

Milan Italy 18 March 2003, “G.MEAZZA SAN SIRO ” Stadium, UEFA Champions League 2002/2003, AC Milan – Borussia Dortmund: Rui Costa in action during the match – Image Shutterstock

In football there were few footballing geniuses that can read the pitch better than others. Nevertheless being an attacking maestro requires all the intelligence and awareness a player can get. However Rui Costa is one of the best at filling the role of “Attacking Maestro” but currently Rui Costa’s Name is barely mentioned. How good was Rui Costa actually?



With the emergence of World Class talents in the number 10 position aka Trequartista in Italy during the 1990s Roberto Baggio, George Hagi, and Zinedine Zidane for example, Rui Costa did not get the media exposure that his counterparts got. However Rui Costa and Gabriel Batistuta were the most dominant attacking duo in Italian football in the 90s. However with the fact that Serie A is a defensively sound league Rui Costa never failed to cause trouble to defenders. Even after Batistuta leaving for Roma, Rui Costa never lost a step with his partners Nuno Gomes and Enrico Chiesa. After leading Fiorentina to beat ACMilan 4-0 with scoring a goal and providing 2 assists, Silvio Berlusconi took an interest in the player and signed him to Milan in the summer in 2001.



One of the most inspiring number 10s during that era Rui Costa was always two steps ahead of his opponents. Also Rui Costa always looked like he had an idea about what he is going to do before receiving the ball. Moreover being a maestro and pulling the strings behind every attack requires a lot of intelligence and pitch scanning. Rui Costa was one of the most intelligent and he read the game brilliantly. Rui Costa’s vision was superb he is always aware of his surroundings and usually go for the best play. Rui Costa assist ability is phenomenal he has the most assists in a single season 2002/2003 tied with Pablo Aimar. Also Rui Costa would have amazing performances were he provide 3-4 assists in one game.



Rui Costa had a very unselfish play style where he is always looking for passing opportunities. Also Rui Costa would penetrate the depth and find his teammates with through balls. One the other hand Rui Costa can also dribble or utilize one twos to get to the flanks and cross the ball to his teammates. One of Rui Costa’s signature moves is to have a 1-2 passing with the center forward (Batistuta in Fiorentina or Filippo Inzaghi in Milan) where Rui Costa receive the ball on the flank and cross the ball to the box while the center forward run towards the goal and heads the ball in.

Rui Costa defensive contribution was minimal since he was always at half pitch waiting for the ball to initiate counters. Moreover Rui Costa counter attacks are deadly he could have a brilliant assist or finish the ball himself. Nevertheless Rui Costa have a great finishing skills but he rarely put them to task because he rather pass the ball to a teammate. Also Rui Costa is a remarkable set piece taker with heavy competition back in Milan he took his fair share and was the primary set piece take in Fiorentina.



However Rui Costa did not take much credit back in his time, he heavily impacted with his play style. For example Rui Costa had 3 assists in the 3-2 comeback vs England in Euro 2000. The media was focused on the scorers for Portugal and did not mention Rui Costa that much. By watching replays it appears that some records show less assists than what the replays show. The misreading of stats is caused by the lack of technology or interest. The perception of the media and fans regarding stats is different than the current one since there is a stat for every movement and the technical incline of the sport.



In conclusion, Rui Costa is a solid treqaurtista that could fit in any team. With Kaka and Deco taking his spot at Milan and Portugal respectively Rui Costa remained one of the best players in his time. Currently teams defend the number 10 role, and will be handed more defensive role to cope with other play styles. However Rui Costa remains a all time great and a player with his quality can succeed in any era.