Mathias Kvistgaarden vs AGF Aarhus - Match Report

AGF Aarhus 0 - 3 Brondby IF | Danish Superliga 2023-24 | Written November 29, 2023

Player Information:

Name: Mathias Kvistgaarden

Club: Brondby IF

Nationality: Denmark

Age: 21 (Born 2002)

Position in match: Striker (right), striker (left)

Preferred foot: Right

Height: 1.73m

Match Stats (via FotMob):

Minutes played: 90

Touches: 58

Shots: 3

Goals: 0

Expected Goals: 0.30

Assists: 1

Expected Assists: 0.35

Passes: 24/34

Pass Accuracy: 71%

Successful Dribbles: 1/4

Penalties Won: 1

Match Summary

Brondby had won their previous four league matches before this one, and needed a win to keep pace with FC Kobenhavn at the top of the table. On the other hand, Aarhus had not lost since the first matchday of the season, with a mix of draws and wins. Both teams lined up in different variations of three at-the-back formations:

The first twenty minutes of the match were played at a decent pace, with both teams creating shooting opportunities. Neither team was pressing aggressively high up the pitch, instead dropping their wingbacks and settling into 5-3-2 out-of-possession structures. The match changed in the 23rd minute when a slip by Aarhus keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell presented the ball to Mathias Kvistgaarden 2 yards out from the Aarhus goal. The keeper chose to drag him down, resulting in a penalty and a red card for clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. The penalty was converted, and it was smooth sailing for Brondby for the remaining sixty minutes. They only conceded one shot after the sending-off and were able to capitalize on their dominance to leave Aarhus with a 3-0 win.

Player Analysis

Technical

• He is a good header of the ball, I mentioned his good leap in 1st match report

  • There were a few occasions where the ball was purposely sent in the air to him, he dealt with it well and was able to head the ball to the feet of a teammate

  • There were a couple of good flick-ons into space

  • Is positioned as the 1st post player in almost all set piece situations (this requires good leap and heading power)

• Seemed comfortable receiving ball under pressure again, especially when having defender on his back

• Receives on back foot when he can receive facing defender in wide areas

  • Is somewhat hesitant to take on defender in this situation, however

• Tendency to try to play everything in 1-3 touches

  • This was good when he received centrally because there was more congestion, the ball had to move faster

  • However, this led to some rushed crosses/passes from the wide areas - he did not recognize when to slow the game down and take on his opponent

  • Similarly, there were a few occasions on the wing where he tried to cross/pass without having created separation from defender - again, rushing

Tactical

• Had a better understanding of when to check in to the space in between back line and midfield line

  • When he did receive in these situations, his passes back/layoffs to the side were all well-weighted and accurate

• Showed good understanding of player rotations and third man runs

  • Like the first game of his that I watched, he was always checking his shoulder and looking for space to run into

  • Just like vs Lyngby, he played on the shoulder of the centrebacks for a large part of the game

  • His movement was once again excellent, with many in-to-out runs, making him hard to pick up

Physical

• Showcased his impressive leap once again (3/5 aerial duels won)

  • Potential for this to result in him being used as a long ball/flick-on outlet

• Hardly knocked off the ball when receiving with his back to goal