FC COPENHAGEN – MATCH REPORT VS AC HORSENS 08/03/20

FC Copenhagen dominated the ball in this game and created by far the better chances in open play. However, they weren’t able to convert any of these chances and a mix up at a corner led to Horsens scoring the winning goal in the 81st minute. This is my second time watching these players, so I have a bit of an idea of what they are about already.

Ratings

• A1 – Very good, could play higher
• A2 – Strong potential to play higher
• B1 – Good, strong player at level
• B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
• C – Average for the level, rewatch
• D – Below average, don’t follow up

Mikkel Kaufmann

Player profile:

• Nationality: Danish
• Age: 19
• Date of birth: 03/01/2001
• Current Club: FC Copenhagen
• Career: Aalborg BK, FC Copenhagen
• Position: Centre Forward
• Secondary Position: Attacking Midfield
• Preferred foot: Right

Kaufmann was a constant threat to Horsens in this game. He engaged central defenders in duels in the penalty area on a regular basis, winning headers and using his upper body strength to cause them problems throughout.

He had two good efforts on goal from headers, but they came from a bit too far out to truly trouble the goalkeeper. He also got in front of a defender to meet an inswinging cross to the six yard box which whilst he didn’t quite get a strong touch on it, the goalkeeper still had to make a scrambling save to stop it.

He also displayed power and acceleration to get away from defenders after collecting the ball with back to goal just inside the centre circle and running to the edge of the box to take a shot. Unfortunately he dragged the shot wide, but it was a good show of what he’s made of as a player. There was also another shooting opportunity in the penalty area which demonstrated quality ball striking technique but it was straight at the goalkeeper.

His pace and power also makes him perfect to lead a press. As most top sides in Europe play pressing styles, this is a very good sign. Kaufmann has the body shape and a lot of the physical attributes to be a quality number 9 in a top level league. I don’t think there are many players of his age that are built like him and possess the strength and power that he does.

Last time I watched him I wanted to see him get more opportunities to shoot in the penalty area and I was pleased to see that this time. Also, he could do with picking up a little more subtlety in his movement in order to really create space between him and defenders, but there is plenty of time for him to develop this.

On a technical level, his first touch and ball control is a weakness and he’ll need to work on that. It’s not much of an issue when he’s facing away from goal as he can use his body to protect the ball, but it can be a problem when facing towards goal as he allows the ball to get away from him and be stolen by defenders.

Rating: A1

Victor Nelsson

Player profile:

• Nationality: Danish
• Age: 21
• Date of birth: 14/10/1998
• Current Club: FC Copenhagen
• Career: FC Nordsjaelland, FC Copenhagen
• Position: Centre Back
• Preferred foot: Right

Nelsson is an archetypal modern centre back. He’s not particularly tall, although that’s not to say that he’s short at 6 feet and 1 inch. This doesn’t seem to adversely affect him at competing for aerial duels as he has good upper body strength which helps. However, his game is much more about the ball on the floor. He excelled in this game at passing into midfield and playing the ball into the feet of Kaufmann, but he can also carry the ball into midfield to help progress his side up the field.

Defensively he was strong in one v ones and wasn’t dribbled passed at any point. I didn’t get to see recovery pace from him on this occasion as Horsens failed to get in behind the Copenhagen defence. When Horsens did make it to edge of the Copenhagen box he showed good speed over short distance to get out to the danger, either narrowing the angle and forcing the shot off target or to make a block.

Unfortunately he was involved in the mess that caused the Horsens goal, however I would blame the Copenhagen goalkeeper for it as Nelsson looked to be about to head the ball clear, under little pressure, but the goalkeeper jumped into him to try and catch it and dropped the ball.

On the whole, I think Nelsson would make an excellent centre back for any possession based team. Teams in the Top 5 European Leagues looking for a centre back would do well to have him on their list of potential options.

Rating: A1

Jens Stage

Player profile:

• Nationality: Danish
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 08/11/1996
• Current Club: FC Copenhagen
• Career: Brabrand IF, Aarhus GF, FC Copenhagen
• Position: Central Midfield
• Secondary Position: Defensive Midfield / Right Midfield
• Preferred foot: Right

Last time I watched Stage I felt that the game passed him by in the first half, before he stepped it up in the second half and scored an excellent goal. This time around he didn’t score, but his performance in midfield was a reason why Copenhagen were dominant.

He was very good out of possession, primarily recovering the ball through superior positioning and anticipation, but he did win a good number of duels when needed. Physically he was a level above the Horsens midfield so he didn’t find it very difficult to muscle them off the ball.

In possession he was much better at finding space this time around, often dropping back a few yards to receive the ball and give himself room to control before moving it on.

He showed a good range of passing, with some long passes as well as primarily playing short passes to recycle the ball in midfield. I’m not sure he’s got any standout qualities to make it to a higher level, but he’s certainly a strong central midfielder at this one.

Rating: B1

Pep Biel

Player profile:

• Nationality: Spanish
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 05/09/1996
• Current Club: FC Copenhagen
• Career: Rayo Vallecano (Y), CD Llosetense, RCD Mallorca B, AD Almudévar (L), Dep. Aragón, Real Zaragoza, FC Copenhagen
• Position: Right Midfield
• Secondary Position: Central Midfield
• Preferred foot: Left

When I watched Copenhagen last time I felt like Biel caused problems for his own team as he kept coming off the right wing into central areas and clogging up the space for his teammates to play in. In this game he held his position on the right better and when he did come inside it was into inside right channels rather than into central areas.

From this position in the right half space he was able to create two excellent chances – the first an inswinging cross which Kaufmann almost scored and the second an chipped ball over the fullback which led to a one on one opportunity that Michael Santos wasn’t able to take.

In the last 20 minutes of the game he moved to left central midfield, where he created another good opportunity with an outside of the foot pass that split the gap between fullback and centre back and led to another one on one opportunity that was wasted.

He’s not a particularly hard working player in defensive terms but I think he was one of the best players on the pitch in technical terms, with a quality first touch. He’s not quick for a wide player, but he’s much more a playmaker than a winger and his game is much more about taking defenders out of the game by creative passing rather than taking players on.

I think he’s the type of player who would benefit as the main attacking outlet for his team as he needs to see a lot of the ball in order to do damage with his passing. After two watches I think he’s a strong player at this level and if he plays like this again next time I watch Copenhagen I’d be tempted to bump him up into the A bracket as I think he could possibly play for a lower half side of La Liga as it would suit his technical abilities.

Rating: B1