The second game of Group A features Norway, potentially the competition’s dark horses, versus Nigeria, who will be trying to put together a good run past the group stages. Norway’s 7-2 thrashing of South Africa simulated a supposed dress-rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s game for the Scandinavians.
Nigeria, contrastingly, used their final friendly before the tournament kicked-off to give some last minute experience to their side. Both Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, whom Total Football Analysis identified as their key players, made appearances. Although, for the latter, only briefly.
In this tactical analysis preview, we shall discuss what you should expect to see from each side as they try to capitalize on the others’ weaknesses. Both sides are smart and the game has all of the foundations to produce a pure slobberknocker. Although with one side much stronger than the other, it could also be a highly uneven contest.
Both sides will look to exploit the flanks through congesting the centre. Norway will hope to manage an aggressive press from Nigerias battering and swaggering forward line. In turn, the Super Falcons will need to move past a defensive block designed to frustrate their own usual attritional defensiveness.
Line-ups
Against South Africa, Norway opted to line up in a 4-4-2. The similarities between the two African sides means that we should anticipate this formational trend to be repeated. Furthermore, this tactic has long been the Norwegians favoured shape.
There has been some consternation amongst fans that this formation does not get the best out of players such as Isabell Herlovsen and Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland up front. Similarly, attacking midfielder, Guro Reiten, will almost inevitably be pushed out wide to accommodate Vilde Bøe Risa and Ingrid Engen in the centre of midfield.
The strength of their recent performance and the flexibility the shape enables, however, add extra weight behind the argument for Martin Sjögren keeping this formation. On the other hand, this does not mean that Norway will insist on a flat structure. The Swedish coach prefers both of his wingers to move inside, allowing space for the full-back to advance into. They often attack in a 4-2-2-2.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have many potential aces up their sleeves. Thomas Dennerby, Sjögrens Swedish compatriot, has a recent track record of mixing up his formations. Whilst his Nigeria side opted for their expected 4-2-3-1 against Canada, in their previous six games, they’ve used five different starting formations.
Naturally, it would be wrong to make an assumption on Nigeria’s chosen shape. However, in terms of what seems likely, we do have some way of making a logical guess. Dennerby appears to have moved away from the three at the back style which categorized much of his thinking previously. Indeed, hes not used this as an option this year.
With four at the back, it looks
