As Rasmus Schüller’s replacement, there would be only one obvious option, writes Anssi Karjalainen.
If Matti Peltola is fit, he would be a natural replacement for Rasmus Schüller. EPA / AOP
Huuhkajat played drastically below their level in Ljubljana. Now you have to learn from mistakes.
Finland made such bad mistakes that changes must be made. The first must-win spot is ahead on Tuesday against Kazakhstan.
In Slovenia, the problems of opening the game were completely brought up on the table. Finland had huge problems in the opening phase, when it tried to play away from Slovenia’s pressure in different ways.
But there were also problems in the off-ball phase. In the opening period, when Finland settled in a medium-high block in a 5–2–3 grouping, its shape became long. Although Slovenia opened the game with the help of two strikers, it had no problems overcoming the Finnish press.
Glen Kamara exuded uncertainty. The role as a left center forward already became familiar in the previous international match window. When the nature of the game changed, and Kamara was required more without the ball, the difficulties became apparent. Kamara was late several times in the opening half, when Finland activated its press. Also from his side, Slovenia managed to advance when the placement was incomplete.
The problems were not so prominent against Denmark in September, because then Finland clearly defended for longer periods in the low block, and did not press so high.
Markku Kanerva predicts at Monday’s press conference that there will be changes to the starting line-up. EPA / AOP
In the opening period, Finland’s best phase was seen shortly before the 0–2 setback. Slovenia didn’t press as much from the top anymore, and Kamara couldn’t find enough free spaces between the two bottom lines. There was no free input direction for him. That’s when Kamara fell closer to his more familiar playing spot.
The described situation resulted in Slovenia’s second goal. Finland grouped themselves tightly on the field and forced the game into Slovenia’s shape – into a swamp – when they should have tried to move the Slovenians and play outside the shape at times.
An excellent example also of the fact that getting inside the form is not always the most essential.
Only Kamara’s spike hit didn’t go. Finland made several wrong choices before Slovenia’s 2–0 goal. Still, with the Slovenia match it should be clear that Kamara’s role in such a tough match is not suitable for the upper left arm.
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Head coach Markku Kanerva has more to think about than playing Kamara.
On Monday, we heard the news of a huge setback: Rasmus Schüller is unable to play due to a mild concussion. It knocks the Huhkaji midfield’s most important player out of the puzzle.
From the point of view of Huuhkaji, it is lucky that a broken Kazakhstan, which has drastically overperformed in the current qualifiers, will arrive in Helsinki from Copenhagen. Game-wise, it didn’t perform miracles against Finland, even on its home field.
Schüller’s replacement would be only one obvious option: Matti Peltola. But is the HJK youngster fit to play? He was left out of the squad against Slovenia, presumably due to an injury picked up in Aberdeen.
You could place Kaan Kairinen next to Peltola. In this case, Benjamin Källman, Joel Pohjanpalo and Teemu Pukki could form the top three of the attack, listed from the right. Daniel Håkans can also open as a right winger.
It must be remembered that in the away match in Kazakhstan, Kamara came on the field as a substitute and it was good when he was able to operate against a low lying team in the upper pockets. The same problem-solver role would suit him again.
Opening with three strikers, Huuhkajat seems to be in need of a left winger who is able to pass reliably with his left foot. Most likely, Richard Jensen or Diogo Tomas will replace Leo Väisänen in the top three.