Scoutmania

The best 2008 talents from Finland and Switzerland were on show as Finland U17 seals a 1-0 victory over Switzerland U17 with a dramatic last kick of the game.

Finland U17, coached by Erkka Lehtola, had a shape of 4-4-2 in defense and 4-2-3-1 in attack. At times, the Finnish left-back positioned himself in an inside position and the left winger maintained width by positioning out wide. The team found joy in the middle third, where players on the outside of the Swiss’ narrow 4-4-2 mid-block found space to maintain possession and progress. Increasingly successful long balls from goalkeeper Max Kulmala allowed the Finnish left-back to progress on the wing, or the Swiss’ right back pressed him which in turn allowed the Finnish left winger to exploit the channels.

Switzerland U17, coached by Luigi Pisano, had a 4-4-2 shape in attack, and a 4-4-2 diamond system in the pressing phase before transitioning into a 4-4-2 flat block defending. Talented attacker Giacomo Koloto heat map showed he took up positions in the center, right and left attacking positions.

Several aspects of the Swiss game worked well. In the build up phase, the Swiss team created space in between the lines by positioning the goalkeeper, defenders and central midfielders in their own third in a 7v6, and the two wingers pinning the Finnish back line. This allowed the two Swiss centre forwards to receive the long ball from the goalkeeper in space, enticing both Finnish centre-backs out of their positions.

In the final third, Swiss attackers were free in the right half-space and were not tracked by the Finnish central midfielders, and they could play short and dangerous cutbacks and balls across the 6-yard box.

In the pressing phase, the Swiss team won the ball numerous times, employing a 4-4-2 diamond to stop passing options to the inside, pressing the Finnish centre-back with man marking on the strong side of the pitch. The 3v2 with robust centre-backs and the positioning of the holding midfielder made it difficult for Finnish strikers to hold the ball up and get their team to get up the field.

Best potential players:

Aleksandar Sekulic (Switzerland U17), right centre-back born 2008.

The standout player of the match. As a strong and powerful centre-back, he showed confidence and aerial dual technique by forcing the opponent under the ball on several occasions, knowing his centre-back partner provided depth. He was comfortable defending in wide areas. Composed in possession, he could carry the ball forward and play forward passes, helping the team progress up the pitch. Played 45 minutes.

Future starter for FC Zürich.

Giacomo Koloto (Switzerland U17), attacker born 2008.

Koloto played as a second striker, a right winger and a left winger. He demonstrated chest control and held the ball up in central positions. As a winger, on one occasion, he identified that the Finnish centre-backs had stepped up and curved his run to exploit the space behind them. He dribbled against full backs before playing incisive passes. He could make more runs in behind to threaten the Finnish defence.

He could be playing in the Netherlands in 3-4 years.

Otto Tiitinen (Finland U17), central midfielder born 2008.

Tiitinen was the composed leader in the midfield. Relatively strong and with a low centre of gravity, he stifled dangerous Swiss attacks in the box and once used his body during the tackle. He once held several players off during press resistance. On a number of occasions, he made correct passing decisions which allowed the team to maintain possession. His heading abilities could be improved.

Already a starter for Ilves at 16, he could be playing in the Swedish league in 12 months.

To FOLLOW also Switzerland left-back Olivier Mambwa (2008), right-back Gabriel Morisoli (2008) and striker Josip Bralic (2008); and Finland goalkeeper Max Kulmala (2008).

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