Pablo Piatti Explained

Pablo Piatti
Fullname:Pablo Daniel Piatti[1]
Birth Date:31 March 1989[2]
Birth Place:, Argentina
Height:1.64 m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Estudiantes
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2002–2003
Youthclubs1:Jorge Newbery
Youthyears2:2003–2006
Youthclubs2:Estudiantes
Years1:2006–2008
Caps1:49
Goals1:13
Years2:2008–2011
Caps2:101
Goals2:20
Years3:2011–2017
Caps3:110
Goals3:15
Years4:2016–2017
Clubs4:Espanyol (loan)
Caps4:30
Goals4:10
Years5:2017–2020
Caps5:53
Goals5:3
Years6:2020
Caps6:17
Goals6:4
Years7:2021–2022
Caps7:19
Goals7:0
Years8:2022–
Caps8:41
Goals8:2
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:18:21, 27 July 2024 (UTC)

Pablo Daniel Piatti (born 31 March 1989) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Estudiantes de La Plata. He operates mainly as a left winger, but can also play as a forward.[3]

He spent the vast majority of his career in Spain after starting out at Estudiantes, appearing in 313 La Liga matches over 14 seasons and scoring a total of 48 goals for Almería, Valencia, Espanyol and Elche. He also represented Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, having signed in 2020.

Piatti was capped once for the Argentina national team, in 2011.

Club career

Estudiantes

Born in, Córdoba of Italian descent,[4] Piatti was a product of Estudiantes de La Plata's youth ranks. He made the headlines when coach Diego Simeone gave him his first opportunity against Newell's Old Boys on 18 November 2006, as the player was just 17. He scored the winning goal (2–1) deep into injury time, and became one of the heroes of Estudiantes' championship-winning team.[5]

Piatti made the side's starting eleven in the 2007 Clausura tournament, alongside José Luis Calderón, José Sosa, and Juan Sebastián Verón.

Almería

After making 60 appearances in all competitions for Estudiantes in two years, Piatti was sold to UD Almería in Spain for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of 7 million.[6] [7] Initially an undisputed starter, notably netting in a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid,[8] he struggled after the arrival, midway through his first season, of Mexican coach Hugo Sánchez.

In the 2009–10 campaign, without the presence of striker Álvaro Negredo, Piatti was much more depended upon in scoring matters and netted seven times in 35 matches, joint-second in the team as they finished in 13th position.[9] On 23 September 2009 he opened and closed the scoresheet in a 2–2 draw at Atlético Madrid[10] and, in the second La Liga match between the two teams, netted a last-minute winner (1–0).[11]

Valencia

On 5 July 2011, Almería and Valencia CF reached an agreement for the transfer of Piatti, with the player signing a five-year contract for a fee of €7.5 million.[12] [13] He struggled to reproduce his previous form during most of his first season with the Che, but did feature in 47 official matches.[14]

Piatti scored his first official goal for Valencia on 19 January 2012, netting the 3–1 in the 45th minute of an eventual 4–1 home victory over Levante UD in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.[15] He added another two in the second leg (3–0).[16]

After Jordi Alba and Jérémy Mathieu developed an efficient left-wing partnership, Piatti was used inconsistently by managers Mauricio Pellegrino, Ernesto Valverde and Miroslav Đukić, also struggling with some injury problems.[14] He was transferlisted against his will by the latter in the summer of 2013.[14]

After the dismissal of Đukić due to poor results, however, new boss Juan Antonio Pizzi showed faith in his compatriot Piatti, who repaid the former's confidence by finishing 2013–14 with five league goals from 17 appearances, one of those coming in a 3–2 win at FC Barcelona.[17] [18]

Following the purchase of the club by businessman Peter Lim,[19] Piatti continued being a key player under Nuno Espírito Santo, being dubbed Pablito by the manager.[20] [21] [14]

Espanyol

Piatti was loaned to RCD Espanyol for one year on 16 July 2016, with a buyout clause.[22] The following 24 May, after scoring a career-best ten goals to help his team to the eighth position, he signed a permanent three-year deal with the club.[23]

In February 2019, during a home match against Rayo Vallecano, Piatti suffered an injury to both his right knee's anterior cruciate and internal lateral ligaments, going on to be sidelined for several months.[24]

Toronto FC

In February 2020, Piatti moved to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer as a Designated Player, signing a one-year deal.[25] [26] Later that month, however, he was ruled out of the opening of the season after picking up a hamstring strain in training.[27] He made his debut on 13 July, in a 2–2 draw against D.C. United in the group stages of the MLS is Back Tournament.[28] He scored his first two goals on 18 August, in a 3–0 home win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in his side's first match since the return of the regular season.[29] [30]

The team declined their option to extend Piatti's contract on 30 November 2020.[31]

Elche

Piatti returned to the Spanish top division on 6 March 2021, joining Elche CF.[32] He scored his only goal on 6 January 2022, in the 2–1 away defeat of Almería in the Spanish Cup.[33]

Return to Estudiantes

On 14 June 2022, the 33-year old Piatti returned to his former club Estudiantes, on a deal until June 2024.[34]

International career

Shortly after making his senior debut for Estudiantes, Piatti was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. The youngest player in the roster, he managed to play six of seven games.[35] [36]

On 5 June 2011, Piatti made his debut for the senior side, as national team boss Sergio Batista handed him a start in a 2–1 friendly loss with Poland.[37]

Style of play

A talented, skilful and diminutive player with an eye for goal, Piatti is capable of contributing to his team's offensive play by both scoring and assisting goals; moreover, he can shoot with either foot, despite being naturally left–footed. Normally a winger, he is also able to play as a forward, but he has even been deployed in a deeper, more creative role, behind the main striker. He usually plays on the left side of the pitch, although he can also play on the right flank. A dynamic, explosive and fleet–footed attacker, he is known for his turn of pace, which along with his dribbling technique enables him to get past opponents and make runs into the penalty area. Regarded as a promising player in his youth, his playing style was initially likened to that of compatriot Lionel Messi.[38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]

Career statistics

Club

[44]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estudiantes2006–07Argentine Primera División1750000175
2007–0832800100428
Total4913001005913
Almería2008–09La Liga31521336
2009–1035710367
2010–11358624110
Total101209311023
Valencia2011–12La Liga30273101476
2012–131413020191
2013–141753092297
2014–1528720307
2015–1621061101372
Total1101521431416223
Espanyol (loan)2016–17La Liga3010103110
Espanyol2017–18La Liga30210312
2018–1920161262
2019–2030202070
Total5339120644
Toronto FC2020Major League Soccer17[45] 4002[46] 0194
Elche2020–21La Liga900090
2021–2210031131
Total19031221
Career total379654394342046777

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina201110
Total10

Honours

Estudiantes

2006 Apertura[5]

2023[47]

2024[48]

Argentina U-20

2007[35]

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – List of Players. FIFA. 1. 5 July 2007. 10 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000046/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2007/pdf/FWYC_2007_SquadLists.pdf. 31 December 2013.
  2. News: Pablo Piatti. Eurosport. 28 July 2020.
  3. Web site: FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Chile vs. Argentina – Semi Final Preview. Fox Sports. Bobby. McMahon. 18 July 2007. 2 December 2007. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080302025123/http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/BobbyMcMahon/Pablo_Piatti/77134. 2 March 2008.
  4. News: Piatti depende de Salvio. Piatti depending on Salvio. Mundo Deportivo. Javier. García Gómara. es. 25 June 2011. 19 August 2020.
  5. Web site: A 12 años del memorable campeón del Apertura 2006. 12-year anniversary of the memorable Apertura 2006 champions. Estudiantes LP. es. 13 December 2018. 29 July 2020.
  6. News: El Almería se hace con Piatti, el nuevo Messi. Almería get Piatti, the new Messi. Diario AS. Juan A.. Heredia. es. 22 May 2008. 29 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Almeria win Piatti race. Goal. Luís. Mira. 18 June 2008. 12 April 2011.
  8. News: El conformismo del Madrid le pasa factura en Almería (1–1). Madrid's conformity takes a toll in Almería (1–1). 20 minutos. es. 2 November 2008. 29 July 2020.
  9. News: Kalu Uche y el trío Soriano-Crusat-Piatti, la clave del gol. Kalu Uche and the trio Soriano-Crusat-Piatti, the key to goal. Diario de Almería. Paco. Gregorio. es. 13 May 2010. 28 July 2020.
  10. Web site: Piatti leaves it late for Almeria. ESPN Soccernet. 23 September 2009. 11 May 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024224308/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275622?cc=5739. 24 October 2012.
  11. Web site: Almeria burst Atletico bubble. ESPN Soccernet. 21 February 2010. 11 May 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024224314/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275738?cc=5739. 24 October 2012.
  12. Web site: Valencia reach agreement for Piatti. VCF Central. Omar. Al-Taie. 5 July 2011. 5 July 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709200305/http://vcfcentral.com/latest-news/valencia-reach-agreement-for-piatti/. 9 July 2011.
  13. News: El Valencia ficha a Piatti. Valencia sign Piatti. El País. Javier. Pérez. es. 6 July 2011. 29 July 2020.
  14. Web site: Pablo Piatti renueva hasta el año 2019. Pablo Piatti renews until the year 2019. Vavel. Pablo. Villa Castilla. es. 6 August 2015. 29 July 2020.
  15. News: El Valencia ahoga al Levante. Valencia drown Levante. Marca. Delfín. Melero. es. 19 January 2012. 26 January 2012.
  16. News: Para Piatti no fue un trámite. Not just another game for Piatti. Marca. Jaime. Rincón. es. 26 January 2012. 26 January 2012.
  17. Web site: Barcelona 2–3 Valencia. BBC Sport. 1 February 2014. 20 April 2015.
  18. News: Pablo Piatti: ´Nunca dejé de confiar en mis condiciones´. Pablo Piatti: ´I never stopped believing in myself´. Super Deporte. es. 11 February 2014. 20 April 2015.
  19. News: Football: Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim gets rousing welcome in Valencia. The Straits Times. Wang. Meng Meng. 28 October 2014. 5 March 2015.
  20. Web site: The resurgence of Valencia CF. Foot and Ball. 21 January 2015. 5 March 2015.
  21. Web site: Pablo Piatti back from the shadows after enjoying Valencia renaissance. Sport 360. Michael. Yokhin. 13 February 2015. 5 March 2015.
  22. Web site: Piatti, nou jugador de l'Espanyol. Piatti, new player of Espanyol. RCD Espanyol. ca. 16 July 2016. 16 July 2016.
  23. Web site: Pablo Piatti signs permanent deal with Espanyol. beIN Sports. 24 May 2017. 24 May 2017.
  24. News: El RCD Espanyol confirma la grave lesión de Piatti. RCD Espanyol confirm Piatti's serious injury. Sport. es. 10 February 2019. 28 July 2020.
  25. Web site: Toronto FC signs Pablo Piatti as Designated Player. Toronto FC. 7 February 2020. 7 February 2020.
  26. Web site: Should Toronto FC exercise their 2021 option on Pablo Piatti's designated player contract?. Waking the Red. Michael. Singh. 25 November 2020. 30 November 2020.
  27. News: Toronto FC's Argentine winger Pablo Piatti sidelined by strained hamstring. Toronto Star. 22 February 2020. 8 April 2020.
  28. Web site: Toronto FC 2, DC United 2 MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap. Major League Soccer. Tom. Bogert. 13 July 2020. 11 October 2020.
  29. Web site: Toronto FC 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 2020 MLS Regular Season Match Recap. Major League Soccer. Ian Nicholas. Quillen. 18 August 2020. 11 October 2020.
  30. Web site: Piatti scores twice as Toronto FC blank Whitecaps. ESPN. 18 August 2020. 11 October 2020.
  31. Web site: Toronto FC decline Piatti's 2021 contract option; look to bring in new designated player. Waking the Red. Michael. Singh. 30 November 2020. 30 November 2020.
  32. News: El Elche ficha a Pablo Piatti. Elche sign Pablo Piatti. Diario AS. es. 6 March 2021. 6 March 2021.
  33. News: Raúl Guti completa la remontada del Elche y le da el pase a octavos. Raúl Guti completes Elche comeback and seals last-16 qualification. Sport. es. 6 January 2022. 23 September 2022.
  34. News: El simpático video de Estudiantes para confirmar la vuelta de Pablo Piatti. The nice video made by Estudiantes to confirm Pablo Piatti's return. Olé. es. 14 June 2022. 11 September 2022.
  35. News: ¿Qué es de la vida de los campeones Sub 20 en 2007?. What happened to the Under 20 champions in 2007?. Olé. es. 22 July 2019. 29 July 2020.
  36. News: Mundial Sub 20: Canadá 2007, la última alegría de la Selección Argentina. Under 20 World Cup: Canada 2007, the last joy of the Argentina national team. Diario Río Negro. es. 17 May 2023. 27 July 2024.
  37. Web site: Second-string Argentina humbled again. ESPN Soccernet. 5 June 2011. 17 June 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607211145/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=316629&cc=5739. 7 June 2011.
  38. Web site: He's not the 'new Lionel Messi', but a very talented boy – why Valencia's signing of Pablo Piatti could be a masterstroke. Goal. Ben. Hayward. 7 July 2011. 8 April 2020.
  39. Web site: Sky Sports scout – Pablo Piatti. Sky Sports. 21 May 2014. 8 April 2020.
  40. Web site: World Soccer 500. World Soccer. 27 March 2015. 8 April 2020.
  41. Web site: Report: Toronto FC assessing Piatti. The Sports Network. 5 February 2020. 8 April 2020.
  42. News: Toronto FC signs veteran Argentine winger Pablo Piatti as third designated player. The Globe and Mail. Neil. Davidson. 7 February 2020. 8 April 2020.
  43. Web site: Toronto FC's new designated player is Pablo Piatti from La Liga's Espanyol. Pro Soccer USA. Caitlin. Murray. 7 February 2020. 8 April 2020.
  44. Web site: P. Piatti. Soccerway. 4 April 2014.
  45. Includes three appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage.
  46. One appearance in the MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, one appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
  47. Web site: Estudiantes, campeón de la Copa Argentina: Carrillo marcó el gol del título contra Defensa y Justicia en la final. Estudiantes, Argentina Cup champions, Carrillo scored the title goal against Defensa y Justicia in the final. TyC Sports. es. 13 December 2023. 31 December 2023.
  48. Web site: 2024-05-05 . ¡ESTUDIANTES CAMPEÓN! Venció a Vélez por penales y se consagró en la Copa de la Liga 2024 . 2024-05-08 . ESPN.com.ar . es.
  49. News: Once ideal de LaLiga para UEFA: 4 del Madrid, 3 del Barça.... UEFA's LaLiga All-Star XI: 4 from Madrid, 3 from Barça.... Diario AS. es. 22 May 2017. 10 June 2017.