Superliga in numbers: Nordsjaelland and Copenhagen impress in week three

Week three in the Danish Superliga saw FC Nordsjaelland and FC Copenhagen pull ahead from the pack. We’ve looked the Second Spectrum tracking data from their impressive performances, the drop off in Midtjylland since the departure of Gustav Isaksen, and a dramatic finish in Silkeborg.

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Last season’s Superliga golden boot winner, Gustav Isaksen, completed a move to Italian runners-up Lazio this week. The 22-year-old forward was one of the most impressive players in the league last year, and a huge reason for Midtjylland’s attacking style of play.

While Cho Gue-Sung’s return since arriving – scoring three goals in three games – has been impressive, Midtjylland have a lot of work to do to replace Isaksen’s wider impact.

They were bullied 4-1 by Lyngby at the weekend, who gained their first win of the season. Midtjylland made just 43 attacking entries in the game, the lowest of any team across the Superliga in week three. Much to dwell on for Head Coach Thomas Thomasberg.

No. 9

Following closely behind Nordsjaelland are champions FC Copenhagen, the only other team to still have a 100% record.

They dominated Randers in a 4-0 win in matchday three.

Portuguese midfielder Diogo Gonçalves impressed yet again, increasing his tally for the season to four goals in the Superliga. His double against Randers followed an outstanding showing in midweek, where he assisted three and scored one in FCK’s Champions League qualifying round win over Icelandic side Breidablik.

Against Randers, Gonçalves also completed five line-breaking passes. His creativity is a massive asset to this Copenhagen side.

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FC Nordsjaelland have shown absolutely no signs of a hangover from last season’s title race. They have started the Superliga in fine form, scoring 10 goals (most) and conceding just three.

No performance has been as complete as their 3-1 victory against Brondby at the weekend. Their third and final goal, scored by defender Martin Frese, was a wonderfully constructed 26-pass move. It represents the very best of Head Coach Johannes Thorup’s attacking intentions.

Ernest Nuamah still managed shine in the win. His fourth goal of the season was a beautifully lofted free-kick from just outside the area. He also completed 12 attacking entries, 12 carries and had 26 touches in the final third. He continues to be a menace to opposition defences.

92nd minute

Just as last week saw a 94th-minute winner, Superliga fans were treated to late drama in Friday night’s game between Silkeborg and Vejle.

21-year-old Alexander Lind popped up with a 92nd-minute winner, to complete Silkeborg’s first victory of the season. Remarkably, all three goals in the game were tap-ins.

Onugkha’s opener for Vejle registered an xG of 0.99 – close to a certain chance. McCowatt’s equaliser for Silkeborg reached an expected goals tally of 0.5, and Lind’s winner an xG of 0.7. This made all three of these goals the most likely chances of the weekend.

The Playbook is powered by Genius Sports. Data sourced by Genius Sports’ Second Spectrum tracking technology.