PROFILE | Angelo Fulgini – a scorer of important goals | OneFootball

Angelo Fulgini has never been a prolific goal scorer, but this season has become the scorer of important goals. The forward has only scored twice this season but each strike came in the Champions League as he both raised and closed the curtains for Les Sang et Or’s first foray back into Europe after 20 years, when he scored their first and last goal in the competition.

Lens could not progress into the round of 16, but his goal against Sevilla in the final matchday of the group stages was enough to secure European football into this year, as Lens qualified for the Europa League playoffs.

Fulgini, since his loan move from FC Mainz last January, which was made permanent in the summer, has become an important part of the exciting project at Lens. His strike rate certainly leaves room for improvement but under manager, Franck Haise, his commitment to the team’s hard-pressing endeavours underscores why he has been a valuable addition.

In possession, the forward represents one of the best options for the team when looking to carry the ball forward. According to FBref, Fulgini has the third most progressive carries for the team having recorded 26.

Despite this, the attacker is selfless in all aspects of the game, as he plays with a mentality that looks to constantly create for others… and sometimes this leads to opportunities for his opposition: leading the team in mis-controls (24) and dispossessions (19).

Fulgini fails to establish himself as first-choice

Perhaps the biggest issue for the forward has been his inability to put himself before Adrien Thomasson as the first-choice left-sided inside forward, with the two players generally sharing that role across this season. The limitations in both players’ games mean that neither has been relied upon as the obvious starter and before the winter break David Pereira da Costa was introduced as an alternative to the two.

The fact that Lens remains in Europe means that there is still a need for Lens to rotate their players, and with more opportunities, there will be a greater opportunity for the forward to attempt to put himself higher up the pecking order.

Regardless, even if Fulgini does not become the first option on the team sheet at Lens, he represents a great option to turn to, and if he can keep up this knack of scoring important goals then perhaps in those crucial moments his name will be picked.

GFFN | Nick Hartland