RICCARDO SOTTIL: FOCUS AND FUN FACTS | OneFootball

Riccardo Sottil was born on 3 June 1999 in Turin. The son of former footballer and coach Andrea Sottil, football was in the family. During his younger years, Riccardo travelled around Italy, following his father wherever he went.

With football engraved in his DNA, just like his younger brother Edoardo - a central defender for Ragusa - Riccardo's love for the game quickly blossomed: he started playing at the age of five and developed as a player in the youth sectors of Genoa, Torino and Fiorentina. It was at the Viola where he made the step up to Primavera level, and that opened the doors to Serie A, where, to date, he has scored eight goals and provided eleven assists in 123 appearances.

After becoming part of the first-team setup at Fiorentina in the 2017/18 season, Riccardo Sottil made his Serie A debut in September 2018 at the age of 19. In January 2019, he was loaned to Serie B side Pescara, where he scored his first professional goal. He then returned to Fiorentina for the following season, only to temporarily part ways with the Viola again after joining Cagliari on loan. In Sardinia, Riccardo was given playing time and delivered strong performances, scoring twice in 21 appearances. He then headed back to Florence, where Vincenzo Italiano, the new Viola coach, wanted him in his squad. From 2021 to January 2025, Sottil gained playing time in Serie A and on the European stage - in the Conference League - so much so that he made his 100th Fiorentina appearance in February 2024.

An attacking player with fire in his belly, he doesn't fear the spotlight, looking to make a name for himself in Italy and Europe. As a winger, Sottil can be an extra weapon at Conceição's disposal either on the right or left. Equipped with the right characteristics to excite fans and change games, he has great technical ability, poses a threat with his dribbling, is full of running, possesses pace and has a good eye for goal. He is capable of making a big impact out of nowhere, displaying aggression and precision to do so. His trademark move is cutting inside from the left and shooting. He only needs to get a glimpse of goal before unleashing a right-footed effort towards the far post, often from distance.

It's now time for a few fun facts linking Riccardo Sottil to the Rossoneri colours.

HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH FEDERICO GUIDI The coach of Milan Primavera, Federico Guidi, played a crucial role in Riccardo Sottil's development. Guidi, who believed in Riccardo's qualities, brought him into the U19 fold, and together they won the 2017 Primavera Scudetto following a penalty shootout victory over Juventus. Sottil took centre stage on that journey, putting in some fantastic performances and finding the net from the penalty spot in both the semi-finals and the final, where he equalised against the Bianconeri to send the match to extra-time.

NUMBER 7 IDOLS Among Riccardo Sottil's role models since childhood are two names that have captured the hearts of football fans beyond any club loyalty: Alexandre Pato and Stephan El Shaarawy. He shares many qualities with the two former Rossoneri men, including his ability to leave a mark at any moment and drive forward with the ball at his feet.

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