Marco Silvestri

Key strength: Shot-stopping

Shot-stopper

At 34, veteran shot-stopper Marco Silvestri finds himself anchoring a struggling US Cremonese side that sits perilously positioned 16th in the table. The Italian goalkeeper has carved out a career built on pure shot-stopping ability, with his positioning and reflexes remaining his calling card despite a modest €500,000 market valuation at this stage of his career. Silvestri's role at Cremonese is one of experience and stability—he stands as the defensive line's organizer amid a squad featuring talents like centre-back Mikayil Faye (63 rating) and midfielder Martín Payero (62 rating). While the team's recent form shows uncertainty (five consecutive poor results), Silvestri's presence between the posts offers a reassuring constant for a side fighting to climb away from the relegation battle. His playing style as a traditional 'shot-stopper' rather than a modern sweeper-keeper speaks to an old-school approach to goalkeeping—stay big, make the saves, command the box. With FIFA stats highlighting his 45 physical rating as his strongest attribute, Silvestri relies on presence and positioning over distribution. In a Cremonese team needing defensive solidity to escape their current predicament, the Italian veteran's experience and specialized skillset make him a crucial figure as they navigate the season's challenges.