This Scout Report is created

and explained with images and

video documentation.

The VIDEO DOCUMENTATION

can be downloaded on the
following link :
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aq04tVT1
0Z7fgYc66u9CPxc7K88EfA

SYSTEM OF PLAY :
4-2-3-1 centrally symmetrical
-Shkendija's team prefers playing possession, with
patience + concentration during the offensive
construction. Short play with one-two passes,
filtrate passes between the opponent's lines ,
changes of play on the flanks are fundamental
principles for their offensive construction.
-Fast wingers good in 1vs1, creative nb.10 ,
intelligent defensive midfielders with good
technique, fast offensive fullbacks
-The wingers move centrally + the strikers drops
between the opponent's lines , creating a 4-line
central passing options for the two holding
midfielders. It looks like 4-2-4 or 2-4-4 when the
fullbacks attack the flanks.

SYSTEM OF PLAY :
4-2-3-1 centrally symmetrical
-The fullbacks attack laterally the flanks left
empty by the wingers.
-The 4 offensive players /wingers+striker+
+attacking midfielder/ often interchange
their positions, creating confusion in
opponent's defence.

-Diagonal long pass in profoundness for the

4 offensive players /wingers+striker+
+attacking midfielder/ is often used.
This duty is to the defensive midfileders or
the central defenders /Alimi + Cuculi very
often/ .

SYSTEM OF PLAY :
4-2-3-1 centrally symmetrical
-Very aggresive, compact, short and with
elevated density during the defensive phase.
4-4-2 zonal is the basic shape, with the strikers
blocking the pass trajectories from the
opponent's central defenders to the opponent's
midfileders.
-The central defenders often follow their direct
opponents
-The wingers often follow the opponent's
fullbacks on the flanks, helping their teammates
laterally.
-During some specific games, they use man
marking for blocking the opponent's tactical
variations.

SYSTEM OF PLAY :
4-2-3-1 centrally symmetrical
-Lethal offensive transition, thanks to the
velocity, acceleration and dribbling of the
Wingers and the Striker.
-During the defensive transition, like a result of
attacking with a lot of players, they often leave
a lot of space for eventual opponent's offensive
transition. But they often have minimum 4
players for blocking the opponent's offensive
transition. Very aggresive approach during this
phase. Vujcic's and Alimis positional play are
fundamental.
-The substitutions are often positional and don't
change the general structure of the system.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
GOALKEEPER :

Zahov :
good goalkeeper , reactive,
good in 1vs1.

Video documentation :
fundamental
CENTRAL DEFENDERS :

Cuculi :
good central defender. Physically
strong, good in air duels, slow but
positionally intelligent. Often follows
his direct opponent, marking him
aggressively. Often tries to guide the
offensive construction phase with
long diagonal balls in Zone 3-4 , and
filltrated central passes.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Bejtullahi :
Good central defender.
Fast, intelligent for blocking the
opponent's pass trajectories,
strong in air duels. Often
follows his direct opponent,
marking him aggressively.

FULL-BACKS :
LX : Demiri :
fast fullback , good in defensive
1vs1 , normal technique
abilities , attacks laterally when
Junior moves centrally. Often
positioned high.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

RX : Todorovski :
Fast fullback , good in
defensive 1vs1 , attacks
laterally a lot when Radevski
moves centrally, good crossing
abilities. Often positioned high.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Vujcic :
The holding midfielder , the pivot.
Normal technical abilities , but
elevated positional intelligence.
Fundamental for the team.
The synergy between the two lines
and the two phases. Also fundamental
for blocking the opponent's offensive
transitions. Marks the second post in
defensive corner structure.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Alimi :
The playmaker . He is dictating the
tempo. often tries long diagonal passes
in Zone 4 for Junior or Ibraimi.
Great technical abilities. With Vujcic are
covering the central defenders and
moving the ball from flank to flank.
Sometimes can play like attacking
midfielder. Also fundamental for
blocking the opponent's offensive
transitions.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
Hasani :
Classical number 10. Moves between the
lines , sometimes drops down to help
during the construction. Great technical
abilities . Not so fast. Shoot from the
distance, protecting the ball, playing in
small spatial intervals, playing short with
one-two touches. Can also play like striker
or winger, with Ibraimi and the wingers ,
often interchange their positions.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
WINGERS :
LX : Junior :
Fast, great in offensive 1vs1 ,
aggressive in defensive 1vs1 , great
technical abilities. Sometimes loses
the concentration , and makes
wrong decisions. Moves centrally
and attacks in depth. Can also play
like striker or attacking midfielder ,
with Ibraimi and Hasani, often
interchange their positions.

RX : Radevski :
Fast, great in offensive 1vs1 ,
aggressive in defensive 1vs1 , great
technical abilities. Moves centrally
and attacks in depth. Can also play
like striker or attacking midfielder ,
with Ibraimi and Hasani, often
interchange their positions.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
STRIKER :
Ibraimi :
fast striker, with winger's attacking
abilities and midfielder's technical
abilities. Drops down between the
lines very often. Great shoot from
distance. Good in offensive 1vs1.
Attacks in depth.

Substitutions :
Pollozhani :
enters for Alimi or Vujcic .
Positional intelligence , not very
fast, but good for pressing and
blocking the opponent.
Normal technical abilities.

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Taipi :
enters for Alimi or Vujcic.
Good technique. Good
positional play. Sometimes
tries long diagonal passes in
Zone 4.

Juffo :
enters for one of the
wingers or Hasani. Good
attacking midfielder with
great technical abilities.
Morbid tactically and
positional.

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 1 :
- the action starts from Zahov /Gk/. Central defenders
move wide. Fullbacks move high in Zone 2 and wide.
One defensive midfielder drops down from Zone 2.
-the options are :
1. pass for the central defenders , who are moving
wide leaving the central space for the defensive
midfielder.
1.1 the central defenders immediately pass the ball to
the defensive midfielder for starting the development
of the construction phase.
2. pass for the defensive midfielder , who is dropping
from Zone 2 for starting the construction phase.
3. Long pass in Zone 3 for the striker or the
accentrated wingers. //this option is often used if the
opponent is applying high pressing on the defensive
midfielders and central defenders.//

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 2 :
-in this zone they are often numerically superior against
the opponent's strikers : 4vs2
-If the opponent is pressing higher, sometimes the
attacking midfielder drops down from Zone 3 , helping
during the construction phase
1.the options if the defensive midfielder is the ball carrier :
1.1 centrally filtrated pass in Zone 3 between the
opponent's lines for the Attacking midfielder, the
accentrated wingers or the striker //dropping from
Zone4//
1.2 lateral pass in Zone 3 for the high fullback , who
attacks the empty flank left by the winger.
1.3 Long diagonal pass in depth in Zone4 for the striker,
attacking midfielder or the opposed winger. They often
interchange their positions for creating confusion in the
opponent's defense , so , sometimes the striker is the
winger, the attacking midfielder is the winger, the winger
is the striker, the striker is the attacking midfielder etc.

-In this zone they are often numerically superior

against the opponent's strikers : 4vs2

Centrally filtrated pass in Zone 3 between

the opponent's lines

Long diagonal pass in depth in Zone4 for the striker,

attacking midfielder or the opposed winger.

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 2 :
2. the options if the central defender is the ball
carrier :
2.1 centrally filtrated pass in Zone 3 between the
opponent's lines for the Attacking midfielder, the
accentrated wingers or the striker //dropping
from Zone4//
2.2 lateral pass in Zone 3 for the high fullback ,
who attacks the empty flank left by the winger.
2.3 Long diagonal or vertical pass in depth in
Zone4 for the striker, attacking midfielder or the
opposed winger.
*if the opponent is playing with low barycenter,
some of this options happen again in Zone 3
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 3 :
1. Centrally
-In this Zone, if the ball is centrally the full backs
are wide and symmetrical. The wingers are
centrally between the opponents lines.

-if the opponent is playing with low barycenter ,

the situations with centrally filtrated passes
between the lines happen again.
-The wingers centrally + the striker between the
lines + the attacking midfielder + one of the
defensive midfielders , through short fast play
with one-two touches , are trying centrally to
enter in Zone 4. If this option is productive , the
spectacular one-two touches plays are
fundamental and entertaining.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

-if the opponent is playing with low barycenter , the

situations with centrally filtrated passes between the
lines happen again.

The wingers move central , leaving the flanks for

the lateral insertions of the fullbacks.

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 3 :
2. Laterally :
-In this Zone, if the ball is laterally, the full backs are
asymmetrical.
-They create dynamical rhomboids and triangles
through their dynamical positions. This positional play
through possession, helps them entering in the Zone 4
laterally or moving the ball centrally for eventual game
change on the other flank.
*Winger-Fullback-Attacking Midfielder-Defensive
Midfielder.
*Winger-Fullback-Striker-Defensive Midfielder.
*Winger-Fullback-Attacking Midfielder-Striker.
-The 4 offensive players often interchange their
positions for creating confusion in the opponent's
defense , so , sometimes the striker is the winger, the
attacking midfielder is the winger, the winger is the
striker, the striker is the attacking midfielder etc.

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 3 :
Specific offensive variation : very
effective and productive.
-The striker /Ibraimi/ drops down in central-left
Zone 3 receiving the ball between the lines. When
he turns , the main purpose is the long diagonal
pass in Zone 4 for the right winger /Radevski/,
who attacks the opponent's central backs from
behind through a diagonally central insertions. In
meantime , leaving the right flank free and empty
for lateral insertions by the right fullback
/Todorovski/.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

OFFENSIVE PHASE
ZONE 4 :
-They

attack with the 4 offensive players.

-The fullbacks or one of the wingers often are

crossing from the flanks.

-The defensive midfielders are protecting the

defense and expecting the eventual second balls.
-The fullbacks are asymmetrical, if one attacks , the
opposite is in Zone 3 near the defensive midfielder.
-In the penalty box are 3-4 players ready to score
-In the penalty box , they don't have synchronized
movements, but prefer to use their intuition and
imagination.

DEFENSIVE PHASE
4-4-2 zonal :
-The wingers drop down near the defensive midfielders.
-The striker and the attacking midfielder are passively
pressing the opponent's defenders , blocking the eventual
pass trajectories for the opponent's midfielders.
- the squad is very short, aggressive, compact and dense.
In Zone 2, when their barycenter is low, their density is
elevated.
-The fullbacks and the wingers take care for the
opponent's wingers and fullbacks, helping each other
during the lateral defense. The defensive midfielders are
covering the fullbacks during the offensive phase.
-The central defenders//physically strong and with normal
velocity// , if are playing against one striker, interchange
their duties of marking and covering. If are playing against
two strikers, marking is a priority, helped by one of the
fullbacks or one defensive midfielder for covering.

Elevated density and compactness in Zone 2

DEFENSIVE PHASE
PRESSING :
-the pressing, for most of the time is
MEDIUM.
The two strikers, passively marking the opponent's
central defenders, are blocking the pass
trajectories for the opponent's midfielders staying
near them. The defensive midfielders//Vujcic+
+Alimi// are marking the opponent's midfielders
from behind, with aggressive attitude. When the
ball reaches the end of Zone 3 - beginning of Zone
2, their attitude becomes very aggressive.
The objective is taking the ball without foul and
immediately creating offensive transition with the
strikers running in depth.
//often are playing against 4-2-3-1 /4-4-2
formations //.

DEFENSIVE PHASE
PRESSING : High pressing
-In some moments, during the game, their
pressing metamorphosis in high pressing, with the
strikers //Hasani+Ibraimi// pressing aggressively
the opponent's central defenders putting pressing
on their low technique abilities for eventual error.
-The wingers are pressing and blocking the
opponent's fullbacks ; the defensive midfielders
are pressing and blocking the opponent's
midfielders ; the central defenders are blocking
and controlling the opponent's strikers.
//often are playing against 4-2-3-1 /4-4-2
formations //

DEFENSIVE PHASE
WEAKNESS :
-when the midfielder line moves forward
//during Medium or High pressing// for
putting aggressive pressing on the opponent's
midfielders , the central defenders are
following their direct opponents/opponent's
strikers and not the midfielder line. In this
case is created enormous spatial interval/
central hole between the two lines. If the
opponents are smart enough , they can use
very effectively this cataclysmic disbalance in
Shkendija's defense organization.
//often are playing against 4-2-3-1 /4-4-2
formations //

DEFENSIVE PHASE
TWO SPECIFIC DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
against GENT's 3-4-3 system :
1. AWAY :
-the offensive system 4-2-3-1 , where Alimi played
like AM , Hasani like ST , Ibraimi like ST , and
Pollozhani like DM near Vujcic , was metamorphosed
in 4-3-1-2.
-This 4-3-1-2 defensive organization , was more man
marking oriented , for blocking GENT's offensive
phase. In Zone 2 was mixed man marking-zonal
marking defensive organization with the same
compactness and elevated density.
-The left winger//Junior// drops down on midfielders
line near Vujcic and Pollozhani , with the main
purpose of marking the opponent's right midfielder.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

DEFENSIVE PHASE
TWO SPECIFIC DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
against GENT's 3-4-3 system :
-The right winger//Ibraimi// moves centrally near
Hasani , for the medium pressing , leaving the three
Gent's defenders free , blocking their passing
trajectories for the two central midfielders.
-the attacking Midfielder//Alimi// stays centrally
between the two Gent's central midfielders , for
marking on of the them, depending of the ball
position.
-Vujcic and Pollozhani , putting aggressive pressing
from behind on the Gent's central midfielders.
-the right fullback //Todorovski// marks Gent's left
midfielder. When Todorovski moves forward for
putting pression on the left midfielder, Pollozhani
drops down in his position , covering him.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

DEFENSIVE PHASE
TWO SPECIFIC DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
against GENT's 3-4-3 system :

-the left fullback//Demiri// + the central defenders

//Cuculi+Bejtullahi// are marking man on man the
three Gent strikers. Often helped with covering by
Todorovski, or Pollozhani, when Todorovski moves
forward for putting pression on the left midfielder.
*When the pressing is high, Alimi, Hasani and
Ibraimi move forward , pressing Gent's three
central defenders. The others are man marking.

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

DEFENSIVE PHASE
TWO SPECIFIC DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
against GENT's 3-4-3 system :
2. HOME :
-the 4-2-3-1 offensive system , where the only change
is Taipi playing for Vujcic , remains the same during
the offensive phase. But , in defense again is
metamorphosed in 4-3-1-2.
-Ibraimi again moves centrally near Hasani, for
passive pressing on Gent's three central defenders ,
blocking the pass trajectories for Gent's central
midfielders.
-The two fullbacks //Demiri+Todorovski// are man
marking Gent's lateral midfielders.

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

DEFENSIVE PHASE
TWO SPECIFIC DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
against GENT's 3-4-3 system :
-The left winger//Junior//, drops down , man marking
the Gent's right striker. The defensive
midfielder//Taipi// is man marking Gent's left striker.
-The central defenders //Cuculi+Bejtullahi// , are
marking-covering Gent's central striker.
-Allimi , remains between the two Gent's central
midfielders , marking one of the depending of the
ball position. With the Pollozhani's help , putting
pressing from behind.

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

OFFENSIVE TRANSITION
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

-Very fast action development. Very productive for

creating fast actions, but not so productive for
finalization.
-The striker, the attacking midfielder and the wingers
are the conductors and they are applying this tactical
principle in a normally effective way. Sometimes
supported by a defensive midfielder or one of the
fullbacks.
-With the Medium pressing and the low barycenter ,
supported with the aggressive approach in Zone2 ,
they have a lot of space for offensive transitions.
- Their movements are intuitive , without structural
dynamical positions.
-This tactical principle can be Positive and Negative.

DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
-Because of their long ball possession , losing ball is
prohibited. But when happens, because of low
concentration, insufficient technique abilities, wrong
tactical position , they try immediately to recover the
ball, pressing the opponent's ball carrier immediately
and aggressively.
-They are covered by the two defensive midfielders in
front of the two central defenders , and often one of
the fullbacks. Vujcic's and Alimis positions are
fundamental for blocking the opponent's eventual
offensive transition.
-The biggest problem if the ball is lost in Zone 2 , then
the two central defenders are alone moving back in
Zone 2.

-This tactical principle is often one of their

weaknesses . But during the game and the process of
developing the game, it can be Positive or Negative.

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION : FUNDAMENTAL !!!!

SET PIECES : DEFENSIVE

CORNERS : mixed marking
-Todorovski is marking the first post,
sometimes moves near the corner taker for
blocking eventual short passes
-Cuculi is marking the area in front of Zahov
-Vujcic is marking the second post
-Ibraimi is concentrated for blocking eventual
short passes
-The others are man marking the opponent's
players.

SET PIECES : DEFENSIVE

-FREE KICK :
LATERAL : zonal marking
-one or two player in the barrier. The others are
positioned in horizontal line , zonal marking, but with
one eye marking their direct opponent.
*If the free kick is like short corner kick , they are
man marking.

CENTRAL :
-four-five players in the barrier .
The others are positioned in horizontal line.

SET PIECES : OFFENSIVE

CORNER KICK :

Ibraimi is the corner taker.

-Hasani attacks the first post.
-Bejtullahi+Cuculi+Junior are attacking centrally , in
front of the goalkeeper.
-Radevski attacks the second post.

-Alimi moves in 16-area ,then moves out expecting

eventual second balls and blocking eventual
opponent's offensive transition.
-Demiri+Todorovski+Vujcic , are behind him with the
same duties.
*Sometimes , Hasani moves near Ibraimi, offering
him a short pass option. In this case Bejtullahi attacks
the first post.

SET PIECES : OFFENSIVE

FREE KICK:
Lateral :
-Ibraimi is the free kick taker. He often want to shoot
on the goal from large distances. But when he is
crossing , four players are attacking the opponent's
area :
*Hasani attacks first post.
*Radevski+Cuculi are attacking centrally.
*Bejtullahi attacks the second post.
-The others are expecting eventual second balls and
blocking eventual opponent's offensive transition.
Central :
-Ibraimi+Demiri+Hasani are the free kick takers
creating specific divergent situations and traps , for
confusing the opponent's goalkeeper.