The coaching of the Finnish national team talks a lot about the principles of the game. Urheilu’s expert duo hopes that Huuhkajat will open up its principles like Sweden.
The Finnish men’s national football team’s fourth defeat in four Nations League matches became a reality in Helsinki on Sunday.
England beat Finland 3–1 at the Olympic Stadium.
Huuhkajat played his best game of the year in the match, according to Urheilu’s football experts, despite the loss.
‘s experts Toni Koskela and Antti Pohja spoiled Finland’s game after the match ended.
Along with Finland’s good playing, Pohja also highlighted England’s weak opening period.
– Nothing can be taken away from Finland from its excellent opening period, but England was really reluctant during that period. A rather sleepy walk at times, Pohja described.
– England did their minimum, but Finland had more good things in this game than in previous ones, Toni Koskela summarized.
What’s left?
In the end, what will be left for Finland from the October international match window?
Not a single point in terms of results. Two goals scored. Five released.
The England match gave more game-wise than the worse-precipitated Irish struggle. The experts wondered where this Finland, which challenged the English stars on Sunday, was on Thursday night.
That’s why there is something to expect from Finland in the two final games of the Nations League in November, Ireland away and Greece in Helsinki.
– Against Ireland, a game like this in Dublin could lead to a better result. However, it must be noted that, for example, you cannot play the same press against them, their game is different, Pohja reflected.
– Similar ball control as in the opening period against England could be seen from Finland. However, it would be important to see the same things in November as the good things that were seen in October, Pohja thought.
Principles, what are they?
The Finnish coaching staff has heard a lot of talk about the principles of the game in front of the press.
The word “principle” has remained somewhat vague in the ears of experts. Koskela and Pohja unitedly wanted openness from Finland, which is what they want from the game.
– Markku Kanerva’s post-game interview left me with the impression that if they exist and flash in everyone’s mind, then why can’t they be said out loud, Pohja wondered.
Pohja also highlighted what Miika Nuutinen talked about on ‘s TV broadcast. The Danish head coach of the Swedish national team Jon Dahl Tomasson has openly presented his principles according to which the Swedish national team plays nowadays.
– They are not the launch codes for a nuclear weapon, Pohja threw.
Toni Koskela opened the narrator Matti Härkönen upon request, what “principle” means to him in football. They are also the same as in life in general: jointly agreed ways to act on the field.
– They are things that guide behavior. They aim to ensure that, according to them, 11 players on the field can act in the same way on the field.
– Even though in an attack it should always guide the behavior. For example: a player with the ball would always try to pass where there is the biggest space on the field, Koskela explained.
Finnish principles are not always visible
Are Finnish principles visible on the field?
Koskela gives an example of a defensive situation from the match against England, where the behavior of the Finnish players did not necessarily indicate that the principles are clear.
– For example, it is clear that Finland wants to defend its boxing well. But there may be different principles. For example, that they want to guard the players, Koskela opened.
– Players need to know who to prioritize in a two-on-one situation, for example. In the last goal Robert Ivanov could have chosen a more dangerous player, ie By Declan Ricethough Leo Walta it was late. He stayed in the middle ground, i.e. in the middle. Of course, we don’t know how Finland wants to defend this, he explained.