Miguel Angelo Bastos Melo ili sasvim jednostavno Balelo (2002. godište) stavio je svoj potpis na trogodišnji ugovor s Bijelo-plavima. Došao nam je iz portugalskog Paredesa (Liga 3) i naravno da će se već od prvog treninga pokušati nametnuti treneru Federicu Bessoneu i njegovom stožeru. Balelo je profil napadača kakvog smo tražili -  napadač izrazito orijentiran na realizaciju, a njegova statistika to jasno potvrđuje. Prosjek pogodaka po 90 minuta igre 0,73 znatno mu je iznad ligaškog prosjeka (0,30), što pokazuje da realizira prilike osjetno učinkovitije od prosječnog napadača u svojoj dosadašnjoj ligi. Istodobno, njegov non-penalty xG je 0,41 i u odnosu na ligaških 0,26 ukazuje da se kontinuirano nalazi u opasnim situacijama za postizanje pogodaka te iz igre dolazi do velikog broja kvalitetnih prilika. Jedna od njegovih najvećih kvaliteta jest preciznost udarca od 62 posto (ligaški je prosjek 41 %). To sugerira da velik broj njegovih šuteva ide u okviru vrata te da vrlo učinkovito završava napadačke akcije. Zaključili bismo kako, uglavnom, bira kvalitetne situacije za završnicu, umjesto da se odlučuje na nerezonske pokušaje iz teških pozicija.

Protivnicima nije lako kada ga moraju čuvati

Dakle, nije riječ o napadaču koji se često spušta dublje prema centru kako bi kreirao prilike za suigrače. Njegova je primarna uloga završavanje akcija unutar šesnaesterca, pri čemu visokim postotkom realizacije i inteligentnim pozicioniranjem kontinuirano opterećuje i veže suparničke središnje braniče.

Nakon onih mlađih kategorija u kojima mi je sve bilo zabavno, u profesionalnom nogometu sam se prvo okušao u nižem stupnju natjecanja jer zbog COVID-a tada nitko nije mogao igrati u kvalitetnijem razredu. I onda sam se pomalo probijao, zapravo svake sezone ostvario određeni napredak. Evo me sada ovdje i svakako ću dati sve od sebe, vidjet ćete to na terenu, na početku je istaknuo Balelo.

Na zanimljiv način se nogometno opisao, a svidjelo nam se to njegovo samopouzdanje kada je pričao…

Mislim da sam dobar s loptom u nogama, rekao bih i racionalan na poziciji koju pokrivam. Osjećam da protivnicima baš nije lako igrati protiv mene. Možda mi je to i najveća vrlina, barem ja tako gledam, što nisam neki tipični igrač kojega je lako opisati… Znam s loptom i veseli me svaki pogodak, što je moja primarna zadaća. Golovi su ipak najvažniji, tako će biti i ovdje. Naravno da je važno pomoći suigračima i asistencijama, angažmanom, trkom… toga uvijek mora biti. Uzor mi je stariji brat Tiago Melo koji igra za Beira-Mar.

Hernani i Dantas su rekli „idi u Osijek, svidjet će ti se“

Kako je uopće došlo do kontakta s našim klubom, što si prvo pomislio?

Nazvao me je moj menadžer i rekao mi kako je Osijek zainteresiran za mene. Znao sam da je ovdje bio Hernani, da je dobar dojam ostavio i Dantas koji ima istog agenta kao i ja. Razgovarao sam s njima i oni su mi rekli „idi, svidjet će ti se, uvjeti su sjajni. I bit ćeš sretan, to je veliki korak za tebe“. Uvjerio sam se da je stadion predivan, a vjerujem da će mi se svidjeti i sve drugo na terenu i izvan njega, u gradu.

Moramo te pitati za vlastita očekivanja? Naša su uvijek takva da očekujemo ono najbolje u datom trenutku, iz utakmice u utakmicu…

Da, da, naravno. Moja očekivanja su takva da zabijam golove, najviše što mogu i da pomognem momčadi, svojim suigračima. Želim dati cijeloga sebe da bi Osijek bio pozicioniran tamo gdje svi njegovi navijači žele i gdje ga i mi igrači zajedno s našim trenerima trebamo dovesti. Sezona svakako mora biti puno bolja od prošle!

Zašto si izabrao baš broj 99 na svom dresu, ima li tu nekakve simbolike?

A nema nekog posebnog razloga. No, ipak ću reći kako sam igrao s tim brojem protekle sezone i to mi je bila najbolja godina u karijeri. Eto, najviše je to presudilo. Vjerujem da mi broj 99 donosi sreću. Želim što prije naučiti osnovne hrvatske riječi za bolje sporazumijevanje na terenu i to mi je sada nova zadaća.

Izražen osjećaj za gol i konkretnost u završnici

Sportski direktor Kenneth Zandvliet pedantno je opisao i Balela, kao što je to bio slučaj i s njegovim prethodnicima koji su ovoga ljeta stigli na Opus Arenu.

Balelo je kompletan napadač. Riječ je o igraču kojemu se može uputiti i visoka lopta, ali koji je jednako siguran i kvalitetan u igri po tlu. Odlično pronalazi prostor, ima izražen osjećaj za pogodak i uvijek je opasan u završnici. Može igrati kao dio napadačkog trojca, ali se jednako dobro snalazi i u sustavu s dvojicom napadača, gdje kvalitetnim utrčavanjima u prostor stvara probleme suparničkoj obrani. Svestran je nogometaš koji će odmah donijeti dodatnu vrijednost našoj napadačkoj liniji. Izuzetno smo sretni što je Balelo postao dio naše momčadi. Želimo mu puno uspjeha i vjerujemo da ćemo zajedno uživati u mnogim njegovim golovima u bijelo-plavom dresu. Pružimo mu svi snažnu podršku od prvoga dana!

--------------------

Welcome to Osijek, Balelo!

 

The young Portuguese striker possesses a very exciting skill set and will be looking to impress both the coaching staff and the fans from day one.

 

Miguel Angelo Bastos Melo – better known simply as Balelo (born in 2002) – has signed a three-year contract with the White-and-Blues. He joins us from Portuguese Liga 3 side Paredes and will be eager to make an immediate impression on head coach Federico Bessone and his coaching staff from his very first training session.

Balelo is exactly the type of striker we were looking for – a forward whose game is centred around finishing, and the numbers clearly back that up. His average of 0.73 goals per 90 minutes is well above the league average of 0.30, highlighting his ability to convert chances far more efficiently than the average striker in his previous league.

At the same time, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90 of 0.41, compared to the league average of 0.26, demonstrates his consistent ability to get into dangerous scoring positions and generate a high volume of quality opportunities from open play.

One of his standout qualities is his 62% shot accuracy, comfortably above the league average of 41%. This indicates that a high proportion of his attempts are on target and that he is highly efficient when finishing attacking moves. Overall, he tends to select high-quality shooting opportunities rather than forcing speculative efforts from difficult positions.

 

A difficult striker for defenders to handle

Balelo is not the type of striker who regularly drops deep to create chances for his teammates. His primary role is to finish moves inside the penalty area, where his intelligent positioning and impressive conversion rate constantly occupy and trouble opposition centre-backs.

"After progressing through the youth ranks, where football was all about enjoying the game, my first experience in professional football came in the lower divisions because, during the COVID period, opportunities at a higher level were very limited. From there I gradually worked my way up and managed to improve season after season. Now I'm here and I can promise that I'll give absolutely everything. You'll see that every time I step onto the pitch," said Balelo.

He also offered an interesting description of his own playing style, speaking with the confidence that every striker should have.

"I think I'm comfortable with the ball at my feet and I like to make smart decisions in my position. I also believe I'm a difficult player for defenders to play against. That's probably one of my biggest strengths because I'm not the kind of striker who is easy to define. I'm good on the ball and, of course, I love scoring goals—that's my main job. Goals are what matter most, and that won't change here. At the same time, it's important to help the team with assists, hard work and running. Those are things every player must contribute. My football role model is my older brother, Tiago Melo, who plays for Beira-Mar."

 

Hernâni and Dantas told me: "Go to Osijek – you'll love it."

 

How did the move to Osijek come about? What was your first reaction when you heard about the club's interest?

"My agent called me and told me that Osijek were interested in signing me. I already knew Hernâni had played here, and I also knew Dantas, who shares the same agent as me. I spoke to both of them and they told me: 'Go there, you'll love it. The facilities are excellent and you'll be happy. It's a big step forward in your career.'

"I've already seen how beautiful the stadium is, and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy everything else as well – both on the pitch and off it, and also life in the city."

What are your personal expectations? At Osijek, we always aim for the highest possible standards, taking it one match at a time...

"Of course. My expectation is to score as many goals as possible and help the team in every way I can. I want to give absolutely everything so that Osijek finishes where our supporters expect the club to be, and where we, together with our coaching staff, believe it belongs. We all know this season has to be much better than the last one."

Why did you choose the number 99 shirt? Is there any special meaning behind it?

"Not really, although I wore number 99 last season and it turned out to be the best year of my career, so that definitely influenced my decision. Hopefully it continues to bring me good luck. I'm also looking forward to learning some basic Croatian as quickly as possible because good communication on the pitch is important. That's one of my first goals off the field."

 

A natural goalscorer with a clinical edge

Sporting Director Kenneth Zandvliet also gave his assessment of our newest signing, continuing his detailed analysis of the players who have joined the club this summer.

"Balelo is a complete striker. He's a player who can play with his back to goal and deal with aerial balls just as comfortably as he can combine in possession on the ground. He finds space exceptionally well, has a real eye for goal and is always a threat inside the penalty area.

He can operate as part of a front three, but he's equally effective in a strike partnership, where his intelligent movement and well-timed runs constantly create problems for opposition defences. He is a versatile forward who will immediately add quality to our attacking options.

We're delighted to welcome Balelo to our club. We wish him every success at Osijek and we're looking forward to seeing him score many goals in the White-and-Blue shirt. Let's all give him a warm welcome and our full support from day one."