Alious
Danish defender Victor Kristiansen has openly discussed his tactical approach during Denmark’s recent Nations League encounter with Spain, revealing that he deliberately employed a physical strategy against Barcelona’s young prodigy, Lamine Yamal. The match, which took place on Saturday, saw Yamal visibly limping towards the end, raising concerns about his availability for Spain’s upcoming fixture against Serbia on Tuesday.
In a candid interview with Danish publication Ekstra Bladet, Kristiansen shed light on his mindset during the game, particularly his interactions with Yamal. The defender emphasized that his aggressive style wasn’t influenced by the fear of receiving a yellow card. Instead, his approach was a calculated attempt to establish his presence on the field and challenge the young Spanish talent.
“I didn’t have a yellow card in the back of my mind,” Kristiansen explained. “It’s just walking up and saying ‘hey, I’m in the fight too. I’m not afraid of you’.” This statement underscores Kristiansen’s intent to assert himself physically and mentally against his opponent, regardless of Yamal’s rising status in world football.
Kristiansen further elaborated on his tactical reasoning, acknowledging the natural inclination to admire talented players like Yamal. However, he stressed the importance of seizing opportunities for fair, albeit physical, confrontations when they arise. “You can tend to root for a player like that, but when you get a chance to have a good, fair duel that might hurt a little, you have to take advantage of it,” he stated, highlighting the competitive nature of international football.
The Danish defender also provided insights into how Spain’s tactical setup inadvertently aided his approach. He noted that Spain’s decision to allow Pedro Porro to overlap created opportunities for him to engage more directly with Yamal. “Spain made it easier for me by letting Pedro Porro overlap so we could release (Yamal) and I could take over Porro’s run a little faster. So I wasn’t into that clear one-on-one situation that much,” Kristiansen explained, demonstrating his tactical awareness and ability to adapt to the flow of the game.
Despite his physical approach, Kristiansen was quick to acknowledge Yamal’s exceptional talent. He praised the young Spaniard’s skills and potential, stating, “Yamal is a skilled, skilled player and he is really, really good at a young age. He will be one of the best players for many years.” This recognition of Yamal’s abilities adds context to Kristiansen’s defensive strategy, suggesting that his physical play was born out of respect for the threat Yamal posed rather than any intent to harm.
It’s worth noting that Kristiansen’s aggressive style eventually caught up with him, as he received a yellow card in the 85th minute of the match. This booking carries consequences beyond the game against Spain, as it means Kristiansen will be suspended for Denmark’s next fixture due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Kristiansen’s comments offer a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of a defender facing one of football’s brightest young talents. They highlight the physical and psychological elements of the game at the highest level, where respect for an opponent’s abilities is balanced against the need to compete fiercely. The incident also raises questions about the fine line between fair physicality and excessive aggression in modern football, especially when dealing with young, talented players like Yamal.
Alious
