Mathias Kvistgaarden vs Randers FC - Match Report

Randers FC 2 - 2 Brondby IF | Danish Superliga 2023-24 | Written December 1, 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: 69

Touches: 35

Shots: 2

Goals: 0

Expected Goals: 0.64

Assists: 0

Expected Assists: 0.02

Passes: 9/13

Pass Accuracy: 69%

Successful Dribbles: 0/2

Match Summary

Brondby entered this game following a well-earned 1-0 home victory over Viborg, making it their second in a row in the league. Randers had fought back well the week before this game to earn a point away at Midtjylland. Brondby lined up in their regularly seen 3-4-1-2, countered by Randers with a 4-4-2 shape.

Randers’ four-at-the-back formation forced some tactical tweaks from Brondby that I hadn’t seen in the previous two games I watched - they lined up in a 5-4-1 when Randers had the ball, prioritizing compactness and denying central access. Despite the compact defensive shape, Randers were still able to create some chances, registering 1.25 xG in the match. On the ball, Brondby looked like a top-four team, with patient play and ball control. This led to 59% possession and 1.82 xG. In the end, a draw was probably the fairest result, but Brondby will not be very happy they did not leave Randers with a win.

Player Analysis

Technical

• Hips square to fullback when receiving facing fullback, allows for more deception when performing feints, also keeps both options (left or right) open

• Good acceleration and deceleration with the ball *VIDEO OF THIS*

  • Small touches + small strides to slow down defender followed by a bigger touch + longer strides

• Used body well to protect the ball from defenders

  • Especially when having back to goal, was good at leaning into defender to keep him away from the ball

  • Was also good at using arms to maintain separation when receiving with defender on his back

• Showcased excellent off-ball movement again

  • Had excellent box run timing - as soon as crosser rolled ball out of his feet, Kvistgaarden was on the move

  • Good understanding of rotations, third man runs

  • In the video below, Kvistgaarden makes the first run in behind so his teammate can receive a line-breaking pass, then Kvistgaarden receives at the end of the move

Tactical

• Randers 2-4 build-up shape led to Brondby adjusting their out-of-possession shape to a 5-4-1, with Kvistgaarden dropping from the 2 in the 5-3-2 to a right midfielder in the 4 of the 5-4-1

  • On multiple occasions, he showed a good cover shadow - blocking the pass from the LCB to the LB on the wing

  • His positioning as a right midfielder made it easier to curve his pressing run in this fashion

Physical

• Again showcasing his leaping ability, he can ‘hang’ in the air *VIDEO OF THIS*

• Can turn sharply with the ball after performing feint, uses acceleration well to get away

Psychological

• Showed good responsibility and maturity by adapting to a role he may not be used to/doesn’t want to do

  • As a striker, having to track back as a winger is maybe not the most ideal

  • He did it well, tracking back as the Randers left-back pushed up