Danish football season 2022/23

Domestic league and cup football
Diouf
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Danish football season 2022/23

Post by Diouf »

Here's a short update on the teams in the Superliga before the league starts tomorrow. They are listed in order according to their odds of winning the title.

FC København (1.95)
The defending champions start out as narrow favourites in what is expected to be another close duel with FCM. For them, the transfer window so far has mainly been about getting permanent deals with the players who helped them to last season's title. They have succeeded by signing Lukas Lerager, Viktor Claesson and Denis Vavro on permanent contracts. The only significant loss has been Jens Stage to Werder Bremen. So this means they will largely be the same team who finished last season, when they go hunting for another title and a CL group stage. There are still some question marks regarding how their offense will be put together. They signed a number of established players during last season, but in the last decisive games, it was their young Icelandic players who started and scored the decisive goals.

FC Midtjylland (2.50)
FCM's key purchase this summer has also been a familiar face as they signed Anders Dreyer, who ripped up the league in the ten playoff matches, on a permanent deal. They also signed relegated SønderjyskE's best central defender Stefan Gartenmann. It is widely expected that a few key players will be sold, particularly Brazilian star playmaker Evander, but so far it hasn't happened. Instead the departures have been the failed purchases. Record signing Marrony flopped completely and has been loaned back to Brazil, Max Meyer and Vagner Love's short team deals have expired, and former Danish NT players Jonas Lössl and Pione Sisto are both unsettled and expected to leave as well.

Brøndby (10.00)
In Brøndby, the transfer window has been quiet so far. There is, as usual, plenty of rumours about a sale of dominating central defender Andreas Maxsø, but nothing has materialized yet. I expect 2-3 new signings, but it also seems like they are mostly willing to give the chance to their young players and those last season signings, who so far hasn't performed on the level of those championship-winning players they replaced.

AaB (23.00)
The side from Northern Jutland has seen quite a lot of action so far. Starting goalkeeper Jacob Rinne and central defender Rasmus Thelander are gone, while four new signings have been presented. Well-known solid Superliga players like Lars Kramer and Allan Sousa, former Danish U21 left back Andreas Poulsen plus new goalkeeper Josip Posavec. The standard of play last season was disappointing with performances on an equal footing with the other teams from 5-8 in the table. They will hope to make a distance to those sides this season.
Last edited by Diouf on Thu Jul 14, 2022 21:20, edited 1 time in total.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

OB (51.00)
OB ended off last season with some good performances, making the Cup final and finishing 2nd in the relegation playoffs. They hope to ride that wave into the new season and make the top 6. Their most prominent buy has been Bjørn Paulsen from Hammarby who will likely start in central defence. Other than that it mainly seems to be squad players leaving and arriving. There was quite a lot of criticism of young keeper Hans Christian Bernat last season, but no new keeper has been purchased yet.

Randers FC (51.00)
Randers did well last season to balance their first ever European group stage with a top 6 finish in the league. Their star creator Vito Hammershøj-Mistrati has gone to CFR Cluj, while central defender Simon Piesinger has gone to Wolfsberger. Finally the club is quite bitter that their biggest talent, U17 League topscorer Alexander Simmelhack, has been snatched by FCK. The most significant signing is winger Edgar Babayan, but I will expect a signing or two to shore up the defense as well.

Silkeborg IF (51.00)
Last season's big success story will try to follow up on the bronze medals with another good performance while playing their first ever European group stage. Surprisingly, none of their great players from last season have gone yet, but there are repeated rumours about several of them. Not much incoming either, except for signing Lucas Engel permanently.

AGF (67.00)
After last season's spectacular collapse, new German coach Uwe Rösler will try to get the Aarhus club back on track. It seems like he will try to pursue a more high-pressing style than that preferred by previous coach David Nielsen. The most promising signing seems to be central midfielder Mads Emil Madsen from Slavia Prague. The departure of Jack Wilshere won't mean much as he never impressed in his short stint.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

FC Nordsjælland (101.00)
The talent factory had their most difficult season for a while in 21/22, where they even looked to be in some relegation danger at times. They have managed to sign permanent deals with goalkeeper Andreas Hansen and midfielder Mads Bidstrup, who lifted the side after joining on loan in January. However, the team has also lost a few key players like winger Simon Adingra to Brighton, central midfielder Magnus Kofod to Venezia and central defender Maxwell Woledzi to Vitoria.

Viborg (151.00)
Last season's promoted team delivered far better than expected with 7th place and winning a European spot through the playoffs. Their performances last season were fully matching their results, but I suspect bookies see a bigger potential for improvement in some of the bigger clubs. So far Viborg is keeping most of their squad, and crucially getting a permanent deal with central defender Nicolas Bürgy.

AC Horsens (401.00)
Horsens came straight back up to the Superliga, but they are now favoured to take the elevator right back down again. They are still keeping their physical and compact style of play, which might explain why they are at least favoured ahead of fellow promoted side Lyngby.

Lyngby (601.00)
Lyngby also made the move straight back up, but is expected to struggle. They have managed to sign experienced central defender Andreas Bjelland on a permanent deal, as well as picking off two of Nykøbing's best players, Mathias Kristensen and Mikkel Juhl.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

Betting odds for being promoted from the second tier, the NordicBet Liga. The top two teams go into the Superliga.

Vejle 1.25
SønderjyskE 1.35
FC Helsingør 3.20
FC Fredericia 5.00
Hvidovre 15.00
Nykøbing FC 15.00
HB Køge 15.00
Hobro 15.00
Vendsyssel 35.00
Fremad Amager 35.00
Næstved 75.00
Hillerød 150.00

So the two relegated teams are clear favourites to get back up. Helsingør, who looked certain to get promoted last year before collapsing towards the end, is seen as their biggest challenger. Fredericia is seen as the 4th strongest team ahead of a middle pack of four teams. In the bottom, the two teams going up from the 2. division are favourites to go back down. Particularly Hillerød which have never been this high in the Danish league system.
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Firnen
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Post by Firnen »

Very poor start to the season for Copenhagen, Midtjylland and Brondby.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

Both FC Midtjylland and FC København started this season with basically the same line-ups as the ones who finished last season strongly. Therefore, I expected to see them out beaming and increasing their dominance in the league. Instead, both sides have stumbled out of the starting blocks, getting only 4 and 3 points respectively in the first three matches.

In fact, FC Midtjylland has already decided to sack coach Bo Henriksen after the club barely squeezed past AEK Larnaca in the CL qualifiers. Henriksen was a bit of a surprise hire since he had previously managed underdogs Horsens and Brønshøj with a focus on defensive tactics and energetic motivation. Resultwise, the outcome of his first season, 21/22, was quite good with a 2nd place, the Cup title, and qualifying for the EL group stage where they finished 3rd. However, the things counting against him was probably that FCM at one point had a significant lead in the league but lost it to a less than great FCK side and that he didn't manage to get much out of expensive offensive purchases (Marrony and Pione Sisto in particular). Also the club said the team's underlying performances as stagnating, when explaining why they sacked him so early in the new season. Caretaker, and previous assistent, Henrik Jensen got a fine start with a 5-1 win in Odense. Star playmaker Evander is currently injured, but still expected to be sold, so one must expect a significant replacement brought in.

In FC København, it shouldn't be ruled out that things could happen for coach Jess Thorup if results do not bounce back quickly. The soft-spoken Thorup has never been favoured by a significant part of the fan base, who still adores the previous coach, the more tough and arrogant Solbakken. And any goodwill coming from last season's league win seem to have dissipated quickly after defeats to Horsens and Viborg. Like with Henriksen in Midtjylland, it's up for debate whether it's the coach's fault for failing to incorporate expensive offensive signings, or whether the players purchased have been wrong. Now it seems like, the club will get a big reinforcement as Mohammed Daramy could be loaned back from Ajax. Daramy was sold for 100 mio DKK at the end of last summer after some stunning performances. The FCK side starting last season reached heights barely seen in the Superliga with Daramy in incredible shape, but have had a hard time replacing him. Both Luther Singh and Akinkunmi Amoo have mostly not been able to play, and the side has missed a quick winger offensively.

Instead, other clubs have grabbed the limelight. And with both FC Midtjylland and FC København starting the season poorly, maybe a year where another side could challenge for the title. Last season's bronze medal winners, Silkeborg, has started out well with 7 points for three matches and wins against both FCM and Brøndby. However, like the two favourites, they do have to balance playing in the Superliga and in a European group stage. So far it's mostly Nicolai Vallys, who is rumoured away, and he could be replaced by Tonni Adamsen, the best player last season in the second tier. The other plastic pitch side FC Nordsjælland has started even better with 9 points in three matches.

There have been a few significant transfers. Promoted side AC Horsens has started well, but their best player, young attacker Casper Tengsted has been purchased by Rosenborg. OB finally purchased a goalkeeper to upgrade on that position with Martin Hansen joining the club from Hannover 96.

League table after 3 matches.
1. FC Nordsjælland 9 points
2. Silkeborg 7
3. AC Horsens 7
4. Viborg 6
5. FC Midtjylland 4
6. AGF 4
7. Randers FC 3
8. FC København 3
9. Brøndby 3
10. Lyngby 1
11. AaB 1
12. OB 1
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Firnen
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Post by Firnen »

Midtjylland managed to waste an 0-3 lead against Lyngby, 3-3.

They're in danger to find themselves 7 points behind 1st place already !
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

Daramy made an immediate impact in his comeback to FCK, starting in the derby against Brøndby which they won 4-1.

A few interesting transfers:
FCK signed Matt Ryan in goal since normal first choice Kamil Grabara is injured and back-up Kalle Johnsson is error-prone. However, Ryan was injured at the first training, so won't play tonight and I'm guessing it's very doubtful if he plays the CL qualifiers either.
Silkeborg confirmed the signing of Tonni Adamsen, who already got a goal on his debut in the 3-1 victory against AaB. However, the club also sold the first of its many much courted playes. Right back Rasmus Carstensen was purchased by Genk for 3 mio. euro.
After years of trying to convince him, Brøndby finally managed to bring back Daniel Wass. They apparently paid around 1.75 mio euro to Atletico Madrid, and he will certainly enter the club as the highest-paid player. While he has mostly played right back or right wing-back for the Danish NT, I'm pretty sure he will mostly play in central midfield for Brøndby. They already brought in Norwegian right-back Sebastian Sebulonsen, while they lack a strong midfield option. The club must still be looking for one or two strong offensive players as well.
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Post by Diouf »

Firnen wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 22:15 Midtjylland managed to waste an 0-3 lead against Lyngby, 3-3.

They're in danger to find themselves 7 points behind 1st place already !
Oops, they did it again. From 3-0 to 3-3 against the other promoted side, Horsens. This time two red cards in the second half helped the debacle along.
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Firnen
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Post by Firnen »

Diouf wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 20:58
Firnen wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 22:15 Midtjylland managed to waste an 0-3 lead against Lyngby, 3-3.

They're in danger to find themselves 7 points behind 1st place already !
Oops, they did it again. From 3-0 to 3-3 against the other promoted side, Horsens. This time two red cards in the second half helped the debacle along.
And Copenhagen is 1-3 down to Randers.

Wild start to the season in Denmark.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

Silkeborg won 'El Plastico' against FC Nordsjælland to go top of the table after six games, courtesy of two goals by new signing Tonni Adamsen. There are still often rumours about the sale of star players Vallys and Helenius, but even if they leave, it looks like they already have one good replacement in Adamsen. The bookmakers now also rank Silkeborg as the most likely competitor to FCK and FCM for the league title. FC København got back on track in Lyngby, while FCM stumbled again against AGF on a horse-damaged pitch in Herning.
In the bottom of the table, OB got a crucial win in a early relegation battle against AC Horsens at home. Another big club AaB also got the first win of their season at home to Brøndby.

Betting odds, champions:
FCK 1.85, FCM 4.20, Silkeborg 10, AGF 15, FCN 15, Randers 20, Brøndby 25

Betting odds, relegation:
Lyngby 1.10, AC Horsens 2.10, OB 2.50, AaB 5.50, Viborg 8

League table after six rounds
1. Silkeborg 13
2. AGF 13
3. FC Nordsjælland 13
4. Randers FC 12
5. FC København 9
6. Viborg 9
----------------------------
7. AC Horsens 8
8. FC Midtjylland 6
9. Brøndby 6
10. AaB 5
11. OB 4
12. Lyngby 2
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

FC Midtjylland found their new coach. Albert Capellas returns to Denmark to take over the struggling championship contenders. In Denmark, he is mostly known for coaching the Danish U21 National side from 2019 to 2021. He took the team to the quarter finals of the euros. Two of the key players in the FCM offensive, Gustav Isaksen and Anders Dreyer, were part of that side.
Before that he has stints as youth and assistant coach in Brøndby. His most recent job has been in the Barcelona academy. He is generally seen as being a bit more of the 4-3-3 possession-based school, so it's another direction than previous coach Bo Henriksen.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

A flurry of activity towards the end of the Danish transfer window, particularly among the big clubs.

The league's perhaps best player, FCK's Pep Biel was purchased by Olympiakos for around 6 mio euro + some options. For around a similar amount, the club purchased Andreas Cornelius from Trabzonspor. This signals quite a change in playing style for the defending champions. Selling a player who has played as a false nine, and bringing in the best Danish target man. FCK also purchased Christian Sørensen from Viborg, who has been maybe the best left back in the league in the last year. The 30-year old made 8 assists and scored 2 goals last season, and was valued at around 1 mio euro. Young winger William Bøving was sold to Sturm Graz for around 2.5 mio euro.

Brøndby finally got some reinforcements to their flailing offense. Striker Ohi Omoijuanfo was purchased in Crvena Zvezda, while one of the biggest league profiles Nicolai Vallys was brought in for 3 mio euro from Silkeborg. The ardent FCK-fan Vallys had publicly declared his wish to join FCK, so it will be interesting to see how he is now received by their biggest rivals.

FC Midtjylland made another big sale as central midfielder Raphael Onyedika went to Club Brügge for around 10 mio euro, and there is still some expectation that his midfield partner Evander could get a late sale to Turkey or Greece. The club loaned in two central midfield replacements. Former player Kristoffer Olsson joins from Anderlecht while Emiliano Martinez was picked up in RB Bragantino.

Kent Nielsen in Silkeborg got in Kasper Kusk to the offensive after the sale of Vallys. Kusk was a key part of Nielsen's championship team in 2013/14. However, he has been a lot out of the team in AaB in recent seasons, so the question is whether Nielsen can get him going again.

FC Nordsjælland bolstered their team in a charge for a surprise top finish by loaning in two strikers Emil Roback and Wahid Faghir from Milan and Stuttgart respectively. Particularly Faghir is well-known in Denmark from his breakthrough in Vejle, and his good performances on the Danish U21 side.

Viborg got in talented left back Oliver Bundgaard from Randers to replace Christian Sørensen, and also signed Tunesian NT player Elias Achouri in Estoril.

A few clubs picked up a significant striker. AGF picked up former Viborg topscorer Sebastian Grønning from Suwon, Lyngby signed former Augsburg-star Alfred Finnbogason while the tall Simon Makienok goes to Horsens.

OB also made a few late signings, but none of them known in Denmark. Franco Tongya from Marseille, Alasana Manneh from Gornik Zabrze and Armin Gigovic from Rostov.
Diouf
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Post by Diouf »

The second round of the Danish Cup has finished. This round included half of the Superliga teams, and two of them are already out. Lyngby lost 2-0 to FC Helsingør from the Nordictbet Liga, while OB lost on penalties to another team from the second tier, Nykøbing FC.

In the third round, the last six teams from the Superliga enters the tournament. The draw is as follows:

Næstved BK (2) v Silkeborg (1)
Hørsholm-Usserød IK (6) v AC Horsens (1)
Vendsyssel FF (2) v Randers FC (1)
FA 2000 (4) v FC Midtjylland (1)
BSF (6) v FC Nordsjælland (1)
AB (3) v AGF (1)
Hobro IK (2) v FC Copenhagen (1)
Aarhus Fremad (3) v Brøndby (1)
Ishøj IF (4) v Viborg FF (1)
Vanløse IF (4) v AaB (1)
Thisted FC (3) v FC Helsingør (2)
Brabrand IF (3) v Vejle Boldklub (2)
Næsby BK (4) v Nykøbing FC (2)
HB Køge (2) v SønderjyskE (2)
FC Roskilde (3) v Fremad Amager (2)
Sædding-Guldager IF (6) v Middelfart BK (4)
EarlofBug
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Post by EarlofBug »

It might be a tough draw for Silkeborg and Randers.
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