Sebastián Driussi to Austin FC – Winger from Russia with love | OneFootball

Manuel Veth –

It was a significant transfer by Major League Soccer standards. On Jul. 29, expansion side Austin FC announced that they had signed Argentine winger Sebastián Driussi. According to Transfermarkt, the MLS club paid $7 million for the 25-year-old Argentine. A significant signing considering that his former Russian club Zenit paid $16.5 million to River Plate in 2017.

“Sebastián is a phenomenal and versatile player who will elevate our attack and make us more dangerous going forward,” Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff said at a club statement. “We’ve had our eye on him for quite some time. We are confident that Sebastián’s international experience and pedigree will raise the level of our entire group and help us compete for a playoff spot this season.”

Driussi has since made his MLS debut, playing 29 minutes in the Texas-derby against FC Dallas (0-2). In best usa online casino sites fashion, derbies are always a heated affair and in MLS you never quite know where the ball is going to end up. Austin FC certainly did hope that the forward would have an immediate impact but it was not meant to be and Driussi could not help his side overturn a 2-0 deficit.

But just like it is the case in casino en ligne games. Driussi will have a second opportunity soon. Austin will travel to Utah where the Verde will face Real Salt Lake City. Perhaps head coach Wolff will even give Driussi the start. One major question for Austin fans, however, has been where on the pitch should Driussi feature?

The forward is certainly not a typical number 9. Instead, the 25-year-old has stated himself that he feels most comfortable playing on the wing. But there is no denying that the Argentine is also highly effective playing in a number 9 role. Driussi has played 85 games in his career as a left-winger and scored 15 goals and 12 assists. In comparison, playing as a number 9, the Argentine has scored 24 goals and nine assists in 84 games.

Ultimately, there is no denying that the forward would be an asset in either position. That, in turn, gives head coach Josh Wolff significant flexibility. The Austin FC bench boss could deploy Driussi in a formation with two forwards, with Driussi playing off a number 9, playing him as part of a 4-3-3 or even as a single striker up top.

Either way, Driussi will be a significant upgrade to current options in the lineup. Whether it is wingers Cecilio Domínguez or Diego Fagúndez. Both are nominal left-wingers. Driussi could also help take the pressure off new signing Moussa Djitté. On a personal level, Driussi will want to forget a complicated Russian Premier Liga season in which he scored just one goal and three assists in 16 games. For him, MLS will be an opportunity to resurrect a career that once made him a $16.5 million-rated player.

Manuel Veth is the editor-in-chief of the Futbolgrad Network and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth