The choices seem to be that Valakari is not properly suited to the Owners’ gaming systems, writes Anssi Karjalainen.
In four matches in the League of Nations, Onni Valakari watched only 24 minutes. Kimmo Brandt / AOP
Happiness Valakaria is neither seen nor heard.
It amazes many. At Zenica, Markku Kanerva filled almost the entire Opening lineup with players who had left percent of the June match. Still, Valakari sat on the bench.
In the first match of the League of Nations, he was excluded when Finland faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in Helsinki. Minutes came at the end of the 24th against Montenegro. The last two matches went with zero minutes.
The situation would be different if Valakari had just broken into the Owls, but it is not. A year ago, he didn’t get a minute at the European Championships. At that time, head coach Kanerva argued that the minutes of each player are weighed on a match-by-match basis.
After Tuesday night’s match, coach Mika Nurmela answered briefly.
– We always try to find the best lineup. This time it meant a few minutes for Onni, Nurmela said of Zenica.
What kind of situation is Valakari expected to bring to help?
Previous performances in the Finnish shirt have shown Valakari’s shortcomings in defensive readiness and ball-free play. Without seeing the exercises, it is impossible to judge whether he has developed in that field.
The fact is, however, that Finland needed a goal at the end of the Bosnia match. Robin Lod came on, Rasmus Schüller had to leave the fray. Winger Ilmari Niskanen was replaced by Robin Taylor, and at the same time Huuhkajat changed his basic system to 4–4–2.
The choices made by Kanerva and the coaching team seem that Valakari is not well-suited to the 5-3-2 and 4-4-2 systems. Valakari is clearly more of a specialist in the tens, moving below the tip.
He and the Owners ’gaming systems now seem like a difficult equation.
The League of Nations eventually became a major showcase for the two entrants, which they also took advantage of.
Lucas Lingman was once again the best on the field. The midfielder who moved to Helsingborg this season has taken big leaps in his career and is now shining against both Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A ball-safe, skillful pitcher is able to control the tempo, and glue the opponent’s players to himself, which in turn opens up spaces elsewhere. Lingman is not in a hurry when he is pressed.
Another breakthrough was Richard Jensenwhose responsibility increased unexpectedly after Daniel O’Shaughnessy was injured against Romania at the outset.
Left-footed Jensen, like O’Shaughnessy, brought the ball-like know-how to the left wing. The business is at a good level. A senior runner in Jensen’s family finds facilities passing an opponent’s press line along the ground.
I dare guess that both will also be seen in Huuhkaji in September. The situation in Valakari is a complete mystery.
Lucas Lingman convincingly entered the A-national team circles. Jussi Eskola