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Group B: Montenegro 1-2 Denmark

Game Summary​

  • Denmark dominated possession (70%) but narrow victory with chances at both ends

  • Denmark consistently attempted to build through the thirds and break lines of pressure

  • Denmark willingness to commit players forward in the opposition half left them vulnerable in defensive transitions and Montenegro scored their equaliser following a turnover

  • Denmark's winning goal came from excellent individual play and assist by substitute #18, although the Montenegro goalkeeper will be disappointed to have allowed #11 shot to creep underneath him

  • Standout Performances:

    • Denmark #6 Marvin Nasnas

Starting Line-Ups​

  • Montenegro: 4-4-2 in possession & 4-4-2 out of possession

  • Denmark: 4-3-3 in possession & 4-3-3 out of possession

EU17_ Montenegro vs Denmark_scene1_202608051244.png

Montenegro Observations

 

In Possession

  • Attacked in a 4-4-2 with limited spells of settled possession

  • Predominantly adopted a direct approach, looking to play early into the forward line and utilise the presence and physicality of their two strikers

  • Majority of attacks initiated from regains inside their own half before transitioning quickly to exploit spaces

  • In attacking transitions, players looked to carry the ball forward at pace, with the strikers offering runs ahead of the ball (this provided a forward option and forced the Denmark backline back to create space in front to carry into)​​​​

​

Out of Possession

  • 4-4-2 across all phases​​

  • Pressed from Denmark goal-kicks before generally settling into a 4-4-2 mid-block

  • Allowed Denmark's backline and midfield time and space to dictate possession with the consequence being their structure could be manipulated

    • Despite their physicality advantage (height and size), failed to impose this in duels as team lacked pressure on the ball​

  • During the 2nd Half, adjusted to a 4-5-1 defensive shape in an attempt to better deal with Denmark's midfield dictating play (#6, #8, #10)

    • #18 became the lone striker

    • Three CMs become more man-to-man with #14 (HT sub for #20) tasked with tracking Denmark #6

    • Wide midfielders tracked Denmark's advancing FBs, dropping into the defensive line if required

​

Players

  • #12 (GK) - Simon Sošić

    • Right-footed

    • Predominantly distributed long from goal-kicks and open play

    #15 (RB) - Petar Radomirović

    • No notes

  • #4 (RCB) - Blagoje Uzunovski

    • Comfortable receiving possession under pressure during build-up

    • Played several accurate longer passes into the forward line

    • Dealt well with bouncing balls and aerial situations

    • 21st min: Made an important block inside the penalty area to deny a cutback

    • During the 1st Half, the space between himself and the RB was repeatedly exploited by Denmark. Whether tactical or individual, it proved a recurring issue.

  • #6 (LCB) - Lazar Popović

    • No notes

  • #3 (LB) - Luka Marković

    • No notes

  • #10 (RW) - Mark Dokaj 

    • Left-footed

    • Frequently threatened in attacking transitions through his ball carrying

    • 37:45: Scored Montenegro's equaliser with a composed left-footed finish following an attacking transition (out-to-in run behind)

    • 40:50: Failed to capitalise on a promising counterattack after misplacing the final pass following #18's carry

    • 50:30: Played accurate ball over top of defensive line to find teammates run behind

  • #8 (RCM) - Matija Rakčević

    • Operated from a deeper midfield position than #17 during Montenegro's attacking phases

    • During the 2nd Half was tasked with tracking Denmark's most advanced CM as Montenegro adjusted their defensive structure

  • #17 (LCM) - Petar Vujoivić

    • Left-footed

    • Comfortable receiving under pressure and manipulating the ball in tight spaces

    • Frequently carried possession forward from midfield

    • Attempted progressive through passes into the forward line

    • 37:45: Recovered well after initially overrunning the ball before providing the assist (penetrating pass) for Montenegro's equaliser

  • #11 (LW) - Vesko Čukić

    • Right-footed

    • No significant notes

  • #18 (CF) - Aleksa Caušević

    • Right-footed

    • Displayed effective hold-up play when receiving direct passes into the forward line

    • Frequently carried possession over long distances, maintaining composure rather than forcing play

    • Montenegro's most consistent attacking threat during transition moments

    • Worked hard to counterpress immediately after losing possession

    • Passing quality was inconsistent, with one misplaced pass ending a promising counterattack

  • #20 (CF) - Nikola Vukojević

    • Physically strong centre-forward

    • Looked to make channel runs but was largely contained by Denmark's LCB

    • Did not demonstrate much pace in behind

    • Substituted at HT

  • Substitutions:

    • #14 on for #20 at HT: No notes. Given specific OOP role to mark Denmark #6

    • #19 on for #11 at 67 mins: No notes

    • #9 on for #10 at 82 mins: No notes 

Denmark Observations

 

In Possession

  • 4-3-3 starting structure, adapted as play progressed

  • FBs advanced to provide width, allowing both wingers to operate in narrower positions

  • Midfield rotations were a key feature of Denmark's build-up, with #6 operating as the pivot while #8 and #10 regularly occupied pockets between the lines and interchanged positions

  • #8 occasionally dropped deeper to join and rotate with #6 in build-up

  • #10 generally remained higher between the lines in the left half-space but also drifted into the LB slot to get on the ball in space and facing-forward

  • #6 occasionally pulled into the LB slot to support build-up (receive in space, facing-forward)

  • A recurring build-up pattern involved progression through #4 → #6 → #10, with midfield rotations consistently manipulating Montenegro's 4-4-2 defensive shape to create line-break opportunities

  • Players displayed a strong understanding of their roles and positional responsibilities and team intentions, regularly finding and exploiting available space

  • During the 2nd Half, Montenegro adjusted their defensive structure, requiring Denmark's midfield to work harder to create space, although they continued to progress possession effectively

  • Final 3rd:

    • Attacks frequently developed through the wide areas, with the full-backs providing width and the wingers moving inside to combine with advanced midfielders and centre-forward

    • Progressed attacks through a mixture of forward carries, line-breaking passes and combination play between the lines

    • Combination play around the penalty area regularly created crossing and shooting opportunities

​​​

Out of Possession

  • Defended in a 4-3-3 structure

  • Pressed high, with the centre-forward deeper, marking Montenegro's holding midfielder while the wingers pressed the CBs from narrow starting positions

  • This pressing structure often left Montenegro's FBs available through shorter link passes, although Denmark generally controlled central areas well

  • Spent relatively little time defending in an organised block, with Montenegro predominantly adopting a direct attacking approach

  • Rest defence was typically formed by the two CBs and #6, leaving space for Montenegro to counterattack into wider areas which their equaliser came from​

​

Players​

  • #1 (GK) - Elias Medina

    • Right-footed

    • No significant notes

    #17 (RB) - Elias Nicolai Willumsen

    • Regularly supported attacks through overlapping runs, consistently providing width on the right-hand side

    • High work rate getting up and down the flank

    • On one occasion reached a promising crossing position following good combination play but was slow to execute the final action

    #3 (RCB) - Radhpen Pedersen

    • Right-footed

    • Physically dominant, winning the majority of his aerial and ground duels

    • During the 1st Half, predominantly recycled possession, leaving greater responsibility for progression to the LCB

    • Became more progressive during the 2nd Half, carrying the ball forward and looking to play through the lines more frequently

    • 31:50: Played a forward pass into #9 dropping short

    • 78th min: Carried possession into midfield before finding #9's feet

  • #4 (LCB) - Felix Sommer

    • Right-footed

    • Denmark's more progressive CB during possession

    • Regularly stepped into midfield to carry the ball forward and commit opponents

    • Played multiple successful line-breaking passes as well as an aerial diagonal switch of play

    • His willingness to play forward was rewarded when a long pass over Montenegro's defensive line led to Denmark's opening goal

    • 56:55: Provided good defensive cover to deal with a bouncing ball over the top of the defensive line

  • #2 (LB) - David Stojanovic

    • Right-footed

    • Regularly provided width down the left-hand side with a high work rate

    • Frequently received possession in isolated 1v1 situations

    • Relied more on ball manipulation and body movement than pace to create separation before delivering crosses

  • #6 (DM) - Marvin Nasnas 

    • Standout performer

    • Right-footed

    • Consistently offered a passing option throughout all phases of possession, with Denmark regularly looking to play through him

    • Regularly scanned before receiving, allowing him to adjust his body shape and identify passing options

    • Comfortable receiving under pressure and happy to draw opponents before releasing the ball

    • Displayed an impressive passing range, linking play through short passes, clipped balls over the defensive line, aerial switches and diagonal passes

    • During the 2nd Half, despite receiving much closer attention from Montenegro, intelligently adjusted his positioning to create space for both himself and teammates

    • Competed well defensively despite his smaller stature, making several important regains

    • 86:30: Demonstrated excellent game intelligence after regaining possession from a defensive corner, carrying the ball forward and calmly retaining possession until support arrived

    • 88:00: Aggressively regained possession inside Denmark's defensive third

  • #8 (RCM) - Frederik Vestergaard

    • Right-footed

    • Displayed a strong understanding of Denmark's positional rotations during build-up

    • Comfortable receiving between the lines on the half-turn

    • Frequently progressed play through forward carries and combination play

    • 60:40: Combined with #11 through a one-two before carrying into the final 3rd. Following an initial loose pass, regained possession and produced a disguised through ball which created a close-range shooting opportunity

  • #10 (LCM) - Elias Broberg

    • Left-footed

    • Displayed an excellent understanding of his positional role, regularly identifying pockets of space between the lines

    • Frequently received on the half-turn before carrying possession forward

    • Attempted progressive / penetrating through balls into the forward line

    • Strong connection with #6 during Denmark's build-up

    • 21:00: Received between the lines before carrying forward and playing a through ball which created a goalscoring opportunity

  • #7 (RW) - Benjamin Nicolaisen

    • Right-footed

    • Frequently moved into narrower positions, allowing the right-back to provide width

    • High work rate throughout

    • 31:50: Timed his run beyond the defence before shooting narrowly wide across the goalkeeper

    • Missed a close-range opportunity during the 2nd Half

    #11 (LW) - Omran Khatar

    • Right-footed

    • Combined well with team-mates, particularly #8, during attacking phases

    • Regularly made runs into the penalty area from the left-hand side

    • 75:05: Recognised space well inside the box before finishing across the goalkeeper to score Denmark's winning goal

    #9 (CF) - Mikkel Bro Hansen

    • Regularly provided Denmark with a central vertical passing option

    • Frequently dropped short to receive, linking play through lay-offs, first-time flicks and combinations with supporting midfielders

    • Displayed creativity when linking play around the penalty area

    • Scored Denmark's opening goal

    • Created a goalscoring opportunity through a first-time flick

    • Development areas:

      • Link-up consistency — occasionally attempted ambitious first-time actions when securing possession would have been the better option

      • Passing on the move — final pass lacked consistency on a few occasions following forward carries

  • Substitutions:

    • #12: On for #2 at 54 mins. No notes

    • #5: On for #17 at 54 mins. No notes

    • #18 Mads Jørgensen: On for #10 at 65 mins

      • Small in stature but technically proficient

      • Made an immediate positive impact after coming on

      • Frequently carried the ball forward and showed composure in tight spaces

      • Beat two defenders before providing the assist for Denmark's winning goal

      • Delivered a dangerous cross from the second phase of a corner which created a clear goalscoring opportunity

      • Played a well-weighted ball in behind from the left-hand side which led to another shot on goal

    • #20: On for #11 at 81 mins. No notes

    • #15: On for #7 at 81 mins. No notes

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