IFK Göteborg visited Hammarby IF in the 9th matchday of the Swedish Allsvenskan. The away side was looking very strong in the first half and during start of the second half, but missed a couple of big chances. After Imad Khalili opened the score for Hammarby IF after a smart run IFK Göteborg completely lost control over the game. In the dying minutes of the game IFK got a penalty after substitute Emil Holm was fouled in the box. Hosam Aiesh confidently slotted the ball in the right corner saving a point for IFK Göteborg.
The 35-year old manager of IFK Göteborg, Poya Asbaghi, played a very fluid 4-2-3-1, which almost never looked like a 4-2-3-1. When IFK Göteborg tried to play it out from the back, central midfielder, Tobias Sana would sit very deep as an extra defender. With left winger Giorgi Kharaishvili sitting quite narrow this created a lot of space for left back Wennerstrom. Without the ball IFK played a very low defensive line with right winger Hosam Aisesh almost acting like a right back.
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, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Alhassan Yusuf
Player profile:
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 18/07/2000
- Current club: IFK Göteborg
- Career: Tiki Taka Academy (Y), IFK Göteborg
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf played a very strong game in midfield for IFK Göteborg. The 20-year old played as the right sided defensive midfielder, alongside Tobias Sana, and really impressed. With 78 touches Yusuf was very involved in the build-up for his team. When Göteborg was in possession Yusuf was playing in the middle of the pitch just in front of Bjärsmyr, Erlingmark and Sana, who dropped back a line. He covered a lot of ground and was always available to receive the ball from his teammates making a lot of smart runs.
His ball distribution was solid, completing 63 out of 67 passes in the game. He played with a very high tempo and seemed to make the right decision almost every time. His short passing was great and he played some nice long balls as well. With the ball at his feet he was really composed. He played a lot of one touch passes when under pressure, but also dribbled past his opponents a couple of times after a smart body feint.
Yusuf is quite vulnerable in the air, only standing at 5’7. On the ground he used his body smart and seemed to be quite strong. He managed to win 60% of his duels and also did a lot of work putting pressure on Hammarby quite high up the pitch. At the end of the game Yusuf looked really tired and it seemed like he lacked some stamina. He wasn’t able to cover as much ground as in the first 70 minutes, which luckily for him didn’t create any really dangerous situations.
Rating – A1
Considering Yusuf is only 20 years old, he put in a really impressive performance. He plays really mature and barely makes mistakes. Yusuf can be easily overlooked, but was really important for a team. It doesn’t surprise me that big teams like Ajax, Feyenoord, Wolves and Sheffield United are being linked to the Nigerian midfielder.
Patrik Karlsson Lagemyr
Player profile:
- Nationality: Swedish
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 18/12/1996
- Current club: IFK Göteborg
- Career: IFK Göteborg
- Position: Striker
- Secondary position: Attacking Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Patrik Karlsson Lagemyr maybe wasn’t as involved in the game as much as he wanted to be, but still showed his class during the game. Karlsson Lagemyr played as the attacking midfielder this the game, but roamed a lot from his position during the game. Defending he sometimes dropped back as a third central midfielder and when IFK tried to press Hammarby he was there as a third striker, doing a lot of work.
The 5’6″ attacker with quite a lean build isn’t physically strong, but with his great acceleration, agility and balance Hammarby really struggled to get the ball off him. In the air the Swede obviously isn’t a threat, but he still somehow managed to win an aerial duel this game.
With the ball at his feet is when Karlsson Lagemyr was the most dangerous. He made smart runs between the lines to receive the ball and didn’t really make runs behind the defense of Hammarby. Karlsson Lagemyr has a great first touch and is very aware of his surroundings. He turned away easily from his defenders with his great agility.
Karlsson Lagemyr’s passing was really good too. In the 54th minute he created a huge chance after a lovely cross to striker Abraham, who managed to miss from really close. Just five minutes later Karlsson Lagemyr should’ve gotten another assist after a great long pass to Kharaishvili who couldn’t finish a 1 on 1.
Rating – A2
Karlsson Lagemyr was a joy to watch at times, but should’ve been involved a bit more this game. He was a too sloppy at times and his lack of height is a bit of a concern too. He was out with a cruciate ligament injury for almost a full year, but showed that he still has plenty of potential.
August Erlingmark
Player profile:
- Nationality:
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 22/04/1998
- Current club: IFK Göteborg
- Career: IFK Göteborg
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary position: Centre Back, Centre Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
August Erlingmark played as the left sided centre back next to Mattias Bjärsmyr. The 22-year old captained his side and looked really natural as a centre back, despite normally playing as a defensive midfielder. Erlingmark is physically very strong and did very well in the air stand at 6’2″. When IFK Göteborg struggled after the Hammarby’s goal, Erlingmark was the one of the few IFK players whose performance didn’t get worse.
Defensively Erlingmark put in a solid performance. The Swede won all of his ground duels and did well in defending 1 on 1’s, even though he seemed a little slow. He was patient defending and always focused on the ball well. IFK Göteborg played a very low defensive line, but Erlingmark still intercepted a couple of balls high up the pitch when he saw the possibility. His vertical range in the air isn’t the best, but this wasn’t a problem against Hammarby.
During Hammarby’s only goal Erlingmark’s positioning was questionable. When Khalili made his smart run in the box, Erlingmark was too focused on the ball and didn’t see him coming. The goal wasn’t completely his fault, since someone else should’ve followed him in the box.
On the ball Erlingmark did well. He didn’t make any weird mistakes and showed to have a nice passing range, completing all three of his long passes. Erlingmark played quite safe for most of the game and rarely dribbled with the ball.
Rating – A2
Giorgi Kharaishvili
Player profile:
- Nationality: Georgian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 29/07/1996
- Current club: IFK Göteborg
- Career: FC Sarbutalo, IFK Göteborg
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary position: Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Giorgi Kharaishvili needed a little time to get into the game against Hammarby. In the first half Kharaishvili was really sloppy with his first touches, dribbles and passes, but a while he showed that he is a very useful player for IFK Göteborg.
The 23-year old Georgian played as the left winger for IFK Göteborg. Kharaishvili sat quite narrow mostly, making space for left back Victor Wernersson who was very active offensively. For Kharaishvili this wasn’t too big of a problem as he is right footed anyway.
The six foot tall attacker was quite strong and Hammarby struggled to get him of the ball, fouling him four times in the process. Kharaishvili put in a lot of work pressing as the second striker next to Abraham, but was also there defensively when his team needed him winning seven out of nine ground duels.
On the ball he could improve still. His dribbles were okay, but he had some issues controlling the ball. Kharaishvili is decent with his left foot, but it’s still a weakness in his game as he missed a couple of big chances with his. His shooting with his right foot is a lot better and probably his main strength. He got close two more times with a half volley and a free kick from the edge of the box.
Rating – B1
Kharaishvili put in a lot of work this game. He made some sloppy mistakes, but I still think he is a strong asset for IFK Göteborg.
Alexander Jallow
Player profile:
- Nationality: Swedish
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 03/03/1998
- Current club: IFK Göteborg
- Career: Avesta AIK (Y), IK Brage, Jönköpings Södra IF, IFK Göteborg
- Position: Right Back
- Secondary position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Right
It must’ve been a pretty frustrating game for Alexander Jallow. The 22-year old Swede played as the right back for IFK Göteborg and made a lot of runs forward, but only got 42 touches in the game. When defending Jallow turned in the right sided centre back with Hosam Aiesh dropping back to right back. After 68 minutes Alexander Jallow had to play as left back after Victor Wernersson was substituted for Emil Holm.
Alexander Jallow put in a decent performance against Hammarby. In possession he went forward a lot, but stayed a bit more narrow with right winger Aiesh staying on the side line. Jallow wasn’t that involved in the build-up, but when he got the ball he often dribbled to the middle to create more options for himself. His passing was quite sloppy and certainly is an area he need to improve on. Defensively Jallow did good. He possesses quite some strength and pace and won most of his ground duels.
On the half of the opponents he lacked some technical abilities. He wasn’t great in small spaces and his first touch could improve. With Aiesh on the right there wasn’t a lot of space for Jallow to rush forward and put in crosses, he only put in one dangerous cross which Sargon Abraham didn’t manage to score. On the left Jallow didn’t get forward much, as he didn’t have a lot of confidence in his left foot.
Rating – B1
Jallow is a very powerful right back, but lacks technicality. For the Swedish Allsvenskan he is still a strong player.
Target Scouting 
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