The analysis: Sergio Vinatea | OneFootball

We return with a new chapter of the series where we analyze the talents of the different teams of The Academy. Óscar Parejo (Juvenil B) first, Adrián Martínez (Juvenil A) second, and Guillermo Trujillano (Juvenil B) to close the podium. This time, we continue with the attackers to talk about a player who has joined the club this season and is gradually making a name for himself: Sergio Vinatea, center forward of Atlético de Madrid C.

Sergio Vinatea (Santoña, Cantabria, 05/05/2007), from Atlético C, was trained in the youth categories of Racing de Santander, a club he is a youth product of and a very, very big fan. It wasn't until the 2021-2022 season that he became part of the youth structure of Villarreal, joining CD Roda. The club, a groguet affiliate thanks to an agreement between both institutions, saw him grow from the base categories to Juvenil A, from where he jumped to the main yellow youth team. Before the jump, he scored 12 goals in 27 División de Honor matches and played 3 matches with the first team in Tercera Federación.

Last season he scored 16 goals between División de Honor and Copa del Rey, playing 2 matches with Villarreal C in Tercera Federación…and from there everything changed. He was considered one of the great gems of the groguet youth system and, in theory, the bet was firm on his figure. But Atlético de Madrid came along, having been following him for some time, and acquired his services for 200,000 euros to play in the second red-and-white affiliate.

The record to date is positive, knowing that it is his first full season in the senior category: 3 goals and 2 assists in Atlético de Madrid C, 2 goals and 1 assist with Juvenil A in the UEFA Youth League. In other words, 5 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches this season. The Cantabrian arrived to stay, make a name for himself, and dream of reaching as far as possible in The Academy.

But…what kind of forward are we talking about? Well, the truth is, due to his height and physique, we might think he is a 'nine' in the area, clumsy, preferring to play with his back to goal, wrestle with defenders, and move in the opponent's area. Nothing could be further from the truth: Although he may seem somewhat slow, the fact is he has much more mobility than those who have only seen him in images might think. He is not the fastest in the world in physical speed, but he is in intelligence to occupy spaces in the final third, act as a midfielder if necessary as seen against Arsenal, has good association with his attacking zone teammates, and most importantly: a goal-scoring instinct.

His brace in the first matchday of Tercera Federación with Atlético C, against RCD Carabanchel, is the best example of what Sergio Vinatea can offer: he moves like a fish in water throughout the area, knowing when and how to attack the intervals between center-backs or between center-back and full-back, is intense in duels, does not skimp on efforts, and has technical resources when it comes to finishing that we must take into account.

His first goal has some help from his teammates, as the individual play by Jesús Barrios is exceptional, and he barely receives the ball without opposition and finishes tightly for the 1-0, but in the continuation of the play, he acts as a wall in a small space, deciding in a few seconds. In the second goal, we can better appreciate his offensive capability: with a toe-poke, at the first touch, by the nearest post of the goal, anticipating the mark of the rival center-back.

Against Arsenal, we saw a quite interesting version of the Cantabrian that left no one indifferent: accustomed to playing with a purer forward like Sergio Esteban both in C and Youth League, he takes charge of stretching the defense and helping in the fluidity and construction of his team's play. Understanding perfectly when to accelerate, when to pause, trying to find the right space to attack with the pass, shot, or runs to break the pressure line, and with a lot of technical quality. I emphasize this because it is something that I consider is much demanded in modern football when we are used to center forwards dedicating themselves exclusively to attacking the area, heading lateral crosses, and resolving in a few seconds (this last one is also a characteristic of his profile).

The reality is that Vinatea cannot be more complete. That day he played with the number 8 and, precisely because of the series of movements he made in the match, he fooled the Atlético fans to the point of making them believe he was a midfielder. To the later astonishment of many, of course, when they were informed that he is a center forward. Amazing.

What can we expect from Sergio Vinatea this season? That he continues to grow. It would be unwise to set a ceiling for him in terms of the number of goals, no matter how good a form he is in. The important thing is that he maintains that growth through minutes and effectiveness in the situations he finds himself in both inside and near the area, and his contribution to the team's play. So far, he is indisputable for Manel Ruano and Ángel Donato. May it continue like this.

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