UEFA Champions League - Group Stage 1st round 1/2 (19/09/2023)

The UEFA Champions League is back!!!

A lot has happened in the first day of the 1st round in the group stage although without surprises.

I have focused on two matches. One was the return of Newcastle United to the Champions League after more than 20 years and the return of Sandro Tonali to the city of Milan to face his previous club.

The second was the renewed Barcelona against Royal Antwerp, who’s made its comeback after 66 years.

The AC Milan – Newcastle Utd of the group F promised a lot. This group is theoretically the strongest one in this year’s Champions league edition. All teams have arguments to pass and all games should be very even.

In San Siro, both teams had similar approaches in the display of their players on the pitch. Italians and English presented a 1-4-3-3 formation, shape maintained in parts of the game (when defending high in the middle third). The shape shifted for a 1-4-5-1 defending in their midfield and to a 1-5-3-2 when in defending near the area (defensive third).

AC Milan, with more experience in this competition and playing at home, was tactically better. Defended, positioned and closed the spaces well, not allowing many opportunities throughout the match. The transitions to attack were better supported with Giroud moving closer to the midfield, dragging the defense and, consequently, opening spaces. In the wings, Rafa Leão on the left/center left and Chukwueze on the right, provided versatility and speed.

Newcastle tried to explore quick transitions, especially through the right wing with the triangulations involving Trippier, Longstaff and Murphy. Isak was always too far away, either from teammates when worked as an anchor near defense and from goal when he came down in the field to support.

Naturally Milan dominated the game, creating several chances (what a waste by Leão at 33’). The English side seemed to lack creativity to cause danger and surpass the well organised Italian side. Both teams failed to score ending in a 0-0.

The match between Barcelona – Royal Antwerp was one sided.

The Catalans presented the usual 1-4-3-3 formation, which maintained in several periods throughout the match. The shape changed between variations of the 1-4-3-3 and a 1-2-3-5 while attacking in the last third.

Royal Antwerp started out with a 1-4-2-3-1 formation. The shape changed to a 1-4-5-1 and 1-5-4-1 when defending deep.

Despite the first 10 minutes while the teams were more less even, it was widely dominated by Barcelona.  The triangle De Jong – Gundogan – Gavi was very effective in the midfield, controlling possession and giving always pass options. The involvement of the wingbacks in the attack helped and gave options to pass and cross. The front 3 (Félix, Lewandowski and Raphinha) combined well and disorientated the Belgian’s defense. Between minute 11 and 22, the Spanish champions scored three times, decided the match and killed the mental strength of the away team. Second half was more of the same. The most Royal Antwerp could do was counter attack a couple of times, always through their right side. The final result was a clear 5-0 to the Spanish champions.

Molde FK – Galatasaray SK (Playoff’s 1st Leg) UEFA Champions League (2023/2024)

Molde - August 23rd,

A cool evening with some showers set the stage at Aker Stadion (Norway) for Playoff’s 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League. The artificial turf is common in Scandinavia but a rarity elsewhere at this level.

The Norwegian Champion, Molde, received the Turkish Champion, Galatasaray. A very important match for both teams.

Molde, approaching the final third of their season (Eliteserien last match is in early December), arrived at this match with the team geared up and more prepared. They went to the pitch with a 1-3-5-2 formation. When defending in their own half it unfolded in a 1-5-3-2 shape also adopting a 1-5-4-1 at times. While attacking the Norwegian team shown more fluidity presenting mostly 1-3-3-4 or 1-2-3-5 shapes. The home side played with a mixed passing style with high tempo. They played through to break the opposition’s midfield lines, over and around to explore the space in the wings. The fast transitions, counters and quick attacks were effective in taking the ball to finishing zones. Tactically well-prepared Molde’s pressed high with a high block, making it difficult for the Turkish side to construct from the back and allowed them to recover many balls.

Galatasaray, on other hand, had its first official game less than one month before. They adopted a 1-4-2-3-1 Formation. The shape would shift between 1-5-2-2-1 when defending deep and the 1-3-3-4 when in the attacking phase. The away side tried to play over to Icardi and to the back of opposition’s defence. They also played around when they had the possibility. Galatasaray tried to explore the wings, mostly with individual plays. The Turkish never seemed to have much teamwork or work rate which made the match harder.

The match started with Molde stronger and more motivated. The fans helped to push the team forward. The Turkish team looked surprised, showing lack of concentration and communication. The players were slow to recover positions and, consequently, opened spaces between lines and in the defence.

The home side’s teamwork, work rate and aggressiveness to dispute each ball allowed them to score early in the match. Corner on the right and Ellingsen (8’), without any pressure, made the 1-0 with a header.

After the goal, Molde kept the high pressure and the dominium of the game. Physically stronger, highly motivated and with a good positioning, they were recovering balls high in the pitch and attacking mostly through the wings.

Galatasaray tried to react. They played over and around to find spaces, but it didn’t seem possible until the 25th minute. Sérgio Oliveira took a freekick on the central-right side, the ball deflected on the wall and into the goal. 1-1.

Four minutes after, the 1-2. Akgün put a ball over to the back of the defence and Icardi finished it with a great volley.  

The last 15/20 minutes of the first half had opportunities for both sides but the score didn’t change.

Molde was more dominant, playing well and taking the ball to the finishing zone. Having 7 interceptions, 7 completed crosses and 12 shots we can see the home side’s high pressure effect and offensive flow. Galatasaray went to half time with two goals in 2 shots on target out of 3, 2 big opportunities created (1 missed) and giving the impression that, if they managed to increase the pace, they could create much danger to the Norwegians.

The second half was similar to the first. Molde started better, kept pressing high and creating chances to score. They explored mostly the left wing to get the ball near the opposition’s penalty area.

In the 56th minute, Knudtzon crossed from the right to the second post where Haugen appeared, finishing with a half volley and making the equaliser (2-2).

Molde controlled the game until the 90th minute. They kept a high pressure and high block most of the time and created several situations to finish.

Entering the last two minutes of the compensation time, Icardi manages to escape the marking and, in front of the goalkeeper, he assisted Midtsjo. The 2-3 was done.

The match finished soon after.

Molde played very well. They were fierce, had teamwork and worked a lot to try to win the match. The 15 interceptions show how effective the high pressure was. They had a good number of crosses completed (13/22) and managed to put the ball in to be finished, but failed to score the big chances they created (0/3).

Galatasaray was extremely effective. They scored the 3 shots they made on goal and manage to get a great result.

Key Player

Icardi – Was alone most of the time but always focused. In 27 touches in the ball, he was able to make 2 key passes, creating 2 big chances. Won most of the duels. Finishes the game with one goal (What a goal!) and one assist. Absolutely decisive.

Sweden - USA (1/8 Finals) FIFA Women’s World Cup

August 6th, Melbourne.

A chilly evening set the stage for the biggest game of the 1/8 finals (Round of 16).

Sweden (3rd in FIFA Ranking) and the USA (winner of the last two Women’s World Cups and 1st in FIFA Ranking) faced each other to see who would go through the next round. A match between two of the favourites to win this competition.

The Swedish started with a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, assuming a 1-5-3-2 shape when defending deep and alternating a quite a bit the attacking shape throughout the game. They played around, searching to attack through the wings, and over, looking for their forward (Blackstenius). They relied mostly on the set pieces, putting the ball over in the area to try to take advantage of their height. Without ball, they displayed a high block in periods, making difficult for the opposition to make quick transitions, alternating with a medium block.

The Americans got on the pitch with the same formation as the opposition, 1-4-2-3-1. In the few occasions they had to defend deep, the shape alternated between the 1-5-4-1 and a compact 1-4-3-3. The attacking shape changed between the 1-3-3-4, 1-2-4-4- and the 1-2-3-5/1-2-3-3-2. The USA, technically stronger and more athletic, played with a great diversity of options, mixing around to the wings, through balls searching Morgan or over, in the back of opposition defence. They were quick to react and press to the loss of the ball when needed.

The match started somewhat levelled, with an ascendent of the American team. The good positioning of the last champions allowed the to intercept many passes. With the possession gained, the transition into attack was quick, breaking the opposition midfield line with through passes into the middle to be later played for the wings where there was space. On the Swedish side, the last pass wouldn’t come out, the balls over to the forward weren’t effective and the set pieces were put in the opposition’s penalty area by the air but without results.

The dominance of match was undisputed and the opportunities to score for the US team started to amount but were all stopped by Musovic (Swedish GK).

The half time came and nothing changed.

The second half started as the first finished. The North Americans, stronger, faster and with quality passing created several opportunities…and there was Musovic stopping them.

In the last 15 minutes of the regular time, the Swedish, who started positioning themselves higher in the pitch, re-forming their high block and occasionally pressing high, levelled the game. The substitutions refreshed the team and brought some tactical stability. Sweden seemed to make some changes, displaying shapes of 1-4-4-2 and 1-3-4-3, putting more elements in the midfield and closer to the centre forward. From there until the end of the 90 minutes, was the best period of the game for the Scandinavians.

The regular time ended and some players of the USA were beginning to show signs of being emotionally affected.

The Swedish started better the extra time but, soon after, the USA dominated the match until the end.

The extra time ended with a 0-0. None of the teams were able to score. The Scandinavians didn’t create many opportunities of goal and the North Americans, despite the dominance and quantity of chances to score, never managed to surpass Musovic.

In the penalties, 4-3 to Sweden, won the team who could control better their emotions. The Swedish go to the next round where they’ll face Japan. The USA didn’t have luck and go home earlier than many expected.

Key Player:

Zecira Musovic (Sweden) – Always focused, determined and well positioned. Saved everything there was to be saved during the 120 minutes. Highly influential.

Japan - Norway (1/8 Finals) FIFA Women’s World Cup

Wellington, August 5th.

For the 1/8 finals, Japan and Norway met to decide who would go through the next round.
A match between two former winners of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (Japan in 2011 and Norway in 1995).

While the Japanese team reached this stage without any difficulties, the Scandinavians struggled to pass the group until the last match.

The East Asian squad came to this match with a 1-3-4-3 starting formation, which was maintained in the middle third. When defending deep (first third), often changed to a 1-5-4-1 or 1-5-3-2. When attacking in the last third it would change to a fluid 1-3-3-4.

On the other hand, the Northern Europeans started the match in a 1-4-3-3 formation, shifting to a 1-6-3-1 or 1-5-4-1 while defending middle and first third of the pitch. On attack, second and final third, the 1-4-3-3 changed to a 1-4-1-2-3 or a 1-3-3-1-3.

In a chilly evening in Wellington, New Zealand, Japan started the game playing around with short passing, very organised in the midfield and in defence, trying to explore the spaces available in the back of the opposition defenders, in the wings (specially on the left with some 1v2 plays) and between the lines of Norway’s defence and midfield. The players reacted and pressed immediately after losing the ball possession. Without the ball, the team formed a mid-block, occupying all the defensive midfield and pressing as soon as the ball entered that space. This strategy allowed them to control the game most of the time and to create danger.

Norway, which has taller and physically stronger players, entered nervous in the game, defending very deep with a low block. They tried to go forward more directly using through balls and also over, looking for Sophie Haug but the Central Forward was too alone (due to the defensive low block) to capitalise that strategy.

On the 15th minute, the Asian team scored first when Engen (Norway’s CM) cut a cross which resulted in an own goal. This caused the reaction of the Scandinavians who, 5 minutes later, equalised with Reiten’s header after a cross from their right.

Japan controlled the game until half time. Japan seemed to have the upper hand. Quality passing, very high work rate and teamwork, good communication and comprehensive knowledge of the team’s strategy were decisive factors. On Norway’s side, despite the good reaction to the goal conceded, the team seemed disconnected, lacking confidence, communication and concentration.

The second half started and soon enough, the Japanese assumed control of the game and scored for the second time through Shimizu (50’), following a possession recovery inside Norway’s penalty area.

The Norwegians were unable to react and Japan’s team kept doing their game. Playing simple, exploring the spaces between lines to advance in the field, build up plays or using through passes to explore the space and the speed of their players.

At the 72nd minute, the Japanese side brought Ueki in to refresh the attack, lowered the lines and started betting more in counter attacks and quick transitions. Soon after (74’), Norway’s team also made some tactical changes, bringing Hegerberg (FW) in and taking Tuva Hansen out (LB) betting more in the attack.

The substitution seemed to have immediate results and the Scandinavians started to dominate the game, creating several chances. Still, Japan scored the third goal from Miyazawa, through a supported counterattack.

The Norwegians had 3 more opportunities but failed to score, settling the final score Japan 3 - 1 Norway.

Overall, the Japanese were more consistent, emotionally and psychologically controlled, and well prepared. In contrast, the Scandinavians reacted late and couldn’t avoid their fate.

Key Player:

Yui Hasegawa – Very solid game, good quality of passing and vision. Always looked to control the tempo of the game and was very calm in the process of decision making, usually choosing the best option.

FK Bodø/Glimt vs Molde FK - Eliteserien Week 12 (2023)

Bodø, July 2nd.

In a sunny afternoon in Northern Norway, FK Bodø/Glimt received Molde FK for the 12th round of the Eliteserien. A duel between the strongest teams of the last 4 years (2 titles of Eliteserien each), FK Bodø current leader against the previous champion Molde FK.

Bodø/Glimt arrived at this game following the first defeat for the championship (on the 11th round) and a difficult win in the NM Cup.

Molde, trying to recover from a bad start of season, won the previous 2 games.

Tactically, Kjetil Knudsen, the manager of Bodø (yellow) displayed the team in a 1-4-3-3 formation, as usual, to support its attacking playstyle and cover the whole pitch, changing shape for a 1-4-5-1 when defending and to a 1-2-3-5 (closer to a 1-2-3-3-2) while attacking.

Erling Moe, by other hand, displayed Molde’s (blue and white) team in a 1-3-5-2 formation, to overcrowd the midfield, making it difficult for the opposition to contruct game through the middle. The team shape would unfold to a 1-5-3-2 while defending and to a 1-3-3-4 while attacking with controled possession.

The match started with both teams evenly matched. Bodø having the ball more time, playing around and through and Molde trying to capitalise their speed with quick attacks and counters.

The first play of danger belonged to the champions of last season although, in the 15th minute, the game changed. The goalkeeper Kalstrom cut a dangerous play with his arm outside the area, receiving the red card and leaving the blues in numerical inferiority. E.Moe took out Kitolano to put Petersen in the goal. Tactically the team changed the formation to a 1-5-3-1 with very compact lines, more suitable for defending deep and to minimise the spaces.

Bodø/Glimt started attacking more, building pressure and mounting siege on the last third, searching to put the ball on Moumbagna (their target man) or in players coming into the space inside the area. The away team started defending deeper and launching long balls to the forward.

However, against the tide of the game, in a recovered possession on the 24th minute, Molde made the most out of the space on their right wing and Ola Brynhildsen finished well Eriksen’s low cross.

The home team pushed even harder but 11 minutes after the 1st goal, a relief from the defence into midfield where Brynhildsen was faster than Bodø’s defenders and scored the second goal to the away team.

The 0-2 was the result at half time, rewarding the efectiveness of the blue and white team.

The second half started without changes and was dominated from begining to end by the home team.

Bodø/Glimt was more dominant, beting heavily on crosses to the area (31 completed of 64), started producing more occasions of goal but the inaccuracy and the opposition’s goalkeeper Petersen denied the goal. To avoid being caught by surprise they commited several fouls to stop counters and quick attacks from the away team.

On other side, Molde was resignated to defence as their only forward was always alone, without stamina thus an easy prey to the home team’s defence.

On the 66th minute Bjortuft, who came from the bench a minute earlier, crossed to the second post to find Moumbagna without marking, who scored with a header. 1-2 with almost half an hour to play.

The time passed and Bodø’s side, unable to reach the draw, starting to lose coolness. In the 82nd minute, Berg reflected the emotional status of home team.

Finally, in the 3rd minute of the extra time, the equaliser for the home team came by Saltnes after a Elabdellaoui’s header that hit the cross bar.

The match finished 2-2, Bodø/Glimt should be disappointed at themselves. They dominated the game but failed to score more despite having numerous opportunities, reflected on getting 5,4 xG (expected goals). The leader of the classification lost 5 points in the last 2 games and stays 6 points ahead of Tromsø (1 game less).

Molde ended up getting a very good result. They managed to resist to the attacking avalanche and secured a point.

Players in Focus

Ola Brynhildsen - Clinical, needed 2 shots to make what the opposition team did in 30

Oliver Petersen - With 8 saves, 6 in the second half, was the big responsible for maintaining Molde’s side in the game by delaying Bodø’s goals