the season. Following the immense loss of attacking output from Malo Gusto’s departure to Chelsea, Tagliafico has filled the void somewhat.

Defensively, Tagliafico racks up as one of the most consistent performers in Ligue. OL’s defence has been suspect during 2023, but the World Cup winner is rarely at fault and boasts impressive defensive numbers. The 31-year-old makes 3.57 tackles and interceptions per 90 in a busy backline which lacks any form of consistent partnership at centre back. He also made 0 errors leading to goals during the calendar year displaying that Lyon’s defensive frailties lie elsewhere in defence.

Although not getting any younger, Tagliafico remains a major part of Lyon’s defence and will be crucial to their ongoing relegation battle. With former Crystal Palace defender Jake O’Brien stepping into the limelight with his performances at the latter end of 2023, Lyon’s left side of defence could be crucial to their survival chances in 2024.

GFFN | Liam Wraith