FC Nordsjælland 2023/24: Why timing is the key to a successful corner kick – set-piece analysis

FC Nordsjælland have had a mixed start to their Danish Superliga campaign so far. They burst out of the blocks, but recent losses in the league have seen them slip down to fifth in the league; meanwhile, in the UEFA Europa Conference League, they have been free-scoring with 10 goals in three games. An exciting transfer market saw them lose Ernest Nuamah for a €25 million fee, where he is currently at Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon, which allowed academy star Andreas Schjelderup to return from Benfica on loan just before the deadline. This is nothing new for a side that has produced talents like Mohammed Kudus and Simon Adingra through their Right to Dream Academy, where a new talented prospect is always on the horizon.

From set plays, Nordsjælland are approaching double figures in goals scored or earned from set pieces. During the opening couple of weeks, the Danish side had a period where they would average a goal every 5-6 corner kicks, although that rate is impossible to sustain.

In this tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics behind FC Nordsjællands attacking corner setups, with an in-depth analysis of why their impeccable timing of runs has been highly effective so far. This set-piece analysis will examine how the different variations have been effective, the reasons for varying their corners, and the potential room for improvement to become the most threatening set-piece side they can be.

The Importance of Timing

Just like in open play, the value of arriving in space rather than waiting in space is crucial. Defending sides cant see all the space and gaps available in the box but can more simply track each attacker. If an attacker finds a space and gets there too early, he is likely to be tracked by a defender while he waits for the ball to arrive, where there is a 50/50 duel between the pair. However, suppose an attacker can time their movement and arrive in the space at the same time as a ball does. In that case, a defender, even if they are just one step behind, wont be able to get to the ball in time before the attacker, who can have an unopposed attempt at attacking the ball.

From corners, Nordsjælland have mainly stuck to the attacking structure below, although there have been slight variations to the positions of players around the box or coming to receive a short pass. A close unit of four attackers on the six-yard line, with one attacker nearer the goal and one by the near side of the six-yard box, making up the players positions inside the box. The neutral, consistent starting positions of the players for every corner makes Nordsjælland a team that is hard to set up against, with the side making their movements in the last second, just before the corner is taken. This means that the defenders have no time to react to alternate runs or unanticipated actions, giving each attacker the advantage.

One of the benefits of having a pack of four players starting in touching distance with each other is that it makes it easier for each individual inside the pack to lose their marker. When one player makes a run around the pack, his marker has the option to either follow behind him, instantly giving him the separation needed, or to run around the opposite side of the pack, aiming to arrive in the space at the same time as the attacker. However, the attacker has the advantage of knowing where the space he has to arrive in is whilst his marker is playing a guessing game.

In the example below, we can see two attackers making their move around their teammates whilst their respective markers take the long way around the pack. Following the kick of the corner, the Nordsjælland attacker is able to arrive in the planned space, whilst his marker is unaware of where that space is and has to react to the attackers movement. The fact that the defender has to react means he arrives in the space a second behind the attacker, but with Nordsjællands moves having the perfect timing, the attacker only needs one second worth of time to execute their headed attempt on goal before the defender arrives and its too late.