A match between two teams promoted from the Ykkösliiga to the Veikkausliiga showcased a strong technical level and impressive tactical organization. Both sides sought to control the game through ball possession, which resulted in numerous scoring opportunities and six goals overall, as the teams ultimately settled for a 3–3 draw.
Turun Palloseura (commonly known as TPS), coached by the Spanish manager Ivan Piñol in a 1-4-3-3 formation, showed composure on the ball and great mobility in midfield with the trio Coulibaly, Boström and Kawakita creating often challenges in their build up phase to the opposition defensive shape by interchanging positions (as you can see in the image below where Kawakita drops in a ´pivot´position).
Out of possession they switched to a 1-4-4-2 formation with the offensive midfielder Coulibaly joining Muzaci in the front two. They set up often in a low block showing good compactness (as you can see in the image below).
They high pressed on goal-kicks with their striker Muzaci directing the play towards one side by splitting up the opposition centre-backs (see image below).
TPS scored all their three goals in the first half before Lahti reduced the gap with Kanté before half-time (40´).
FC Lahti, coached by the Portuguese manager Gonçalo Pereira in a 1-4-3-3 formation both in and out of possession, high pressed on goal-kicks by forcing the play inside with their wingers who approached the opposition centre-backs only after cutting the pass to the full-backs (see image below).
In the second half they put their opponents under heavy pressure and managed to draw the match thanks to Montiel shot from outside the penalty box (70´) and Koskinen last-minute precise shot in the far bottom corner (92´).
Here the two players who stood out:
Aapo Boström (TPS), defensive midfielder born 2006.
Deep-lying playmaker with excellent passing skills over long distances. Aapo demonstrated great vision and awareness when receiving the ball. Strong in physical duels, showed good overall strength and balance.
Aapo is an interesting profile for a mid-table Superliga team in the short-term with the potential to develop even further in an Eredivisie top 6 level midfielder.
Elmer Vauhkonen (TPS), left winger born 2006.
Fast inverted winger, strong in attacking 1v1. He beat his opponents before delivering dangerous crosses (mainly inswing and cutbacks) to create chances. His unpredictability and speed with the ball allowed him to create the conditions for his team third goal. Attacked the back space with well-timed runs.
Elmer would be a good fit for a Danish 1st division top 6 team with a direct style of play, in which he can contribute with his speed and offensive output.
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