Northern Ireland v Luxembuourg (05/09/2024)

SCOUTING REPORT Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Luxembourg ahead of this evening’s Nations League game in Belfast. LOWDOWN A strong showing in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign saw Luxembourg climb to 84th in the FIFA World Rankings (July 2024) – two places short of their all-time high back in September 2018 and a far cry from their position of 195th in August 2006. Luxembourg finished third in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying group containing Portugal, Slovakia, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Liechtenstein and progressed to the play-offs by virtue of their previous performances in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League when they were runners-up in Group C1. The Red Lions, as they are nicknamed, won five, drew two and lost just three of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches, which included a goalless draw in Slovakia and home (4-1) and away (2-0) triumphs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while they took four points from a possible six against Iceland. Alas Luxembourg’s attempt to make it to a first major tournament finals was halted by Georgia in the play-offs.

TACTICS Luxembourg boss Luc Holtz often varies his tactical approach and regularly deviates between starting with three centre backs or adopting a back four. In their most recent match, a 3-0 friendly defeat to Belgium in Brussels on 8 June, Holtz’s side shaped up in a 5-4-1 formation. Gerson Rodrigues was employed as a loan frontman, while central midfielders Chris Philipps and Christopher Martins sat deep, giving wingers Danel Sinani and Mathias Olesen the licence to get forward and support Rodrigues in attacking situations. It is likely Luxembourg will adopt a similar tactical approach this evening as they look to soak up Northern Ireland pressure and hit the home team on the counter attack. STRENGTHS While they shipped 19 goals in UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Group J, they conceded 15 of those goals in two matches against an ultra-attacking Portugal side. Other than that their almost-successful qualification campaign was built around a solid defence that kept four clean sheets in the group phase. Captain Laurent Jans, who plays at right back/ right wing back or occasionally as a centre back, is an experienced and calming influence in the Red Lions’ backline. He has won 102 senior international caps since 2012. At the other end of the pitch the lively Gerson Rodrigues is a constant threat and Luxembourg’s record goalscorer with 21 strikes in 63 appearances. POSSIBLE LINE-UP GK Anthony Moris LWB Mica Pinto CB Maxime Chanot CB Enes Mahmutovi CB Dirk Carlson RWB Laurent Jans LM Danel Sinani CM Christopher Martins Pereira CM Leandro Barreiro RM Mathias Olesen FW Gerson Rodrigues

PHOTO : SPORTSPRESS.LU

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