World Cup 2010 Cameroon Vs. Denmark: Clash Of Consistent Styles
With Morten Olsen’s Denmark, you are always going to get a set-up backed-up by smart-if-conservative tactics. Denmark’s clever moments happen off-the-pitch, such as the small shift in formation prior to the Netherlands match that saw them playing more of a 4-5-1 than their customary 4-3-3.
Cameroon is a different type of consistent. When the Lions play, you will - a couple of times per match - raise your head from your match-watching posture to ask yourself “What is Cameroon trying to do?” Most of the time, it’s unclear. A couple of nice Eto’o runs, some through balls that connect with players making diagonal runs, but no consistent approach to trying for goals.
On Saturday, we’ll see consistent if conflicting teams.
Denmark, Going Forward: Cameroon has strength in defensive midfield with the likes of Jean Makoun and Joel Matip, but Denmark’s formation conveniently deploys players around, not within, them. Nicklas Bendtner will play along the line while Thomas Kahlenberg and Dennis Rommedahl attack wide.
While Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Stephane M’Bia should be able to contain the wide attackers’ ability to cut-in and threaten goal, it’s unclear whether they’ll be able to prevent the type of service that nearly put Denmark ahead of the Netherlands earlier this week.
Cameroon, Going Forward: Again, Cameroon’s lack of meaningful width is problematic, as is Samuel Eto’o’s reluctance to play a wide role as the Indomitable Lions look to slam their attack and its best players directly into the middle of Denmark's defense: Daniel Agger, Simon Kjaer, and Christian Poulsen. It will take something unexpected from Eto’o, Pierre Webo and Achille Emana (when he’s on) to create something, and without the tactics to support them opening-up the Danes, the Lions may be left hoping for set pieces and direct kicks.
How The Match Turns: Once midfielder Martin Jorgensen and Thomas Enevoldsen become acquainted with the depth at which the Cameroon midfielders want to play, they will adjust and start picking out Denmark’s wide attackers. From there, the could seem disappointingly easy for Denmark as Cameroon’s struggles continue.
