OB dominated possession against SønderjyskE but could not take advantage of a number of opportunities and had to come from behind with a late goal to draw 1-1. OB lined up in a fluid 4-4-2 formation whilst SønderjyskE used a 3-1-4-2 system but lacked a creative influence in midfield, with neither team having a shot on target until the 77th minute.
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 in this match
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Danish
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 29/07/1999
- Current Club: Odense BK
- Career: Odense BK
- Position: Central Midfield
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Frøkjær-Jensen was OB’s best performer on the day, starting on the left side of midfield but operating in a free role that saw him receive the ball all over the pitch and cause problems when drifting into central positions. He is an attractive player to watch, with an excellent ability to progress the ball from deep and dribble past players with ease. This was very important to OB’s attacking play as he would constantly be dropping deep to show for the ball and using his technical skill to drive the team forwards.
He operates well around the edge of the box and has a style of play that I feel would be better suited to playing in a more central role as either an 8 or a 10. He linked up well with Svendsen in these positions, moving into the attacking third and playing one-two’s to create shooting opportunities. He has good footwork in tight areas and is very effective at creating space and accelerating away from opponents.
He played a key role in the equalising goal, picking the ball up out wide and drifting inside past a couple of defenders before playing Mikkel Hyllegaard through on goal to finish past the goalkeeper. He is evidently very well equipped to dribble out of pressure but he was also guilty at times of dribbling into pressure and holding on to the ball for slightly too long, although this is only a small criticism.
Rating: A1
A technically gifted player who is developing well and establishing himself as a key player for OB. Another season of regular first-team football would benefit him and should see him ready to take the next step and test his ability at a higher level.
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 06/08/1997
- Current Club: Odense BK
- Career: Molde FK, Hammarby IF, Odds BK (L), Odense BK
- Position: Centre Forward
- Preferred foot: Right
Svendsen had a good game for OB, creating multiple opportunities with clever passes and his intelligent movement off the ball. His role as a predominantly creative outlet in this game meant he played quite deep positionally, often as a second striker, and so we did not see as much of his shooting and goalscoring abilities in this game.
One of his most impressive attributes is his spacial awareness and understanding of where his teammates will be that allows him to bring them into play with a variety of one-touch passes, space-creating dummies and cutbacks into the right areas. He was lively throughout and looked dangerous every time he received the ball, with a clear idea in his mind of his next move and the speed of thought to react quickly to any changes.
He was constantly on the move off the ball, making darting runs either into the channels or in behind the defence which make him very difficult to track and mark. He is a diminutive player, standing at just 5’8, but has quite a stocky build and good ball retention skills that make him difficult to dispossess.
Rating: A2
Svendsen was unlucky not to have at least 1 assist in this game and has strong potential to perform at a higher level based on this performance, although OB may want to see their main striker be slightly more selfish and clinical.
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Danish
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 22/03/1999
- Current Club: Odense BK
- Career: Odense BK
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Preferred foot: Right
Christensen was rarely called into defensive action but was busy with the ball at the feet and showed great confidence in his technical ability. He was clearly trusted by his back four, who were happy to use him as an auxiliary outfield player in the build-up phase to utilise his good passing range and accuracy.
He took risks in possession but remained calm and composed on the ball, almost inviting pressure on to him and relying on his footwork to create space and take players out of the game before progressing it further up the pitch. This style of play leaves him susceptible to being caught in possession and giving away goals but in this match he was successful in playing out of the press.
He was brave and assertive when called in to goalkeeping action, using his imposing 6’3 frame to make a good save at full-stretch and coming off his line to meet crosses confidently. He remained largely untested and was unlucky to concede a goal from a loose ball in the box that he had little chance stopping.
Rating: A2
Hard to judge a goalkeeper on a game in which they faced one shot on target but he put in an assured display with the ball at his feet and his maturity and confidence was very impressive considering his age.
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ugandan
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 28/10/1997
- Current Club: Odense BK
- Career: Aalborg BK (Y), Vendsyssel FF, Odense BK
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Central Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Opondo played on the right wing and caused some problems with his direct style of play and lightning quick pace but failed to meaningfully impact the game and was substituted in the 57th minute. He is a strong ball-carrier and possesses good close control when travelling at speed. However, he often chose to utilise this skill at the wrong time, either inviting pressure in his own half when a pass to a teammate was on or driving down the wing with space over the other side of the pitch.
His passing was too careless at times and he needs to improve his final ball, an albeit difficult skill to execute when trying to maintain balance and pick out a teammate at top speed. He showed a promising ability to get into dangerous crossing positions but just needs to be more effective from these areas. He was lucky not to give a penalty away inside the opening 5 minutes of the match with a clumsy challenge in the box that he would have been relieved to see was waved away.
Rating: B2