Portuguese coach Bruno Romão is an expert on Scandinavian football. In an exclusive Flashscore interview, he explains why Nordic strikers are in high demand on the transfer market, why RB Leipzig went to great lengths to secure Conrad Harder, and why Danish coaches are in high demand in Europe's top leagues.
Bruno Romão has gained worldwide experience as a football coach and is regarded as an absolute expert on Scandinavian football.
The 41-year-old Portuguese has already worked in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea, and Finland, among other countries. He was also active as a coach in the youth department of Sporting CP for many years.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, he speaks about Scandinavian strikers - and also explains why RB Leipzig paid a huge transfer fee to Sporting for the services of Danish attacker Conrad Harder.
Scandinavian strikers - more popular than ever before
Question: Bruno, it's exciting how popular strikers from the Scandinavian region are at the moment. The first name that springs to mind is, of course, Erling Haaland.
But players Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Rasmus Hojlund have also moved clubs for incredible transfer fees in recent years. How do you explain this development?
Bruno Romão:
It has a lot to do with the football played in the leagues there. Studies over the past three years show that in Denmark and Sweden, over 50 per cent - and in Norway even over 80 per cent - of attacks are created by exerting extreme pressure on the opponent. A lot of passes are played into the final third.
This means that the strikers in these leagues see a lot of the ball because there is a lot of action in the penalty area. This is especially true for the attackers at the big clubs. They are often involved in attacking actions and learn to make the right runs.
But there is also a social aspect. In Scandinavia, you learn from an early age to fit into groups and work hard for everyone, not just yourself. In my view, that's a huge factor. There are also great training facilities. Not as good as in Germany, Spain, England, or Portugal - but conditions are characterized by a high degree of stability. The youth players are prepared early on for the leap into professional football.
Question: Many of the Scandinavian strikers are classic target players. They are often players who are physically very strong, but also extremely fast. Would you agree?
Bruno Romão: Yes, I would agree with that. It has a lot to do with how football is understood in these leagues, and which profiles are sought. When young talents grow up, they are often used as strikers. That's another aspect.
Harder's hunger for goals: "He always wants to score."
Question: It is a little surprising that RB Leipzig paid a transfer fee of €24 million for Conrad Harder, according to media reports. After all, he only scored twelve goals in 52 competitive games for Sporting. Do you think Leipzig made the right investment here?
Bruno Romão: I think Leipzig and Sporting signed him because they saw Conrad Harder's potential. He combines many of the qualities we've already mentioned: Athleticism, a clear profile, speed, and agility. His ability to attack the penalty area with and without the ball is very strong.
Counter attacking is a big part of German football. He brings a lot of qualities to that part of the game. He also has something incredibly important: a hunger for goals. He's always looking to finish, to complete the move.
What he still needs to develop, in my opinion: Playing with his back to goal, and the final touch. Sometimes he looks for the finish in complicated situations. That can be frustrating and affect his confidence. He was also unlucky in Portugal because his biggest rival for a regular place - Viktor Gyokeres - was in top form.
Question: Leipzig described Harder in a press release as a striker who likes to get involved in pressing. Do you think Harder is a good team player?
Bruno Romão: Absolutely! In modern football - especially in Germany - many teams actively press. Many teams also play very dynamic counter-attacks that want to exploit the chaos in the opposition's defence. This type of football requires very specific players. And Conrad has the perfect qualities to fit in.
"That's how football works these days."
Question: Harder's move from Portugal to Germany literally happened at the very last minute. Do you feel the Bundesliga is the right next step for him personally? Or do you think it might have been wiser if he had stayed in Lisbon for a few more months?
Bruno Romão: A move after the current season would certainly have been profitable for the clubs and the player. On the other hand, if Harder wants to get more playing time, he is better off in Leipzig.
He has strong competition there, for example, Romulo. But that's basically a different type of striker. Both the Bundesliga - but also the French Ligue 1, for example - represent a great intermediate step for him.
Question: The competition at RB Leipzig is very tough. You've already mentioned Romulo. The club is constantly on the lookout for new top talents who will later be sold for good money. Are you worried that Harder could get lost in this large squad?
Bruno Romão: That's how the market works these days, that's how football works these days. Especially in a setup with several clubs, as in this case with RB Leipzig.
He is a striker who is in the middle of his development. He needs to focus on his process and must now concentrate on adapting to the ideas of coach Ole Werner. I think he'll fit in well with the team.
He needs to get minutes and put himself at the service of the team. Other factors, such as Leipzig's transfer philosophy: That's simply part of football. You can't influence that.