Nicolò Tresoldi: Dual-National Striker on the Rise in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga by Yonni Kaknaev
Full name: Nicolò Tresoldi
Date of birth: 20 August 2004 (20)
Place of birth: Cagliari, Italy
Height: 1.83 m
Youth teams: Gubbio, Hannover 96
Current team: Hannover 96, Germany U21
Position: Centre-forward
Preferred foot: Right
Market value: €5.00m
Contracted until: June 2026
Similar Profiles: Giovanni Simeone, Patrik Schick
Player History:
Nicolò Tresoldi was born on 20 August 2004 in Cagliari, Italy. Nicolò spent his early years in the town of Gubbio, where he balanced both football and tennis, showcasing talent in both sports. However, his passion for football quickly overshadowed his tennis pursuits, and he began to gain attention from several prominent Italian clubs during his youth trials. Tresoldi’s natural talent and versatility made him a highly sought-after talent even in his teenage years.
In 2017, Tresoldi’s family made the life-changing decision to move to Hanover, Germany. This relocation came at a critical point in his budding career, and it proved to be the turning point. Shortly after the move, Tresoldi joined the renowned youth academy of Hannover 96. In the academy, he continued to impress, rapidly progressing through.
By 2020, Tresoldi was playing for Hannover’s U17 team in the Northern Bundesliga, where he demonstrated his striking abilities by scoring five goals and providing three assists in just four games. His performances at the youth level were impossible to ignore, and he earned a promotion to the reserve team. There, despite some initial struggles and only netting three goals in 11 appearances, Tresoldi’s determination and work ethic were noticeable. Although he faced a minor setback when the club decided to move him back to the U19s, Tresoldi’s resilience shone through. He took the challenge in stride and exploded back into form, recording 11 goals and one assist in 24 matches for the U19 Hannover 96 side.
His breakout performances in 2022, earned him a spot in Hannover 96’s preseason training with the first team, marking the next big step for his progression. By July 2022, at just 18 years old, Tresoldi made his professional debut for Hannover 96 in a 2. Bundesliga match against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Though the match ended in a 1–2 loss, Tresoldi’s entry into professional football was a pivotal moment in his development. Since then, he has been gradually earning more minutes on the pitch, showcasing his adaptability and goal-scoring potential.
International Career:
Tresoldi’s multicultural background gives him the option to represent three different national teams: Italy (his birthplace), Argentina (through his mother), and Germany (where he was raised). Despite these choices, it was the German Football Association that acted swiftly, calling him up to represent their youth teams. On 25 October 2022, Tresoldi made his debut for the German U19 national team in a friendly against Spain. In 2023, he was called up to Germany’s U21 side, marking another step forward in his international career.
Strengths:
• Finishing
• Positioning
• Aerial Ability
• Composure
• Defensive Contributions
Weaknesses:
• Consistency
• First touch
• Flair
• Decision Making
Playing Style:
Tresoldi is a forward with a robust build and a keen instinct for finding the back of the net. His game is defined by strategic positioning and a remarkable ability to exploit space in the penalty area, making him a constant threat both in and around the box, as well as when he drops deeper into midfield at times.
His 5-footwork and physical presence allow him to hold the ball effectively, contributing to play and creating opportunities for his teammates. More than just a poacher, Tresoldi excels as a pressing forward, using his strength and tenacity to win battles and disrupt opposing defenses. He combines tactical intelligence with a knack for making timely runs behind defenders and assisting in build-up play.
Despite still developing physically, Tresoldi leverages his football IQ and positional awareness to navigate challenges and stay involved in the game. His versatility allows him to be dangerous both in aerial duels and on the ground, and his composure in front of goal points to a bright future as a prolific striker.
Game Notes:
Game 1: Hannover 96 v HSV (1:0) 2. Bundesliga, round 3 (23/08/2024)
❖ Positioned as a striker within a 4-4-1-1 formation.
❖ Came onto the match as a substitute for J. Ngankam in the 72nd minute, logging 18 minutes.
❖ Had 12 touches during the match.
❖ Demonstrated a strong work ethic both on and off the ball, not shying away from physical challenges and exhibiting a fierce and strong attitude.
❖ His presence injected significant dynamism into the forward line, enhancing the team’s pressing intensity – the player has made his teammates more engaged.
❖ Although Tresoldi didn’t register a shot on/off target, his pressing forced HSV’s backline into launching long balls, which Hannover was able to win consistently in midfield or defence. His involvement in the final minutes helped Hannover maintain hold and close out the game with defensive stability.
Game 2: Arminia Bielefeld v Hannover 96 (2:0) DFB Pokal, round 1 (17/08/2024)
❖ Operated as a central striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring throughout the entire 90 minutes in a DFB Pokal fixture.
❖ Demonstrated a very good passing accuracy of 90%, although the number of touches was limited.
❖ Maintained a strong work rate both offensively and defensively, recording 3 shots on target.
❖ Showed dependency on service to optimize his impact in the box, showing diminished effectiveness when not adequately supported.
❖ Showcased a relentless work ethic off the ball and excelled in aerial duels, using his dominance to win headers, could be used as a tool to “lay the ball on a plate” for teammates – creating potential opportunities.
❖ Missed a key scoring chance in a 1v1 situation against the goalkeeper, underscoring a need for refinement in finishing under pressure.
❖ Excellent body language in most scenarios, effectively communicating with teammates.
Game 3: Preußen Münster v Hannover 96 (0:0) 2. Bundesliga, round 2 (23/08/2024)
❖ Featured as a striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation, played for 85 minutes before getting subbed off for Gindorff.
❖ Registered 21 touches and achieved a passing accuracy of 50%.
❖ Demonstrated significant commitment in duels, engaging in 6 ground and 6 aerial challenges, winning 50% of them.
❖ Physically gifted and intelligent, showing strong mental and physical commitment as a forward who drops to the middle third.
❖ Was caught offside once, though this was not identified as a weakness on the player’s profile.
❖ Regularly faced a mid-block that aimed to push him into wider positions, reducing his central impact.
Game 4: Hannover 96 v SSV Jahn Regensburg (2:0) 2. Bundesliga, round 1 (03/08/2024)
❖ Played as a striker in a 3-4-2-1 system, completing 72 minutes before being substituted for Ngankam.
❖ Made a decisive impact with 1 goal and 1 assist from 18 touches, demonstrating efficiency in limited opportunities.
❖ Consistently engaged and energetic personality, participating in 12 ground and aerial challenges, underlining his commitment and resilience for the team.
❖ Physically robust with a quick turn-in-place, he shows potential to thrive alongside a more agile, flamboyant second striker, complementing their flair with his strength and hold-up play.
❖ Off-the-ball movement was instrumental in a key moment of scoring the 2nd goal, as he redirected a squared pass into the other side of the box, allowing Dehm to score and extend the lead to 2-0.
Game 5: Hannover 96 v Holstein Kiel (1:2) 2. Bundesliga, round 34 (19/05/2024)
❖ Deployed as the central striker in a 3-4-2-1 system, completing 90 minutes of high-intensity pressing, showcasing strong physical presence and work rate.
❖ Registered 2 shots on target and 2 off the target, despite limited opportunities to significantly influence the game in the final third.
❖ Consistently dropped deep and shifted into wide channels, playing a crucial role in link-up play and stretching the opposition’s defensive structure. His ability to pull defenders out of position is a key strength.
❖ Demonstrated exceptional positional awareness during attacking phases, particularly in aerial duels, where his ability to win duels in the air made him a constant threat.
❖ Shows advanced body awareness in ground challenges, although there is room for improvement in his first touch, where he occasionally loses control under pressure.
Game 6: Karlsruher SC v Hannover 96 (1:2) 2. Bundesliga, round 33 (12/05/2024)
❖ Played as the central striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation, for 74 minutes.
❖ Hustled for 74 minutes, consistently and tirelessly working trying to put himself as the central attacking outlet, recorded one shot on target.
❖ Attempted 2 dribbles, completing 1, though he’s not inclined to carry the ball over long distances. Instead, he compensates with quick, effective ball distribution.
❖ Displayed strong tactical awareness, making smart runs and positioning effectively to create space. His smooth passes linked midfield and attack, maintaining the team’s attacking flow, especially in transitions.
❖ Had a decisive chance to put Hannover 96 ahead 2-0 in the 34th minute, but a slightly delayed reaction prevented the finish.
❖ Effectively used his physicality to shield the ball from opponents, making his hold-up play a notable strength, his superpower.
What’s next? Prediction for the future:
Nicolò Tresoldi is set to continue his development at Hannover 96, where he is steadily carving out a role as a key figure in their attack this season. His combination of raw skill, aerial ability, and game intelligence in front of goal makes him a promising forward for both the club and any country he chooses to represent. As Tresoldi matures, further improving his consistency at the high level, he is likely to attract interest from European top leagues.
Soon, a move to a more competitive league, like the Bundesliga’s top club or one of Italy’s historical teams, seems highly probable in my books. Given his dual national ties and impressive performances for Germany’s youth teams, Tresoldi could also be a future contender for a place in Germany’s senior national squad, unless he changes his mind about switching allegiance.
An ideal next step could be a move to a club with a strong record of developing young forwards, teams in the caliber of Eintracht Frankfurt or Atalanta. These clubs would offer him regular game time at a high level, alongside exposure to European competition, accelerating his growth and enhancing his value.
With the right moves and continued development, Tresoldi has the potential to establish himself as a top striker in Europe. A current rating of 7.5/10 reflects his promising future and areas of growth.