• Aboubakary Koita has become a standout player in the Belgian Pro League, 2023/24 season.
• Under coach Thorsten Fink, Koita has been pivotal in Sint-Truiden's attacking success.
• His evolution from a defensive role to a key offensive player illustrates his adaptability and skill.

The 2023/24 season has been nothing short of transformative for Aboubakary Koita at Sint-Truiden. The arrival of Thorsten Fink has seen the Belgian-born Mauritania international transition into an advanced role, drastically improving his attacking output.

With 13 goals and significant contributions across the board, Koita's performance is a testament to both his development and Fink's tactical acumen. This analysis delves into Koita's progression, highlighting the tactics that have facilitated his emergence as one of the league's premier talents.

How has Thorsten Fink unleashed Aboubakary Koita's potential?

Fink's strategy contrasts sharply with the defensive approach of Koita's previous seasons under Bernd Hollerbach. With a shift towards a more possession-based game, averaging 56.1% ball possession and adopting a formation that allows Koita to operate in more threatening positions, his attacking metrics have seen a dramatic improvement. Notably, Koita's engagement in dribbles, progressive runs, and shots on goal has skyrocketed, positioning him as a leading figure in these categories within the league.

What has been the key to Koita's transformation?

Koita's ability on the ball stands out. Leading in 1v1 encounters, dribbles, and progressive runs, he has been central to Sint-Truiden's offensive strategy. His average of 9.05 dribbles per 90 minutes with a 60.6% success rate underlines his effectiveness in breaking down defences. Furthermore, his role in Fink's system has maximised his impact, demonstrating the importance of tactical positioning in unlocking a player's potential.

Koita's heatmap under Bernd Hollerbach 2022/23

As you can see in the heatmap below, under Hollerbach, Koita remained closer to the touchline, and was utilised more conservatively. Instead of breaking forward to overlap on the left flank, or moving more centrally, Koita was required to work much more defensively in Hollerbach's system, and was not valued enough for his attacking qualities.

Koita's heatmap under Thorsten Fink 2023/24

This season however, you can see that Fink has given Koita much more freedom. Koita has been trusted both for his attacking qualities and for his ability to track back to help his team out defensively.

How does Koita fit into Sint-Truiden's tactical setup?

Under Fink, Sint-Truiden employs a formation that allows Koita to operate closer to the opposition's goal, maximising his attacking prowess. His positioning and movement have been key to exploiting spaces behind defensive lines, with Fink's tactics emphasising ball possession and progressive play. Koita's role is pivotal in this system, acting as a primary outlet for attacking transitions and set pieces.

Aboubakary Koita attacking stats

Koita's attacking output has seen a remarkable improvement, with 13 goals and 2 assists in the Pro League A, and his performance at the Africa Cup of Nations for Mauritania also catching the eye. His shots per game (SpG) stand at 4.1, with dribbles (Drb) at 3.1 per match, showcasing his ability to create and finish chances. The significant uptick in shot-creating actions (SCA) to 130 and goal-creating actions (GCA) to 12 underlines his crucial role in Sint-Truiden's attacking play.

Koita's influence extends beyond goals and assists. His exceptional dribbling ability, with a success rate of 60.6%, and his participation in build-up play are central to Sint-Truiden's attacking strategy. His ability to retain possession under pressure and initiate attacks makes him a key asset for Thorsten Fink's side.

Aboubakary Koita defensive stats

Despite his advanced role, Koita has not shied away from defensive duties. His work rate is evident in his defensive contributions, with interceptions (0.90 per 90) and tackles (1.64 per 90) highlighting his commitment to the team's success on both ends of the pitch.

Where can Koita improve?

Despite his impressive goal tally, Koita's shot selection and decision-making in the final third could be refined. With a large portion of his attempts coming from outside the penalty area, increasing his efficiency in more advantageous positions could elevate his goal-scoring Thorsten. Moreover, enhancing his vision to exploit space better and create opportunities for teammates would add another dimension to his game.

How does Koita compare to Europe's elite attackers?

Aboubakary Koita's scouting stats, when compared with attackers and wingers across Europe's top 5 leagues, reveal a player of remarkable prowess and unique qualities. Particularly eye-catching are his shots total per 90 minutes, which stands at 4.34, placing him in the 99th percentile among his peers.

This stat not only highlights Koita's assertiveness in front of goal but also his ability to create shooting opportunities for himself, a crucial asset for any top-level forward. Additionally, his successful take-ons per 90 minutes at 3.60, ranking in the 99th percentile, underscore his exceptional dribbling skills and ability to beat opponents in one-on-one situations.

These figures, combined with a non-penalty goals rate of 0.39 per 90 (91st percentile), paint a picture of a forward who is not just involved in play but is a significant threat to defences, capable of turning games with individual brilliance.

However, not all aspects of Koita's game are without room for improvement. His assists per 90 minutes stand at a relatively low 0.08, placing him in the 11th percentile, suggesting that while he is a formidable force in scoring, there is potential to develop his playmaking and vision to elevate his contribution to team goals further. Similarly, his touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes at 3.13, which sits in the 38th percentile, indicate that while he is effective in creating and taking shots, increasing his involvement directly within the penalty area could enhance his goal-scoring opportunities and threat level.

Defensively, Koita shows a commendable willingness to contribute, as evidenced by his interceptions per 90 minutes at 0.90 (92nd percentile), showcasing his defensive awareness and ability to disrupt opposition plays. This defensive work rate, combined with a solid 1.64 tackles per 90 minutes (72nd percentile), suggests that Koita offers more than just offensive capabilities, adding a layer of tactical versatility to his game. In conclusion, while Koita excels in dribbling, shooting, and defensive contributions, a focus on improving his playmaking and presence within the penalty area could make him an even more rounded and dangerous attacker in one of football's most competitive environments.

Aboubakary Koita's evolution under Thorsten Fink's guidance is a compelling narrative of tactical transformation. From a defensive role to becoming one of the Belgian Pro League's most dynamic attackers, his journey this season has been remarkable. As Sint-Truiden continues to benefit from his talents, the interest from larger clubs seems inevitable.

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