Vincenzo Grifo

Key strength: Pace and dribbling

Wide creator

In a Bundesliga era obsessed with blistering pace and explosive athleticism, 33-year-old Vincenzo Grifo stands as a beautiful anachronism. The Italian left winger remains the creative compass for SC Freiburg—a club punching above their weight in 7th place despite patchy recent form (WLDLW). Grifo's numbers this season read like a masterclass in efficiency: 13 goals and 5 assists from 45 appearances, delivering a direct goal contribution every 2.4 matches across 2,512 minutes. But statistics barely capture his artistry. Operating from his favored left flank, Grifo drifts inside with balletic grace, shifting onto his cultured right foot to bend shots beyond helpless goalkeepers. His 55-rated pace would shame many wingers; his footballing intelligence renders such metrics meaningless. What truly distinguishes the #32 veteran is his almost zen-like discipline—zero cards all season. While teammate Lucas Höler provides industry up front, it's Grifo's guile that stabilizes Christian Streich's side through turbulent patches. Valued at a modest €5 million, Grifo embodies Freiburg's philosophy: craft and wisdom, like fine wine, only deepen with age.