Scoutmania

Finland, the favourites, scored 2 goals within 20 minutes through Kaan Kairinen and Joel Pohjanpalo, before Lithuania hit back with a goal from Armandas Kučys and a wonder strike from Gvidas Gineitis, beating Bayer Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky. Finland had 57% possession, 514 passes over Lithuania’s 411 passes in a free-flowing game.

With new manager Jacob Friis at the helm, Finland played in a 4-3-3 and made significant attacking changes to boost their goalscoring record of 2 goals in 6 matches in UEFA Nations League B. The most significant change is the manager’s willingness to have numbers in the box, demonstrated by having 4 players in the 6-yard box at the time of the Kairinen strike.

Other significant changes include wingers Daniel Håkans and Oliver Antman coming towards the ball and dragging the Lithuanian full-backs with them, creating space between the Lithuanian full- back and centre back for teammates to run into, receiving the ball and making dangerous inroads towards goal. Runs from midfield into these spaces and to the wing were made by midfielder Robin Lod, who could play as a wide midfielder, and Glen Kamara, the Stade Rennais midfielder on loan at Al-Shabab, who found himself more suited to these medium to long distance runs on and off the ball compared to the positional-oriented play under previous manager “Rive” Markkus Kanerva. Defensively, the outside midfielders also moved out wide to close down opponents in the half space or on the wing.

Lithuania, led by Edgaras Jankauskas, was led by Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis, Cercle Brugge’s Edgaras Utkus, and the courageous captain Justas Lasickas in a 4-2-3-1. Lithuania’s attack was characterized by positional fluidity. A 4v3 numerical overload was created against the Finnish front 3, and it was usually a box containing the 2 CBs, the 6 & the 8, or a diamond with 2 CBs, 1 FB inside and the 6. Midfielders often rotated to create new angles to support play, and Gineitis was given license to roam, where he utilized his tactical understanding to create and exploit numerical overloads and positional advantages in each line. The winger / full back and winger / striker relationships played a huge role in Lithuania’s attack as group play occurred within these relationships. Lithuania found some success playing the ball over the top of the Finnish defense.

Lithuania played in a 4-1-4-1 without possession. It was typified by energetic and coordinated pressing in goal-kicks and defensive transition, and block defending with marking, jumping on Finnish midfielders receiving the ball in front of the block, and having 9 players in a small playing area protecting central spaces and forcing the ball wide. NK Maribor right back Pijus Širvys recorded 16 defensive actions, while Utkus stopped Finnish attacks and counterattacks in midfield.

(Utkus winning a header in midfield)

Here is the player who stood out in this match:

Gvidas Gineitis (Torino / Lithuania), central midfielder born 2004

Gineitis scored a 25-metre goal to level the game. Playing as a left-footed attacking midfielder, he had the license to roam the field and create advantages. As the Finnish midfield chain of Rod, Kairinen and Kamara was stretched and outnumbered at times, he recognised and exploited the space outside and behind the Finnish midfield unit. He sometimes dropped into the 6 position to create a numerical overload against the Finnish front 3. He also made runs behind the Finnish defence to receive diagonal long passes, but they were less successful. Defensively, he participated in the Lithuanian press and block defending, however, he only recorded 1 interception. At 191cm, he could lay a few tackles to stamp his authority on the match.

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