Reviews

88 - Icon

5.0

The complete defender

By goncalopolicarpo, 15-02-2021

I got him from the swaps icon pack. I have to admit at the time I didnt know how to feel, its freaking Maldini but at the same time a left back Maldini, I was confused. So at first I said f*** it and played him as a left back for many game with a shadow and he did his thing. If you plan on playing him there he will get the job done for you, I guarantee, I feel like he can play any position in defense including CDM, just dont attack with him.

This review will be about his performance in a different position though. I have used Maldini for 100 games, where he has played both as a LB and a CB, including weekend league of course.

When I packed future stars Reece James and considering I already had Klaiber, that meant one of my Fullbacks would have to play CB, and considering one of those fullbacks is Paolo mothereffin Maldini, it just felt right to play him on what is his real position, Centerback.

I play Maldini on 10 chem with an anchor as a Centerback, next to Gomez, with Klaibar as my RB and Reece as my LB, on a 4-4-2 formation.

This man is a beast, his pace coupled with his defensive stats, workrates and physical stats (with anchor), make him as good as any other CB in the game, or at least thats how he feels when I use him.

Pace- Fantastic Pace for a CB, 92 pace with an anchor and he doesn't have one of those weird pace splits with low acceleration and high sprint speed, he has balanced acceleration and sprint speed, which feels just right. He will catch up with attackers if he isn't in a terrible position, which usually he isn't. So fast you can even cover the wings if your fullbacks get caught off position. Just a super mobile Centerback overall that can cover any area of the first third of the pitch.
Passing- His passing is weirdly good. Probably because of the 88 composure and 4 star week foot, I hardly ever miss a pass, even if he is under pressure or not facing the player he wants to pass to. The 79 long passing means you can also send some 50 yard bombs to your wingers if the right situation presents itself. So yeah, dont be discouraged by his 68 vision, its not noticeable in game.
Dribbling- I know, his ball control and dribbling look bootycheeks, and so does his agility and balance. In game though? He doesnt feel like a truck, he moves well so you can even use his pace to carry the ball and get out of a pressure situation when everyone is marked. Maybe the 84 reactions is what makes him feel more responsive than what his other stats show.
Defending- Its Maldini, what did you expect? As good as anyone in every aspect defensively. Tackling, Intercepting, Marking, Positioning, in the air, he literally does everything right. The 66 agression that gets bumped to 71 with anchor scared me a lot the first time I look at his stats, seems like the one stat that would ruin this card and make him just a shell of his other cards, but I promise I dont notice it in game, he feels like he has 90 agression. Medium/High workrates aswell? Just a monster.
Physical- 92 jumping, 85 stamina, 89 strenght with an anchor. Even though he doesn't look massive, he plays massive, he is strong, he has the endurance to keep up for 90 minutes and the jumping...guys the jumping, I know 92 is great but you don't understand, this mothereffer has 99 jumping in game. He is selected as the main target on corners and he delivers for real. If the keeper doesnt intercept the cross, he is winning the header 9 out of 10 times, and when he does, he is scoring 9 out of 10 times with his 96 heading acc. He isn't even that tall but feels broken on corners. Too bad most players with more than 2 braincells will move the keeper and use keeper that come out for crosses, but for those who don't, its almost guaranteed im getting a free goal, even if his stats wont show it (6 goals in 100 games doesnt seem too impressive, but you have to consider keepers intercept most crosses, I swear when its Maldini versus a Defender in the air and not versus a keeper he wins almost everytime).

No cons. The things that look bad in terms of his stats, don't really manifest themselves in game. I dont notice his lack of agression, I dont notice his lack of agility and I dont notice his lack of vision, so do not get discouraged by those stats, they dont ruin this card. He plays just like a Maldini card should play.

Maybe his price, but I got him for free so I cant tell you he is or isn't worth it for 900k lol, but he does play at the level I would expect of such an expensive player. Maybe there are better options for that price, I dont know, but ill give him 5 star value for money cause he really is a fantastic player in game.

Formation: 442

Position: CB

Games: 100

GPG: 0.06

APG: 0.04

4.5

Overall

4.0

Value

4.5

5.0

Stamina

Pace (9/10)

Shooting (5/10)

Passing (8/10)

Dribbling (3/10)

Defending (10/10)

Physicality (9/10)

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