Roberto Gagliardini

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

At the bottom of the Serie A table, Hellas Verona's survival battle hinges on the tireless industry of Roberto Gagliardini. The 31-year-old Italian midfielder has been a rare constant in a season of turmoil, racking up 1,257 minutes across 18 appearances—second only to his 2 yellow cards as testament to his combative spirit. With just one goal to his name and no assists, the €1.4m-rated Gagliardini won't dominate highlight reels, but his box-to-box presence provides the scaffolding Verona desperately needs. While teammates like Gift Orban and Giovane carry the attacking threat up front, it's Gagliardini's work rate that disrupts opposition transitions and protects a backline under siege. For a club staring relegation in the face, his reliability has become invaluable. Every lung-busting run, every tactical foul, every recovered second ball matters now. Gagliardini represents the veteran determination that could yet drag Verona from the drop zone—one industrious shift at a time.