Marcano's Passing Success Rate at FC Porto: A Statistical Analysis
## Marcano's Passing Success Rate at FC Porto: A Statistical Analysis
While centre-backs are rarely judged primarily on their passing, Éder Militão’s predecessor at FC Porto, Felipe Augusto Marcano Pereira (commonly known as Marcano), developed a remarkable reputation for precision from the back during his tenure with *Os Azuis e Brancos*. Analyzing his stats reveals why he was considered such a technically gifted defender. Over multiple seasons anchoring Porto’s defence across different competitions (Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, Champions League), Marcano consistently posted **incredibly high pass completion rates**, often exceeding **90%**.
This wasn't just simple horizontal clearances or short safety passes. Crucially, he excelled in progressing play constructively:
* **Long Ball Efficiency:** His success rate on forward balls—both switched passes diagonally across field and direct long quests to feet—was particularly impressive, frequently hitting **around 70-75% accuracy** on these more ambitious attempts. This became a key outlet to relieve pressure and launch counter-attacks.
* **Buildup Involvement:** Unlike many destroyers who resort to hooking it upfield under pressure, Marcano calmly recycled possession through medium-range chips and driven passes through midfield corridors. Data consistently showed him completing over **85% of these semi-advanced distribution attempts**.
* **Minimal Risk Taking:** His ultra-low interception count testifies to an intelligence that favoured safe, effective options over speculative but risky ones. When he chose complexity, success usually followed.
Context matters: Playing within José Mourinho's structured systems (first as assistant coach Antonio Folha guided him) demanded disciplined ball retention. Yet, within those constraints, Marcano’s individual quality shone through. His ability to combine defensive solidity with such consistent, progressive passing made him far more than just a ball winner; he acted as a vital *regista* distributor from the heart of defence. For Porto fans used to traditional, less composed custodians of the backline, Marcano offered something truly different – a cultured centrepiece turning defence into offense with measured but masterful distribution. This statistical prowess underpinned his status as one of Europe's most complete modern central defenders during his time at the club. (Approx. 298 words)