Nikola Maras – Almeria’s lumbering centre-back

Nikola Maras will sign permanently for Almeria for €1.3 million after a stint on loan playing under five managers as he has proved to be a high-potential centre-back. The issue with Maras, especially under Guti was that he was used as a left-sided centre-back rather than playing on the side of his stronger foot which significantly shackled him in and out of possession. Maras’ experiences this season not only showed the importance of putting players in a position to succeed but also in putting centre-backs on the side of their stronger foot as his performances were significantly better as a right-sided centre-back than as a left-sided centre-back.

Portuguese side Chaves signed him from Rad in 2017 as he had played exclusively in his hometown Belgrade till that point as they will make a profit of €1 million after his sale to Almeria as he has played the second most minutes for the Spanish Second Division side this season. Almeria fans have taken a liking to the defensive stalwart who also played regularly in his first season at Chaves when the side finished in sixth place while in his second season, he was hampered by injury as his side were relegated. Benfica, who have an affinity with Serbian players were also interested in the centre-back who will probably sign a contract with Almeria which will last until 2024.

He has shown signs of being a high-level centre-back but being utilised on the left of a centre-back duo shackles him as he takes longer to distribute the ball in possession. He will normally receive the ball with his left and drive forward to release possession as he will need to readjust his body shape before releasing the ball. At times, he will normally play passes with his right foot as a centre-back not being played on the side of their stronger foot not only affects their ability to release the ball at pace but also their view of the pitch as they will be constrained to passing the ball from an awkward body shape denying them access to certain passes like switching the ball across the pitch and playing deep line-breaking passes in between the opposition lines.

Opposition attackers were able to press him with better opportunities for success as he would drive possession forward, taking time on the ball and slowing down Almeria’s build-up interchanges to then reset his feet to release the ball to the left flank or to an obvious passing option in the next line. An opposition attacker could challenge him to regain possession or the opposition could target him in the pressure phase as they could allow him space to push forward, knowing that his vision of the pitch and ability to hit line breaking passes with pace, precision and power is limited. They would target him by positioning a player in the half-space and in between the centre-backs as they could engage him when he pushes forward to force a tackle, interception or turnover when he releases the ball into the next line.

Deploying a centre-back on the side of his weaker foot is a detail of the game which could be overlooked but from the offensive aspect of having ball-playing centre-backs and teams looking to move the ball at pace in build-up, it has become more integral to modern day football. Maras has struggled when he has been positioned on the wrong side as Almeria have undergone many managerial changes as his performances as a right sided centre-back are night and day from his performances as a left-sided centre-back. He is able to release the ball at a much quicker pace as he feels more comfortable, allowing the ball to roll across his body to his stronger foot as when he pushes up, he works passes through the lines that instigate intricate attacking moves.

On the right side of a centre-back duo, Maras looks more comfortable and forceful as he is less likely to be a liability against opposition pressure, he will work one-touch passes in between the lines while his vision of the pitch is much better. He will thread accurate and well-weighted passes through tight lines of pressure while his distribution from the deeper areas can lead to Almeria creating high quality opportunities in the opposition box. After the turn of the year and the COVID-19 restart, Maras played exclusively as a right-sided centre-back and his ability to be effective in possession grew.

In a match at home to Tenerife, he began the game by receiving a pass from his goalkeeper with two Tenerife attackers pressuring him as he stuttered to symbol that he would look to dribble before threading a pass in between the two attackers and into the next line. He then received a pass to make a directional touch forward and thread a ball through the lines to a teammate just a few moments later. The 24-year-old would continue an impressive start by lobbing a pass over the opposition press and onto the foot of Darwin Nunez. The Serbian centre-back would receive a pass from his defensive midfielder to drive forward and play a pass into the opposition half which led to a quick connection between two attackers in the right zone and a shot on goal. He would then finish his first half by receiving the ball on the halfway line to turn like he would pass back to his goalkeeper before swivelling again to play a pass in between the lines.

Maras is also more comfortable defending in a high-line as a right-sided centre-back as he can push up to regain possession through aerial duels or using his legs to make tackles or interceptions. In his body language and with his audacious passes, it is obvious that the Serbian is more comfortable on the right than he is on the left as he is undeterred by pressure while having the ability to defend in a higher line. The 24-year-old is a leader when he is releasing the ball and instigating Almeria’s attacking moves as his side will normally attract pressure to the left side before working passes to him on the right to allow him to push forward and work the ball in between the lines.

However, Maras is by no means a perfect defender when he is positioned on the right side as he tends to be better defending outside of his box rather than inside his box. He has struggled with balls bobbing in front of him in the box, holding his position instead of attacking the ball which has led to Almeria conceding a few goals this season. He will also need to be cleaner tackler and show a more tigerish nature when attacking the ball in the box. Maras also struggles when forced to defend the wider zones as he can overset his feet and body, allowing the attacker to dribble past him and drive to the by-line leaving him stumbling as he attempts to recover. He will need be more prepared in deciding to show attackers to the by-line or allowing them inside to drive into a congested zone where a midfielder can regain possession.

Maras is certainly talented centre-back who has accumulated high-level games and experience while being a few years away from his peak with a lot to learn to develop into a better all-round defender. Almeria have an ambitious owner who has invested into a plan of getting the side back into La Liga as Maras could grow into a high-level centre-back if he plays another season in the Segunda Division. However, it is imperative that his talents be used at right-centre-back rather than on the left side of defence as he is more authoritative and efficient in that role as not playing him in his best position and giving him a better chance of success greatly limits him.