Scoutmania

Great intensity and emotions in a match with six goals which saw the away team SK Brann succeeding after a brave and convincing performance (2-4 the final result). The biggest talent on the scene was to be found in the home team Vålerenga.

SK Brann, coached by the Icelandic manager Freyr Alexandersson (ex Lyngby) in a 1-4-3-3 formation, started the match strong by scoring after 4 minutes after an intense counterpressing moment (see image below) which allowed them to keep the pressure on the opposition and led to Kornvig (ex Lyngby) precise shot from outside the penalty box for the first goal of the match (0-1).

They extended the lead after regaining possession in the opposition half and a quick counterattack which ended with the Icelandic midfielder Eggert Aron Gudmundsson (born 2004) placing the ball in the bottom corner with his first touch (0-2). Throughout the match, Brann threatened the opposition back space (as you can see in the image below) with constant runs from their striker Heggebø who ended up in good finishing situations.

Vålerenga, coached by Geir Bakke in a 1-4-5-1 formation, approached the second half with a different energy and scored their first goal after two minutes from the whistle after regaining the ball in their own half and a quick counterattack from deep orchestrated by their talent Riisnæs and finished by their striker Brajanac (1-2). They scored their second goal five minutes later with Riisnæs after a cut-back pass by Strand (2-2).

Interesting how they used a ‘double pivot’ to overload the opposition striker in their build up and find space to progress through the opposition front pressure (as in the image below). Their most dangerous attacks came from high crosses directed towards their striker Brajanac.

Brann last two goals came in the last 15 minutes of the match after a great switch of play to exploit Vålerenga ‘weak side’ and a close-range finish by Sande (2-3) and a penalty scored by Heggebø after another ball recovery in the opposition half (2-4).

Here the player who stood out in this match:

Magnus Riisnæs (Vålerenga), right winger born 2004.

Magnus creativity and technical skills are outstanding. He entertained the spectators with moments of pure class; examples are when he ‘nutmegged’ his opponent with the outside of his foot before playing a precise pass down the line to start a fast counterattack or when he assisted Brajanac (ex Hobro and Randers) for his team first goal by cutting the ball back with his heel. He was precise when he finished with his left foot to even the result (2-2) after a well-timed entry in the penalty box.

Magnus end product, confidence and ball mastery are signs of a great future. His next step can be a mid-table team in Serie A before aiming even higher, at the Premier League.

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