Halmstad entered the international break two points clear at top of the Swedish Superettan having lost just once in their opening ten matches. After that loss to Norrby on match day two, HBK went on a seven-match winning streak, defeating Örebro and Östersunds along the way.
Managed by their former player, Magnus Haglund, Halmstad held on to their undefeated run in the most dramatic of circumstances. Going into injury time of their final match before the break, Vasteras had a 2-0 lead. Two Halmstad goals in the 92nd and 93rd minute clinched an important point away from home for the side hoping to bounce back to the Allsvenskan at the first time of asking.
This analysis will be presented in the form of a scout report focusing on Halmstad’s play without the ball and how they transition to attack. In this tactical analysis, we analyse the key tactics behind Halmstad’s ascent to the top of the league.
Statistical analysis
As the above tactical diagram shows, Halmstad’s favoured formation this season is a 4-4-2 diamond. Having gone winless in their first two matches, Haglund adapted his set-ups slightly and has kept with the diamond ever since.
Nine players have contributed to 21 goals in Halmstads ten Superettan matches so far this season. This includes one from the goalkeeper Malkolm Nilsson who claimed the equaliser in their thrilling injury-time comeback draw against Västerås.
