Federico Dimarco is a 28-year-old Italian player who operates primarily as a left wing-back, but can also play as a left-back. He is most commonly used as a wing-back in front of a back three. Dimarco is arguably one of the best left-backs in the world, alongside Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain and Marc Cucurella of Chelsea.
After progressing through the Inter Milan Primavera, he was loaned to Ascoli at the start of 2016, where he impressed with four assists in 15 appearances. At the beginning of the following season, he was loaned to Empoli, stepping up to Serie A level. However, he featured in just 12 matches and suffered relegation with the club.
Following that difficult period, and with Inter Milan under financial pressure, Dimarco was sold to FC Sion. In Switzerland, he began to find form again, but a broken metatarsal and issues with chairman Christian Constantin limited his playing time. At the end of the season, Inter activated their buy-back clause.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter returning, he was loaned to Parma, where he scored his first professional goal—ironically against Inter at San Siro. Although injuries continued to affect him, he showed clear potential to compete at top-flight level.
He was then loaned again, this time to Hellas Verona, with the aim of gaining regular minutes. After an initial six-month spell, the loan was extended for another season. At Verona, Dimarco proved he was ready for Inter, recording five goals and three assists and helping the team secure mid-table finishes across two seasons.
Despite Verona having an option to buy, Dimarco returned to Inter, now established as one of the best left wing-backs in Serie A after over 50 appearances. Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter adopted a 3-5-2 system that perfectly suited Dimarco’s strengths, allowing him to develop into one of the best players in his position in world football.
With Inter, he has reached two Champions League finals, won two Coppa Italia titles and three Supercoppa Italiana trophies. The club is also leading the Serie A title race this season. Dimarco has become a regular for the Italy national team and is aiming to help Italy return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Physical Attributes
Dimarco stands at 1.74m, slightly above average height, with a slender but strong build. He is physically competitive and combines that strength with good speed. His stamina is one of his standout traits, allowing him to sustain a high-intensity style for the full 90 minutes.
He is also very agile, primarily operating down the left flank. He uses his physical and athletic qualities effectively, whether driving forward, overlapping, or cutting inside into attacking areas. His heatmap typically shows full coverage of the left side, from defence to attack, highlighting his constant involvement.
In Possession
Dimarco is a highly technical player with excellent ball control. He uses his speed and agility to overlap effectively, and his crossing ability is one of his biggest strengths for both club and country. Crosses are often used as a reliable attacking option when other approaches are not working.
He is also extremely dangerous from set pieces, whether delivering corners or taking free-kicks. He has the ability to create chances either through precise deliveries or direct shots on goal.
His passing is another key strength. He can contribute both centrally and out wide, linking play through quick combinations and intelligent movement. His ability to attack space and arrive in the box adds another dimension, often freeing up space for teammates on the flank.
This season has been the best of his career so far, with seven goals and 14 assists. He maintains over 80% passing accuracy both in his own half and in the final third, while also completing 38% of his long balls.
Areas for Concern
There are two main concerns regarding Dimarco.
The first is his injury record. Between February 2019 and February 2023, he suffered multiple injuries, ranging from minor issues to more serious setbacks. This season alone, he has already sustained three significant injuries.
The second issue is his defensive positioning. Because he often plays very high up the pitch, he can leave space behind him that is vulnerable to fast wingers on counter-attacks. This can occasionally put Inter in difficult situations.
To compensate, Inter often uses a centre-midfielder or Alessandro Bastoni to cover that space, giving Dimarco the freedom to press higher up the pitch.
Out of Possession
Without the ball, Dimarco uses his physicality well to contest duels and regain possession. He positions his body intelligently and is effective in one-on-one situations.
He also contributes to high pressing, pushing up the pitch to help suffocate the opposition and win the ball back quickly. His interception ability is strong, as he reads passes well and reacts quickly to cut out danger.
His speed allows him to track runners and recover defensively, often covering the entire left side of the pitch.
Final Thoughts
Dimarco is a top-level player whose qualities place him among the best left-backs in the world. His crossing ability and set-piece delivery are major assets, while his intelligence in attacking space helps Inter create consistent danger.
His main weaknesses are his injury record, which can keep him out of key matches, and his defensive positioning, although this can be mitigated tactically.
As an elite player, Dimarco is aiming to win another Serie A title with Inter. Despite an early Champions League exit, the club remains comfortably top of the league. At the international level, he also carries the responsibility of helping Italy return to the World Cup, with crucial qualifiers ahead against Northern Ireland and potentially either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dimarco remains one of Italy’s most important players as they aim to return to the biggest stage in international football.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
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