Group B: France 4-0 Denmark

Game Summary

Scoreline not necessarily a true reflection of the game, although France deserved winners
France scored three from set-pieces and offered more threat throughout, but Denmark controlled possession for large periods (60% 1st Half) but failed to create anything (2 shots over 90 mins and both very low xG)
France content (intentional gameplan) to allow Denmark possession, aiming to attack directly in wide areas and in transition
France scored two goals in quick succession (51st and 54th) and were comfortable for the remainder of the game
Denmark effective in 1st phase build-up but often got stuck in the middle 3rd, often failing to penetrate or at times even enter the final 3rd let alone opposition box

Starting Line-Ups

France: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-4-2 out of possession
Denmark: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-3-3 out of possession

EU17_ France vs Denmark_scene1_202608051437.png

France Observations

In Possession

Back four system, with #6 and #8 switching between single and double pivot, #10 most advanced CM, operating between the lines, wide wingers and #13 leading the forward line
Attacked space quickly when available, with emphasis on wide play (FB and winger), channel runs and attacking transitions
Increased possession share in 2nd Half (game state factor), with more patient deep build-up to control the game. Continued attacking quickly after regains

Out of Possession

4-4-2 across all phases - #10 pushed up into the forward line
Content to allow Denmark possession in front of them
Increased pressing intensity once the ball is passed inside their block

Players

#16 (GK) - Axel Decrenisse
- No notes
#2 (RB) - Mathis Chambon
- Gets up and down on RW, supporting attacks in final 3rd with overlaps and underlaps
- 29:50: Drew opponent towards him after receiving before using opponent momentum against him to knock the ball past and play a pass in behind for #13 who was narrowly offside
- 30:50: Late arrival in the final 3rd before displaying game intelligence to play for the corner (intentionally hitting the ball off his opponent) instead of forcing the attack as minimal support
- 36:30: delivery quality whipped cross into the box from deep on the RW
- 52:40: Diagonal drive forward before pass out wide to winger. Positive intent and action
#4 (RCB) - Yoann Becker
- No notes
#15 (LCB) - Léo Lemaitre
- 88:32: scored 4th goal. Arrived at far-post to head in corner from close-range
#5 (LB) - Maël Gernigon
- No notes
#7 (RW) - Joshua Dago
- Right-footed
- 1st Half: appears more of a dribbling winger than an explosive one. Looks to manipulate the ball to create separation. Uses that separation to cross or pass. Although, no particular success.
- Moved to right-sided CF after 64 mins subs
#8 (RCM) - Belive Munongo
- Tall and physical
- Box-to-box profile
- 0-30 mins: won a few physical ground duels, gaining possession in some contested situations
- 55:15: played a long, accurate diagonal pass
#6 (LCM) - Kénan Doganay
- 2nd Half: as France possession increased, #6 became more involved especially in first-phase build-up. Primarily executing link passes.
- Adjusted position during build-up to get on ball in space in front of the Denmark block- pulling out into LB slot and between the CBs
- Rarely forced passes. Plays simple, low-risk passes to retain control and keep possession moving
#11 (LW) - Arone Gadou
- 55:15: controlled long, diagonal pass before driving directly towards goal. Initially showed quick feet and close control to advance but ran into bodies
- 72:30: Scored 3rd goal. Received on LW, diagonal drive towards goal, combined with #10 inside the box before side-foot finish across the GK
#10 (AM) - Yanis Addich
- Right-footed
- 2nd Half: Several examples of receiving and turning between the lines, linking play from back-to-front. Plays one- and two-touch combinations.
- 51st and 54th: Assist for 1st and 2nd goals. Both dangerous outswinging wide freekick deliveries into six-yard box
- 72:30: Assist for 3rd goal. Support run into the box, clever and creative 1st-time backheel pass for #11 to shoot from close-range
#13 (CF) - Noha Tiehi
- Right-footed
- Willing to drift wide to receive and make runs beyond into the channels
- Once wide, frequently put crosses into the box, dribble inside and combined / played penetrative passes
- 1st min: Run beyond the defensive line. Displayed individual skill on the byline to create cutback opportunity
- 27:30: Turn and swivel under pressure to evade pressure before playing a pass in behind for #7 run
- 35-40 mins: multiple runs into the RW channel. On a few occasions, he managed to the ball into the box from this area (passes, crosses and dribbles)
- 47:30: Run into LW channel. Got to byline before cutback into box
- 50:30: Received wide on RW. Wins freekick that led to 2nd goal.
- 53:50: Scores near post header (2-0)
Substitutions:
- #19: On for #13 at 64 mins. Played RW
- #12: On for #2 at 64 mins. No notes
- #17: On for #8 at 74 mins. No notes
- #9: On for #11 at 83 mins. No notes
- #18: On for #7 at 83 mins. No notes

Denmark Observations

In Possession

Formed a 4-2-3-1, with wingers narrow and FBs providing width
Build-Up:
- Always looked to build short from the back
- CBs split and GK in between. Patiently circulated and held onto the ball to invite pressure
- #8 frequently dropped alongside #6 to form a double pivot. Pair interchanged fluidly
- FBs advanced and wingers moved into more central positions
- #14 most advanced CM, operating between the lines alongside the inverted wingers (trio narrow, behind #9)
1st Half:
- Lots of possession. Very effective at progressing from 1st-phase build-up and retaining / circulating in the middle 3rd but offered little threat or penetration in final 3rd
- Attacks either broke down through final individual actions or failed to develop with frequent recycling of possession in advanced areas
- Appeared to prioritise maintaining control and territory as opposed to taking attacking risk
2nd Half:
- 52:10: example of Denmark's effective vertical progression through, with two line-breaks, but failed to create an attempt on goal
- After conceding two goals in quick succession, momentum shifted and control of the ball lessened

Out of Possession

4-3-3 in high pressure phases:
- #9 dropped onto deepest France midfielder
- Wingers narrowed and pressed CBs
- This allowed the opposition chance to progress in wide areas with some manipulation e.g. link pass to FBs
- #8 operates as RCM and #14 as LCM

Players

#1 (GK) - Elias Medina
- Helped Denmark control possession in build-up. Understanding of body shape, passing angles and pass detail
#13 (RB) - Willads Tuxen
- No significant notes
- Provided width and attacking support on RW
#3 (RCB) - Raphael Pedersen
- Helped Denmark control possession in build-up. Understanding of body shape, passing angles and pass detail
- Typically passed on progression responsibility to LCB
- In opening 15 mins, attempted forward passes tended to be high probability / lower risk e.g. wide passing lanes
#4 (LCB) - Felix Sommer
- Helped Denmark control possession in build-up. Understanding of body shape, passing angles and pass detail
- More progressive passer of the CBs
- Disguises forward passes
- Looks to play through the lines
#12 (LB) - Noah Madsen
- Right-footed
- Often received wide on the LW but preferred to use stronger foot and as #11 typically infield, it frequently resulted in Denmark recycling possession once they the final 3rd on this side, as opposed to penetrating / progressing further
#6 (DM) - Marvin Nasnas
- 0-10 mins: Saw lots of the ball. Very sharp, played most one or two-touch. Not only retained under pressure but also looked to play forward at every opportunity, breaking lines to find pocket players
- 0-20 mins: Multiple successful passes through the lines into #11
- 16:50: Heavily involved in a successful possession sequence which progressed Denmark from deep into the final 3rd, including multiple line breaks and a switch to the RW
- 18th min: Dispossessed for first-time after France CF tracked back and nicked ball
- 19th min: Plays a left-footed switch of play. Example of passing range with both feet
- 23:09: Receives in the centre of the pitch under pressure. Turns without taking a touch (spatial awareness) before finding a pass while on the move
#8 (RCM) - Frederik Vestergaard
- No significant notes
- Interchanged with #6 in build-up
- Offered constant support angles in build-up to retain and progress
#14 (LCM) - Viktor Bastrup
- No significant notes
- Most advanced CM, operating between the lines
- Failed to offer further progression / penetration once received in final 3rd
#15 (RW) - Kerim Sedjic
- No significant notes
- Minimal attacking involvement
- Failed to offer further progression / penetration once received in final 3rd
#11 (LW) - Omran Khatar
- No significant notes
- Minimal attacking involvement
- Failed to offer further progression / penetration once received in final 3rd
#9 (CF) - Mikkel Bro Hansen (C)
- 0-35 mins: Plays at a high tempo when he receives and able to face forward. Looks to play forward immediately, as opposed to slowing down to assess best option. This has led to a few ball losses (pass attempts and dribbles into congested areas)
- 67:35: example of note above. Received short and turned before driving at the backline. Has multiple teammates in support but continues carrying and loses possession after runs into bodies. Initial positive play before forcing / rushing the attack
Substitutions:
- #10: On for #14 at HT. No notes
- #7: On for #15 at HT. No notes
- #2: On for #6 at 62 mins. No notes
- #19: On for #11 at 72 mins. No notes
- #20: On for #9 at 79 mins. No notes