Hakim Ziyech Gives Botafogo More Creativity and Tactical Flexibility
Hakim Ziyech has made an encouraging early impression at Botafogo, earning praise from head coach Tite for the technical quality and versatility he brings to the Brazilian side. After appearing in his first two matches for the club, the Morocco international has already given supporters a glimpse of the creativity that could make him an important part of Botafogo’s attack.
Tite sees Ziyech as a player capable of operating in the central playmaking role while also offering a threat from the flanks. That flexibility gives Botafogo additional options in possession and allows the coaching staff to adjust the team’s attacking shape without necessarily making a substitution. For a side looking to create chances against different defensive setups, having a player who can influence the game from several positions can be a significant advantage.
Why Ziyech suits the number 10 role
Speaking to the media, Tite highlighted qualities that are central to the traditional number 10 position: the ability to move between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines, find pockets of space, and use the ball intelligently once it arrives. Ziyech’s close control, vision and passing range can help Botafogo progress through crowded areas and turn possession into attacking opportunities.
A creative midfielder’s influence is not limited to the final pass. By shifting into space and drawing defenders away from their positions, Ziyech can create openings for teammates to run into. He can also help set the rhythm of an attack, deciding when to slow the play down and when to move the ball forward quickly. These qualities may prove particularly useful when Botafogo face opponents who defend deep and leave little room around the penalty area.
Playing wide presents a different set of possibilities. From the flank, Ziyech can deliver crosses, combine with overlapping teammates or move inside to use his left foot in more dangerous areas. That variation could make Botafogo harder to read: opponents must decide whether to close him down near the touchline or protect the central spaces he may target when cutting inward.
Tite balances Ziyech’s workload with team needs
Tite also acknowledged that Ziyech has played more minutes than the club initially expected. The coach’s comments suggest that Botafogo have been keen to use the Moroccan’s technical ability while he adapts to his new surroundings. His early involvement reflects the value the staff place on his skill set, though managing his workload will remain important over a demanding season.
Integrating a new player involves more than finding a place in the starting line-up. Ziyech must build an understanding with his teammates, learn the team’s pressing and defensive responsibilities, and become comfortable with the pace and physical demands of Brazilian football. Regular minutes can accelerate that process, but careful rotation may help preserve his sharpness and reduce the risk of fatigue.
For Botafogo, the challenge is to make the most of Ziyech without making the attack dependent on one player. His presence can give the team a more inventive route forward, while also encouraging other attackers to make runs and offer passing options. If those connections develop, his influence could extend beyond assists and goals to the overall structure of Botafogo’s play.
Other options give Botafogo different attacking profiles
Tite pointed to Medina as another player who can fill a similar role, although he offers a different style. That distinction gives the coach room to tailor his selection to the opponent. One option may be better suited to carrying the ball or attacking open space, while another could offer greater control between the lines. Rather than relying on a single fixed playmaker, Botafogo can potentially vary the way they build attacks from match to match.
Montoro is currently unavailable because of an ankle injury, limiting the team’s choices in the short term. His absence makes the depth of Botafogo’s attacking midfield options more relevant, particularly as fixtures arrive in quick succession. A player’s versatility can be especially valuable during such periods, when injuries, suspensions and fatigue may force changes to the starting XI.
Danilo Pereira offers another route into the final third. Tite has highlighted his ability to carry the ball forward vertically and connect with the forwards. That directness complements Ziyech’s more creative approach. While Ziyech may look to unlock a defence with a pass or a change of angle, Danilo can drive through midfield and force opponents to retreat. Combining those different strengths could make Botafogo’s transition from midfield to attack less predictable.
Promising first impressions, with more to come
Ziyech has featured in Botafogo’s first two matches since joining the club, and the early response from supporters has been positive. Fans have welcomed his technical quality and appear excited by the possibility of seeing him become a central figure in the team’s creative play. Two appearances are only an initial sample, but they have helped build anticipation around what he might contribute once he has settled fully.
The next step will be turning flashes of quality into consistent influence. That means developing timing with Botafogo’s forwards, understanding when to occupy central spaces and when to stretch the pitch, and contributing when the team does not have possession. If Ziyech can combine his attacking instincts with the demands of Tite’s system, he could become a valuable link between midfield and the front line.
Botafogo’s upcoming fixtures will offer further clues about how the coach intends to use him. The listed schedule includes a Serie A match on October 13, 2026, followed by another league fixture on October 18. Those games could provide useful tests of the team’s depth and tactical flexibility, although the exact starting role for Ziyech will depend on fitness, opposition and Tite’s match plan.
Any prediction about his long-term impact should remain measured: he is still at the beginning of his Botafogo career, and adaptation takes time. Even so, Tite’s early confidence, the player’s ability to operate centrally or wide, and the encouraging reaction from supporters all point to a promising start. If the Moroccan international continues to build chemistry with his teammates, his creativity could give Botafogo a valuable new dimension in Brazilian football.
