Firmino

Back again with round two of the reviews and we are turning to the Premier League and a FIFA 18 favorite in Roberto Firmino.  I was interested to see if his “good at everything” statistic balance would transfer into a game changer once again in FIFA 19.  Getting started and one look at this card screams “apply HUNTER chemistry style now”, or at least it did to me.  However, I can see a strong argument for HAWK and the fact that by applying this style Firmino would be +19 DEF stats away from the Gullit Gang; for new players to FIFA the Gullit Gang is a term referring to players with 80+ base statistics in all six major categories, look at Ruud Gullit for an example.  So let’s get the ball rolling, Firmino was the shining light in the following squad:

Pace

Maybe I am alone in this idea but I swear there are three types of pace in FIFA 19.  You have insane pull away pace: Mbappe, Messi. Can hardly move pace: Giroud. Then you have everyone else kind of lumped in the middle with only slight differences.  Firmino falls in this middle ground of pace and won’t be blowing anyone away in a dead sprint.  I don’t believe anyone would be buying Firmino with the idea that he will be a speed merchant, but I would not leave him out of plans over his “lack of pace.”  He holds his own for sure.

Pace Rating: 8/10

Shooting

4 STAR WEAK FOOT and 92 FINISHING (with HUNTER) is a potent mix of fire power and at a price tag of 80k you get a lot of bang for your buck.  As I continue to progress with the shooting in this rendition of FIFA I started to see a few quality finishes in this review.  My personal favorite from my video is a timed finish from outside of the box that finds the crossbar and nestles into the bottom of the goal.  It is fair to say that Firmino is a quality shooter and it is not just his shooting that sets him apart, but the fact that he can do so much more.  Two quick facts about Bobby. One: Bobby is one of nine players in FIFA 19 who boasts 4/4 WEAK FOOT/SKILLS has 86+ FINISHING and is under 100k.  Two: Only one other forward has a mixture of +80 SHOOTING and +60 DEFENDING and that is none other than 93 rated Ruud Guillit.  Now I realize that some midfielders have these stats and can change positions, but these are just the facts.

Shooting Rating: 8.5/10

Passing

If you did not read my Mbappé review I am trying something different in that all players with decent passing get a 7.5/10.  This will save time and anguish on these reviews as a whole.  But Firmino does not warrant the 7.5 baseline and in fact he does so much more than the ordinary.  Granted, his 7 assists were highly benefitted from the speed and runs of Mbappé, yet you still have to execute the passes.  I was consistently pleased with the direction, weight, and vision in Firmino’s passes in key areas of the pitch and without fail he finds targets in close spaces.

Passing Rating: 8.5/10

Dribbling

All 80+ DRIBBLING STATISTICS result in a lethal option in and around the box.  I enjoyed the responsive nature of his touches and it allows you to find pockets of space moving with the ball.  For a player standing 5’11 – 181cm he has amazing balance and agility on the ball.  In FIFA 18 these player architypes had massive implications to the way that players implemented their statistics an d   I have noticed this trend continuing in a less drastic fashion in FIFA 19 so far.  Firmino does not seem affected by his player build and if anything his size adds to his ability to protect the ball.

Dribbling Rating: 8.5/10

Defending & Physical

I think that it is worth a quick word on Firmino’s defending capabilities.  I have been experimenting with 4-1-2-1-2 and 4-2-2-2 this FIFA and Firmino was often in the ST position.  It is notable that Bobby does intercept a lot of passes up front and can create considerable havoc.  Additionally, 90 STAMINA means that he can pester opponents for 90+ minutes as well.  But it was when I would bring on a substitute ST and put Firmino in the midfield that I started to really notice his defensive work.  81 JUMPING comes in handy when patrolling the midfield and was also the result of a few headed goals throughout the 20 game trial.  I wouldn’t sleep on Firmino as a possible addition to the selection of attack minded midfielders currently available.

Defending Rating: 7/10
Physical Rating: 8/10

Final Score

Overall: 8.5/10 

Before we jump to the comments and point out in upper case letters that Mbappé and Firmino received the same rating hear me out. Mbappé is an absolute game changer and can rip opponents to shreds no doubt.  He brings to the table speed and goals which are the bread and butter of FIFA success and cannot be overlooked.  But that is where it ends for me.  In Firmino you get a player that has many qualities that can improve your team across the board in different areas.  If I was just to rate Firmino as a ST alone and compare him to Mbappé it is not even an argument and I would score him between 7.5 and 8.  But the fact of the matter is that Firmino is a playmaker, goal scorer, ball winner, and physical presence all wrapped into one.  If and when Bobby receives an inform version of his card it will be terrifying and I can’t wait for it to happen.  Drop some comments and let me know how Firmino has been for you.  Cheers for reading.
 

Game Stats:
 

Game Highlights: