Scoutmania

Here we are with the first report from the U19 Danish League!

A game played on a grass pitch where the players technical actions were sometimes challenged by a ‘tricky’ surface. A physical game with lots of ground and aerial duels. Sønderjyske captain, Simon Maass had to leave the pitch because of injury after 37 mins in the 1st half.

Both teams in 1-4-3-3 formation with Brøndby switching to a ‘more classic’ 1-4-4-2 out of possession. Interesting solution adopted by the Brøndby head coach Menno Van Dam on goal-kicks with both full-backs tucked in and the three midfielders in low position to attract the opposition pressure (as by image below). This created some dangerous 1v1 situations higher up the pitch.

But let’s get straight to the point…who was the best players on the pitch in terms of potential in my view?

I will pick only one per team this time:

Adam Claridge (Brøndby), defensive midfielder born in 2006 with both Danish and English citizenship .

Adam showed a good reading of the game out of possession which allowed him to cover his team mates and intercept forward passes but also to counterpress quickly. His biggest strength in my eyes is his ‘impact’ when tackling or challenging for the ball, definitely above the average of the game and closer to senior football intensity. Great focus and discipline, good balance and overall strength which helped him protecting the ball by using his body. In possession he often went for the safest options mostly looking for retaining the ball, rather than seeking for ball progression and longer passes.

His development would benefit from a loan for at least one season in a lower division Club where he can get regular playing time in a higher paced league.

Sebastian Larsen (Sønderjyske), striker and the only player born in 2007 in his team in this game.

Sebastian showed a good physicality, he was able to receive the ball back to goal and to protect it. He was dominant in his aerial and ground duels even though challenged by opponents 1-2 years older than him. Showed also the ability to drop to receive into feet and play his team mates in the back space with precise through passes. It was a difficult game for him in terms of scoring as he registered only few touches in the opposition penalty box. Nevertheless he showed potential in this area due to his dynamism and ball striking ability.

One more season at U19 level will allow him to score more goals and prepare for his ‘jump’ in senior football.

To FOLLOW also Brøndby central defender Oliver Lauritsen and right full-back Malek Bakhit; and Sønderjyske goalkeeper Benjamin Rasmussen and central midfilder Simon Maass.

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