Scoutmania

A balanced match was played in Aarhus between two teams with a good tactical organization. That said Nordsjælland had the biggest chances and achieved the 3 points deservedly reaching the top of the table (only 1 goal conceded in 7 games).

AGF coached by Niki Zimling in a 3-4-3 formation kept their centre-backs wide apart in their build up against the opponents narrow front pressure and often interchanged on their left side (wing-back running deep and winger getting wide). This created instability at times in the opposition defensive structure and led the home team to the their biggest opportunity to score in the match (the start of their attack is shown in the image below).

Their defensive shape was 5-2-3 and focused on closing down the central space to let the opponents play wide to press aggressively with their wing-backs.

Nordsjælland, coached by Sune Jensen, played in a 4-3-3 formation and tried to unlock the opposition defense by pushing the full-backs high and wide and by dropping their midfielders on the side of the centre-backs.

Interesting to notice how they isolated their forwards against the opposition back three by dropping the three midfielders to ‘attract’ the opposition pressure. This resulted once in a successful coordinated attack which ended with a precise through balls behind the opposition high defensive line.

Many good potential players in this match, especially in the AGF squad. So below only the ‘best of the best’!

Ekemini Ime (AGF), midfielder born in 2006.

Ekemini dominated the ‘middle of the park’ with his strength and determination in physical duels and tackles. Beside this he showed great quality on the ball and spatial awareness. Kept the ball under pressure and got out of tight areas with no effort. Precise in passing and high level first touch.

He is definitely ready for first team football. A loan in lower league (1st or 2nd division) can help him develop other parts of his game as speed of action and vision before returning to AGF with more tools to challenge for a spot in the first team.

Marius van der Raad (AGF), goalkeeper born in 2006.

Good physical structure and left foot. He showed great potential in terms of mobility and anticipation skills when 1v1 with Lähteenmäki came off the line and deflected the shot by stretching his leg before the ball hit the post. He demonstrated also good game reading and protected the back space efficiently.

Marius can be a starting eleven player in a 1st division team as we speak and has the potential to play in Superliga within the next 3 years.

Mikkel Kristensen (AGF), left footed centre-back born in 2006.

Mikkel has excellent playmaking skills both over short and longer distances. He can play through the opposition pressure with precise progressive passes but also has the quality and the vision to switch the play with long passes. Defensively good positioning both when he stands high and when he defends the box. Good timing and power when jumping to head the ball.

Mikkel can become more dominant in his physical duels and train in a first team environment on regular basis can fasten his growth. His skill-set is unique.

William Faber (FCN), striker born in 2008.

William had a crazy impact on the match like only few can do! He scored the winning goal one minute after coming on the pitch from the bench (62′). A precise and powerful shot towards the far post gave his team 3 important points. William challenged his older opponents with his speed and balance and demonstrated to be a well rounded mobile striker who can also hold onto the ball.

William can follow in Conrad Harder footsteps by playing regularly at u19 level this season. Although 2 years younger than most of his team mates I am sure he will embrace the challenge.

Victor Gustafsen (FCN), right-back born in 2007.

Victor best actions in this match are to be found in his defensive game although he was very effective in both phases. His positioning was very mature for his age and he was often well oriented to intercept long passes and switches of play. In his 1v1 duels he was aggressive and hard to beat, kept a low centre of gravity and was fast in turning. Great speed both when supporting the attacks and when recovering. Victor showed an advanced game understanding also in his long throw-ins which found his opponents not always prepared.

Click here to read my previous comments on Victor performance vs AaB in the 1st round of the season and my conclusion.

Markus Walker (FCN), centre-back born in 2006.

Markus who was the captain of the Nordsjaelland squad leading the table showed great composure on the ball and playmaking skills which are usually typical of a central midfielder. He beat AGF pressure with passes that skipped more than one defensive line to the forwards and stepped with the ball into midfield and over with big confidence. He was challenged at times by his opponents in aerial and ground duels. Smart positioning in the box to defend crosses and stop the opponents from scoring.

My conclusion is the same as in the match vs AaB which article you can read here.

To FOLLOW also AGF centre-back Sölvi Stefánsson (2007) and wing-back Mark Ian Steffensen (2008); and FCN winger Juho Lähteenmäki.

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