Player Review
94 - TOTS
Like most other people I first looked at this and see 63 strength and 5ft5 and think its unusable but I sunk most of my coins into the Aouar SBC and only had 100k left and needed either a French/Ligue one option for CDM so went for Verrati and I am absolutely delighted that I did.
All my games with him were rivals or the really sweaty TOTS WL so I’m confident he works! I put shadow on him to get acceleration to 98 as there is no point touching his strength as it wont make any difference, with shadow he has 99 on all defending except heading accuracy which makes no difference as he isnt winning one anyway. Adding 99 aggression and his tackling and interceptions are amazing and he made loads of really important tackles for me in WL.
I dont know how relevant the 88 positioning stat is defensively but I’ve used prime Keane, Petit, Makele and UCL Kondogbia and he’s way better than all of them at being in the right place to make an interception. When I switch to him he always seems to be moving the right way, I always found with keane he was just standing still and I’d have to start the movement.
With 99 vision and 99 short and long passing he is sensational at starting attacks as a playmaker as well, he’s gotten me 10 assits in 50 games from CDM mainly with exceptional through balls on the counter. With great composure and weak foot he helps keep the ball amazingly and helps take the pressure off when facing full press later in games.
The thing for me that sets this card apart from other CDM’s is the dribbling stats, most other CDM’s are really low in this area but he has 94 agility, 99 balance, 92 reactions, 95 control, 98 dribbling and 99 composure plus 4 star skills and 4 star weak foot which is as good as any CAM on the game. As everyone is spamming 2 player press the ability to be agile and move quickly, turn and then pick a pass is really important now. With L1 dribbling, quick turns, body feints or la croqueta in my own half hes sensational at keeping the ball and drawing opponents in before starting an attack.
I didnt really notice the lack of strength, I dont think it really works that well as a stat as balance and reactions seem to counter it which he has so hes winning the ball with him against stronger players anyway
Dont be tempted to shoot with him ever, if you end up through on goal just try the low drive as it’s the only way I’ve scored with him but he’s missed some absolute sitters for me so if you want a midfielder to provide a goal threat then don’t get him.
His height can be an issue for headers off corners so you will probably want some height elsewhere in midfield to compensate but its not been an issue for me
95k for me is a steal for this card
dribbling
passing
interceptions
positioning
height
shooting