Overview
Nicola Sansone is an Italian professional footballer known for his attacking prowess and versatility. Born on September 10, 1991, in Munich, Germany, Sansone developed through the youth ranks in Germany before embarking on a senior career that has seen him feature prominently in both the Bundesliga and Serie A. Primarily deployed as a forward, Sansone is recognized for his technical skill, close control, and ability to operate effectively from wide positions or as a secondary striker. His career has been marked by consistency in contributing to goal-scoring efforts, whether through direct finishes or by creating opportunities for teammates.
Position
Sansone's primary position is that of a forward, with a strong preference for playing on the left wing, where he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot. However, his adaptability has allowed him to feature across the attacking line, including on the right wing and occasionally as a central attacking midfielder or a false nine. This positional flexibility makes him a valuable asset, capable of adapting to various tactical setups and providing different attacking solutions for his teams.
Nationality
Despite being born in Germany, Nicola Sansone represents Italy internationally. He has progressed through Italy's youth national teams before earning caps for the senior squad. His commitment to the Azzurri underscores his Italian heritage and his desire to compete at the highest international level for his country.
Identity
Nicola Sansone's identity on the pitch is that of an incisive, technically gifted attacker. He is often characterized as a 'playmaking winger' due to his ability to not only score goals but also to create chances through his dribbling and passing. His low center of gravity and quick changes of direction make him a difficult opponent in one-on-one situations, allowing him to penetrate defensive lines and deliver dangerous balls into the box or take shots on goal.
Career path
Nicola Sansone's football journey began in Germany, where he spent his formative years in the youth academy of Bayern Munich. He progressed through their system, playing for Bayern Munich II in the Regionalliga Süd, where he made 32 appearances and scored 2 goals between 2009 and 2011 (Transfermarkt). Despite his potential, he did not break into Bayern's senior squad.
Parma
In 2011, Sansone made the move to Italy, joining Parma FC. Initially, he was loaned to Crotone for the 2011-2012 season, where he gained valuable first-team experience in Serie B, making 37 appearances and scoring 5 goals (Transfermarkt). Upon returning to Parma, he made his Serie A debut in September 2012 and quickly established himself as a regular. He spent two seasons with Parma, featuring in 49 Serie A matches and scoring 7 goals before his next move (Transfermarkt).
Sassuolo
In January 2014, Sansone transferred to Sassuolo (Wikipedia). This proved to be a significant period in his career, as he flourished, becoming a key attacking player for the club. Over two and a half seasons, he made 97 appearances in Serie A, scoring 20 goals and providing numerous assists (FBref). His impressive performances helped Sassuolo secure European qualification for the first time in their history.
Villarreal
His strong form at Sassuolo attracted interest from Spain, leading to a move to Villarreal CF in August 2016 (Transfermarkt). Sansone quickly adapted to La Liga, scoring 7 goals in 32 league appearances in his debut season (FBref). He spent two and a half seasons with the Yellow Submarine, featuring in 66 La Liga matches and scoring 12 goals across all competitions (Transfermarkt).
Bologna
In January 2019, Sansone returned to Serie A, joining Bologna on loan with an obligation to buy (Wikipedia). He became a consistent performer for Bologna, providing experience and attacking threat. During his tenure, he played over 100 Serie A matches, contributing with goals and assists, and was a regular starter for several seasons (FBref). He departed Bologna in 2023.
Lecce
Sansone signed for newly promoted Serie A side Lecce in September 2023 (Transfermarkt). He played a role in their Serie A campaign, providing attacking options and experience to the squad.
Playing style
Nicola Sansone's playing style is defined by his technical proficiency, agility, and offensive creativity. As a forward, he excels in situations requiring intricate dribbling and quick decision-making in the final third. His low center of gravity allows him to maintain close control of the ball, making him adept at navigating tight spaces and evading defenders.
One of his key attributes is his dribbling ability. Sansone often utilizes feints and changes of pace to beat his markers, particularly when cutting in from the left wing onto his stronger right foot. This allows him to open up shooting opportunities or create space for through balls. His dribbling statistics often place him among the higher-ranked players in terms of successful dribbles per 90 minutes in leagues he has played in (FBref).
Beyond dribbling, Sansone possesses a keen eye for a pass and can deliver dangerous crosses into the box. While not a traditional target man, his movement off the ball is intelligent, allowing him to find pockets of space between defensive lines. His shooting technique is also noteworthy; he is capable of striking from distance and often attempts curling shots towards the far post when cutting inside.
Defensively, Sansone contributes with a decent work rate, often tracking back to support his full-back and initiating pressing from the front. While not his primary role, his commitment to the team's defensive shape adds another dimension to his overall contribution. Comparatively, Sansone's style shares similarities with other technically gifted wingers who combine goal threat with creative output, such as a younger Lorenzo Insigne or even a player like Dries Mertens in his wide forward role, given their shared ability to cut inside and shoot.
Achievements & honours
While Nicola Sansone has not accumulated an extensive list of major team trophies, his career has been marked by significant contributions to the clubs he has represented, often playing a pivotal role in their successes and milestones. His time at Sassuolo, in particular, stands out for helping the club achieve its highest-ever league finishes and securing qualification for European competition.
Sansone was an integral part of the Sassuolo team that qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club's history during the 2015-2016 season (Wikipedia). This achievement represented a significant milestone for the club and for Sansone personally, as he was one of their most consistent performers throughout that campaign, contributing with 7 goals in 36 Serie A appearances (FBref).
His individual performances have often been recognized for their quality and impact, particularly during his spells at Sassuolo and Bologna, where he was a key attacking outlet. While specific individual awards are not widely documented, his consistent presence in starting lineups and his ability to influence games underscore his value to his teams.
Below is a summary of team honours:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Sassuolo | UEFA Europa League Qualification | 2016 |
International career
Nicola Sansone has represented Italy at various levels, culminating in appearances for the senior national team. His international journey began with the Italy U19 squad, followed by stints with the U20 and U21 teams.
He made his debut for the Italy U21 team in 2011 and went on to make several appearances, showcasing his talent on the international youth stage. These experiences provided him with valuable exposure to international football and helped him develop his game against peers from across Europe.
Sansone received his first call-up to the senior Italy national team in May 2014 under then-manager Cesare Prandelli, ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, though he did not make the final squad (Wikipedia). His senior international debut eventually came on May 29, 2016, in a friendly match against Scotland, under manager Antonio Conte (FIFA.com). He earned a total of 3 caps for the Azzurri, all coming in friendly matches (Transfermarkt). While he did not score any goals for the national team, his inclusion in the squad at various points highlighted his consistent form at club level and the recognition of his attacking attributes by national team coaches.
Despite not featuring in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship, Sansone's international appearances underscore his standing as a player capable of competing at the highest level. His role for Italy was generally that of an attacking option from the bench, providing pace and dribbling against tired defenses.
What makes Nicola Sansone stand out
Nicola Sansone stands out primarily due to his exceptional blend of technical skill and direct attacking intent. His ability to consistently beat defenders in one-on-one situations, often with a quick burst of pace or a deceptive dribble, sets him apart. This characteristic allows him to disrupt defensive structures and create numerical advantages in the final third.
Another distinguishing trait is his versatility across the attacking line. While most effective cutting in from the left wing, his capability to play on the right or through the center means he offers tactical flexibility, making him a valuable asset for any coach. This adaptability ensures he can always find a role within different systems, contributing goals and assists regardless of his exact starting position.
Finally, Sansone possesses a notable footballing intelligence, often making intelligent runs off the ball to exploit space or linking up effectively with teammates. This combination of individual flair and tactical awareness has been a consistent feature throughout his career in both the Bundesliga and Serie A.
"Sansone is a player who can change a game with a single dribble. His ability to run at defenders and create chances is a real asset." – Former coach Eusebio Di Francesco.