Nico Pieres, youngest of the Pieres brothers, has just joined the Argentine Triple Crown fray with his team La Zeta Kazak having come out on top in the Classification Tournament. We saw him have a great season in the UK with King Power, playing both the Queen's and Gold Cups, reaching the semi finals in both only to lose out on both occasions to La Dolfina Great Oaks.
Well placed on the field, he uses the backseat position to his advantage to watch closely, visualise and anticipate the plays in front of him. He is then able to use his strong ride off, speed and ball control skills to intercept, steal and create positive, attacking plays off the back of any mistake or loose ball from his opponents, making quick ground by dribbling or sending long lofted passes upfield to waiting teammates.
The team dynamic lent heavily on Pablo MacDonough as goal scorer (scoring 66 out of the team's total 128 goals across the 2 tournaments copared to Nico's 36), using Nico's defensive skills as back to minimise goal scoring opportunities for opposing teams and making the most of his ability to switch defensive plays into attack. Credited with 49 throw ins won, he is a master of the melee, quick onto any opportunity before he moves the ball up the field for his teammates to take on while he resumes his position keeping the back door shut.
He excels in areas including:
Check out this video showing Nico Pieres doing what he does best: