'A Striker of Sacrifice'

This article also featured in the 2019 GFFN 100.

While Dario Benedetto’s move to Marseille may have been a surprise, the fact that his career has blossomed as it has verges on the miraculous. Having quit football as a 12 year old after his Mother tragically passed away following a heart attack at one of his youth games, Benedetto quit school as a teenager to become a bricklayer with his father. Not even owning a pair of football boots at 16, just over twelve years later Benedetto was incredibly scoring in a Copa Libertadores final and on his way to Marseille.

Now 29, it took a while for European clubs to even take notice of Benedetto, rarely do South American players emerge as transfer targets for big European clubs so late in their career. As a result the Argentine top flight is made up of exciting young starlets, older returning heroes and host of average players in between. Benedetto, however, has proven to be a rare exception.

After the shock death of his Mother, Benedetto was eventually offered a route back into the game by Arsenal de Sarandi at 16. Following loans at Defensa y Justica and Gimnasia In Primera B, Benedetto eventually found a home in Mexico after 12 goals in 36 games in the 12/13 season back with Arsenal. In less than three years at Tijuana then Club America, Benedetto struck 49 times in 111 games and alerted Boca Juniors.

Benedetto settled quickly at La Bombonera in 15/16; his intense, powerful style suited to Boca’s equally gritty ethos. His first full campaign saw 24 goals in 28 games and propelled Benedetto into the national side, somehow squeezing through the tightest of bottlenecks that is the door to the Albicelste’s crowded front line and four caps in 2017.

After goals in each leg of the mammoth Copa Libertadores final, and eventual defeat, against perennial rivals River Plate last November, and a creditable overall Boca record of 45 in 75, 2019 didn’t start well. Despite another Argentina call up, wastefulness characterized Benedetto’s game after a stuttering return from long injury issues, including ACL damage, in 2018.

Partly as a result, upon Benedetto’s 14m Euro arrival at the Velodrome, skepticism was rife. Despite high profile Libertadores strikes his stock had decreased, Marseille’s lack of funds necessitated the need to gamble on Benedetto and his lack of European experience and it was assumed that the Argentine’s skill-set was too similar to fellow striker Valere Germain, who has enjoyed only fleet success leading OM’s attack.

With Andre-Villas Boas set to deploy a 4-3-3, much as previous coach Rudi Garcia often had, Germain often became isolated and he lacked the ability to hold up play or to act as a focal point. As proven by far more productive spells at Monaco and Nice, the slight Germain is far more effective with a partner.

Benedetto however has shown that his hunger, his bullishness and greater physically allows him to lead the line astutely whether in scoring form or not. “I always play with the heart,” the striker explained to OM’s website. “You have to win the love of the fans. It does not only work by telling the camera, it must be proven in every game by giving your life for the jersey." With Benedetto leading the way those around him improved too; Dimitri Payet, Bouna Sarr and Nemanja Radonjic all looking dangerous this season.

After fitness affected form during his final months at La Bombonera, Benedetto finally looks fully fit and a more clinical edge has returned. However, while clear chances are rarely missed, the more stoic and physical French top flight allows far fewer chances, something Benedetto highlights, and a steady stream of goals is yet to truly coalesce.

Having woefully skyed a late penalty on his full debut at Nantes in August, mirroring his Boca debut, Benedetto contributed 4 goals in the next 3 games. Clever interplay with Bouna Sarr and Sanson saw Benedetto round off a swift counter for the only goal against St Etienne, a snap volley opened the scoring for a 2-1 win at Nice before a neat brace at Monaco completed a stunning OM fightback in a 4-3 victory.

Where Germain’s technical ability makes him a solid finisher, Benedetto adds a poacher’s nous, intelligent movement and the instinct of a loan striker. However, although his importance to the efficiency of AVB’s side remains obvious having fostered a key understanding with his partners, since that Autumn burst of goals clear openings have been rare for Benedetto; adding just two more strikes in his next 11 games. He has work yet to do.

Dario Benedetto describes himself as "a striker of sacrifice" meaning, much as he did Boca Juniors, he fits Marseille perfectly, both in style and in attitude. Benedetto will only continue to sacrifice everything he can for his shirt, his teammates and their supporters. It’s all he knows. Crucially, without a trophy since 2012, in an era of dour football, lesser seen owners and fan unrest, OM’s passionate forward could also finally prove the catalyst for harmony and sustained success at the Velodrome.

by Adam White

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