2026-09-24, 06:18 AM - Word count:
Stockholm IK 2-0 Istanbul FK
My debut. It was an adjustment tactically, because Stockholm plays a system that often looks like a 4-2-4. This is not a common approach in France, or Burkina Faso. Also, I noticed that the four defenders tend to stay narrow. So I have to be aware of players making runs behind me. The coach gave me the responsibility of taking some set pieces, which I do not usually do, but it is a good chance to create or score goals, so I am not going to complain.
The first goal was scored by Franco Maestro after some good work to stop an Istanbul attack on our right flank. Lasagna and I teamed up to recover the ball near the corner flag, then progress into midfield. From there, Valar saw Maestro's run and played a good through pass to release him. I think at one point five defenders were chasing him, but he made a good finish. I managed to put him through on goal again a few minutes later but this time he was unlucky and shot just wide.
Something I noticed was that Istanbul attacked our right side a lot. I don't know if this is because they identified me as a weak point, but I think Lasagna and I handled it well. The second goal came from another counter attack after we stopped them on the right flank again. This time a little more fluid.
I stayed wide to pressure the winger, who attempted to force a pass into the box too early. Lasagna was ready, and intercepted, before starting a rapid sequence of quick passes. First to Valar, then to Tälli, who played a one-touch pass into the right half-space for Maestro. Once again, he was able to sprint free to score.
Late in the game, I thought Maestro had a hat-trick after I was able to make a reverse pass into the half-space for him. But this one was disallowed for what I think was a very close offside. It was probably the right decision, but the margin is narrow, see for yourself.
![[Image: STK-IST_OffsideAngle1.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/nzsgRN8b/STK-IST_OffsideAngle1.png)
![[Image: STK-IST_OffsideAngle2.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/ydJtQ2qC/STK-IST_OffsideAngle2.png)
Because of this, I would have to wait for my first assist... But not for long.
Atlético Medellin 0-6 Stockholm IK
Ah, what a result. There is a lot to talk about in this match, but I will keep it brief. I have rambled enough already. The main thing here is that I managed to record my first assist, when I picked out Valar on the edge of the box from a corner kick. I cannot take a lot of credit for this, because Valar did the hard part, scoring with a first time volley across the goal. Excellent finish.
While this match was quite one-sided, I think I was able to show my quality. I led the team in key passes, with nine, including four clear cut chances created (see below). Five completed crosses, too. I re member when I was younger, Philippe would often tell me to "attack the back post" both with my running and with my passes. "There is often space at the back post, Manny," he would say. I have not been able to prove him wrong yet.
![[Image: MED-STK-Chances-Created.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/Gh98MQtF/MED-STK-Chances-Created.png)
Defensively, I think I did well also. Six times I won the ball in our half to stop an attack, with five of them in the defensive third, near the box. Philippe always used to tell our defenders that if the ball gets into the box, the defender has already made a mistake, so the fact only four crosses from our right flank made it into the box -- three of which were unsuccessful -- is encouraging to me.
![[Image: MED-STK-Defensive-Actions.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/Fsmmzs5k/MED-STK-Defensive-Actions.png)
Now I must look forward to the next game, and the rest of this season. I have been told I am already in the top ten Academy players for key passes made, even though I have only played two games. If I want to be drafted high, I must continue to create scoring opportunities and make goal contributions. But I cannot forget to do my defensive duties in this tactical system. If I leave Veggie [Lasagna] exposed, and we concede goals, a good scout will see my part in it.
My debut. It was an adjustment tactically, because Stockholm plays a system that often looks like a 4-2-4. This is not a common approach in France, or Burkina Faso. Also, I noticed that the four defenders tend to stay narrow. So I have to be aware of players making runs behind me. The coach gave me the responsibility of taking some set pieces, which I do not usually do, but it is a good chance to create or score goals, so I am not going to complain.
The first goal was scored by Franco Maestro after some good work to stop an Istanbul attack on our right flank. Lasagna and I teamed up to recover the ball near the corner flag, then progress into midfield. From there, Valar saw Maestro's run and played a good through pass to release him. I think at one point five defenders were chasing him, but he made a good finish. I managed to put him through on goal again a few minutes later but this time he was unlucky and shot just wide.
Something I noticed was that Istanbul attacked our right side a lot. I don't know if this is because they identified me as a weak point, but I think Lasagna and I handled it well. The second goal came from another counter attack after we stopped them on the right flank again. This time a little more fluid.
I stayed wide to pressure the winger, who attempted to force a pass into the box too early. Lasagna was ready, and intercepted, before starting a rapid sequence of quick passes. First to Valar, then to Tälli, who played a one-touch pass into the right half-space for Maestro. Once again, he was able to sprint free to score.
Late in the game, I thought Maestro had a hat-trick after I was able to make a reverse pass into the half-space for him. But this one was disallowed for what I think was a very close offside. It was probably the right decision, but the margin is narrow, see for yourself.
This angle makes it look clear. But when you see the wider angle...
The right back is very close to playing Maestro onside here.
Because of this, I would have to wait for my first assist... But not for long.
Atlético Medellin 0-6 Stockholm IK
Ah, what a result. There is a lot to talk about in this match, but I will keep it brief. I have rambled enough already. The main thing here is that I managed to record my first assist, when I picked out Valar on the edge of the box from a corner kick. I cannot take a lot of credit for this, because Valar did the hard part, scoring with a first time volley across the goal. Excellent finish.
While this match was quite one-sided, I think I was able to show my quality. I led the team in key passes, with nine, including four clear cut chances created (see below). Five completed crosses, too. I re member when I was younger, Philippe would often tell me to "attack the back post" both with my running and with my passes. "There is often space at the back post, Manny," he would say. I have not been able to prove him wrong yet.
Frustratingly, none of these led to goals...
Defensively, I think I did well also. Six times I won the ball in our half to stop an attack, with five of them in the defensive third, near the box. Philippe always used to tell our defenders that if the ball gets into the box, the defender has already made a mistake, so the fact only four crosses from our right flank made it into the box -- three of which were unsuccessful -- is encouraging to me.
My defensive actions against Atlético Medellin
Now I must look forward to the next game, and the rest of this season. I have been told I am already in the top ten Academy players for key passes made, even though I have only played two games. If I want to be drafted high, I must continue to create scoring opportunities and make goal contributions. But I cannot forget to do my defensive duties in this tactical system. If I leave Veggie [Lasagna] exposed, and we concede goals, a good scout will see my part in it.
