Malmo FF - A Swedish Adventure

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“A heroic display from the young keeper.” Heroic indeed - they had one shot all game, and it was off target. He completed a mammoth 5 of his 6 total passes. Getting sick of his agent asking for a new contract after every match!

Records tumbling!



Still turning down bids left, right and centre



Draw for the next round. Our opponents (assuming we progress, of course) will be either Macedonian or Cypriots. My backups must be licking their lips!

 
Allsvenskan - Game 13 - Örebro SK (Home)


My first team takes the field in the league today. Mohlin starts in goal because both of my South Koreans are still on international duty, though should be back in a day or two.

13 seconds into the match Quintero played Jovic through, who skipped past a challenge and fired at the top right corner - a fantastic save denied him.

Linnes’ cross in the 13th minute was brilliantly half volleyed by Thauvin, but the ball unfortunately skidded onto the inside of the far post and bounced clear.

Örebro SK weren’t ready to give in without a fight, and took the lead against the run of play with a well worked move in the 16th minute.

Thauvin, Santos and Jovic were all denied in the 22nd minute from Quintero’s corner.

Jovic drilled home a low half volley from Bengtsson’s cross in the 24th minute to draw us level.

We went into half time all square - not happy!

Jovic’s effort in the 51st minute was blocked at close range, and Thauvin’s attempt to find Santos failed as the Brazilian was tripped. Penalty shouts were waved off.

But just a minute later, Bengtsson’s brilliant cross from the left corner from Quintero’s lobbed pass made it to Santos at the back post, and the Brazilian converted with ease to put us ahead.

A minute later Quintero’s chip across the box was met by the onrushing Gustafson, who drove the ball into the bottom right corner for his first of the season!

Kardum replaced Quintero, still returning to match fitness, on the hour mark.

Bengtsson picked up his 3rd assist in the 68th when his corner was met at the near post by a glancing header from Helander - the captain’s first of the season, after scoring 12 last year!

In the 71st, Thauvin’s cross was met by the head of Santos, but the ball met the bar on it’s way over the goal.

Seconds later, Biro-Biro came on for Crisetig, and Petkovic for Thauvin, the young Swede swapping wings with Santos.

In the 74th minute Kardum slipped Jovic through, but the Serbian’s first effort was parried, before his rebound shot hit the side netting on the wrong side of the post.

A good win in the end, after a disappointing first half. Bengtsson was the obvious star with 3 assists, but all four goalscorers put in good performances.


POM: Pierre Bengtsson (9.1, 0G, 3A)
 
Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round - Second Leg - Sant Juliá (Away)


Santos, Biro-Biro and Sixten Mohlin have been called up for internationals. The latter two would have started today, but miss out for that reason. I’m expecting another comfortable win in this second leg.

It was Delahaye who opened the scoring in the 17th, with a composed finish from Kardum’s pass.

The striker then turned provided for Molins, who smashed a finish into the top corner from close range in the 22nd.

Molins picked up his second in the 30th with an easy volley at the back post from Petkovic’s chipped cross.

Delahaye was fouled in the box in the 39th and a penalty was awarded. Molins sealed his hat trick from the spot.

Ricardinho’s cross in the 41st almost gave him a fourth, but a sliding tackle knocked the ball away, before a similar tackle denied Petkovic at the other post.

Neri found Delahaye in a great position in stoppage time, but the striker took too long and a defender blocked his shot.

I was nervous at half time, as 17 lapses could see us exit the competition!

Neri’s chip forward into the box was met by a cracking Molins volley in the 52nd, and the winger picked up his fourth goal.

In the 54th Molins broke down the right and swung in a low cross to Delahaye, who was taken out before he could get a shot away. Molins put it away emphatically for his 5th of the night!

In the 71st minute Petkovic played him through, but Molins hit the post!

Forsberg replaced Petkovic just afterwards.

Forsberg missed the target in the 73rd when he really should have forced a save at least.

In the 79th Thern came on for Díaz, and I swapped Molins and Delahaye, to try to get a 6th goal from him if possible, having recently learnt of a Steam achievement for that :P

I switched them back in the 85th, and brought Blomqvist on for Romagnoli.

In the 92nd minute, Molins swung in a cross from wide, and Delahaye sent a bullet header past the keeper. Sigh…if only their roles were reversed.

Another great performance tonight, as we snuck into the next round by the narrowest of margins. Delahaye and Molins really filled the stats sheets tonight. We weren’t as clinical as the first leg, having two more shots, but less on target and less goals, though our opponents didn’t have a single shot at all. Over both legs, that’s a shot count of 88-1!


POM: Guillermo Molins (10.0, 5G, 1A)
 
Allsvenskan - Game 14 - Hammarby Fotboll (Home)


Strong lineup against Hammarby today, looking to extend our lead over the chasing pack.

A brilliant long pass from Gustafson in the 7th minute found Thauvin angling in towards the goal. The Frenchman threw his defender as he cut inside brilliantly, before hammering the ball into the woodwork of the top left corner! Close, but no cigar!

KBH opened the scoring on his return to the team after international duty, latching onto Gustafson’s killer ball to finish past the keeper.

Gustafson doubled our lead with the most sensational half-volley in the 15th minute. He chipped the ball down the left for Bengtsson, who crossed from the baseline with his first touch. KBH was beaten in the air at the back post, but the ball lobbed back across goal, where Gustafson met it with an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net!

In the 28th Thauvin sent a ball from wide across the face of the goal, and KBH managed to get a shot, but the angle was too tight even for him, and he hit the side netting.

In the 30th the Korean displayed fantastic awareness to set up our third. Having been sent through by Quintero, he had just the keeper to beat, but he squared the ball between two defenders for Jovic, who had an open net to aim at.

Crisetig’s header from a 35th minute Quintero corner thundered into the crossbar.

Crisetig’s lobbed pass in the 40th found KBH in the top left corner of the box, and he breezed past two players, before squaring for Jovic again. The Serbian’s shot ricocheted off a defender, onto the post, and then clear.

The ball was cleared but only as far as Bengtsson, whose attempted cross forced the flying keeper into a fingertip save over the bar.

Thauvin was found in the 6 yard box by Bengtsson in the 43rd but was denied by the keeper.

KBH’s incredible run in the 62nd took him from the sideline in our half to the top of their box, but he missed the top right corner.

Kardum replaced the brilliant Gustafson in the 64th.

Romagnoli and Delahaye replaced Helander and Jovic in the 75th.

I was disappointed that we didn’t score in the second half, but it was still a comfortable win. KBH and Gustafson, with a goal and assist apiece, were the clear standouts.


POM: Kim Byung-Hyun (9.0, 1G, 1A)
 
Terrible business for Djurgården, who lose their best player for less than half of what they paid for him a year ago. It’s important that going forward the other Swedish teams are keeping their best players in the nation.



Great to see new youngster Chipongue starting off well - his rating was 7.7.

 
Pleased to see I was on track with 1 of my predictions at least ;) Easy does it though and I'm sure next round will be just as easy! Hopefully Swedish NT job comes up soon!
 
JamesScott2908 said:
Pleased to see I was on track with 1 of my predictions at least ;) Easy does it though and I'm sure next round will be just as easy! Hopefully Swedish NT job comes up soon!
Click to expand...

Yeah you did well there! :P Yeah don't think our next opponents are much better. I hope so too but the manager seems pretty secure unfortunately
 
Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round - First Leg - Omonoia (Away)


We shouldn’t have any trouble today against the Cyprian outfit. New signing Chipongue starts in central defence.

Petkovic’s cross in the 9th minute was converted from a fairly tight angle at the far post by Forsberg to give us the lead.

Ricardinho’s free kick in the 13th was saved, but Petkovic made no mistake from a sharp angle off the rebound.

Neri played Delahaye through a minute later, and the young striker demonstrated his composure with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

Neri found Kardum in the area in the 18th, and the starlet made no mistake with his finish.

Petkovic picked up his second in the 25th, Delahaye’s brilliant pass finding him in oceans of space for an easy finish.

Petkovic almost sealed his hat trick in the 42nd but was denied by a great save.

In the 57th he did though, cutting inside off Kardum’s slide tackle, which found his run, and finishing stylishly.

Tinnerholm’s cross in the 62nd fell to Delahaye, but he was denied at close range.

The Belgian had a goal ruled out for offside a minute later.

Thauvin replaced the tiring Petkovic in the 68th, also switching wings with Forsberg.

Lovely interplay between Kardum and Neri sent the latter racing into the box. He chipped a pass forward to Forsberg, who chipped one back in, and it met the run of Kardum, who finished with a powerful volley.

Youth team centre mid Henrik Grändås, who has reasonable potential, and Blomqvist, came on in the 79th for Neri and Ricardinho. Blomqvist switched with Romagnoli.

An 86th minute long ball over the top found their striker alone in our box, but he missed the target with his first time half volley.

Grändås set up Thauvin for an eighth goal in injury time.

Kardum’s pass to Thauvin shortly afterwards was unselfishly squared to Delahaye, who belted a high effort, which the keeper did incredibly well to keep out.

Another easy win today - I really can’t wait until we don’t have to play these qualifiers, they’re really quite pointless. Chipongue had a great debut, though it would have been more of an achievement to have a shocker against this side! Pleased once again with the threat my young stars pose and the chemistry between them.


POM: Drasko Petkovic (9.7. 3G, 1A)
 
Nice result there, I reckon 11-0 on the home leg!! How far on the coefficients do you need to rise before you get auto group stage?
 
JamesScott2908 said:
Nice result there, I reckon 11-0 on the home leg!! How far on the coefficients do you need to rise before you get auto group stage?
Click to expand...

Haha something similar is likely! I think we need to get to 12th for an automatic group stage place, we're currently 15th so a good showing this year could do it for us! :)
 
Allsvenskan - Game 15 - Halmstad (Away)

Strong lineup again today, not much else to say. Romagnoli starts in central defence as Milosevic is suspended.

In just the 2nd minute Thauvin cut inside and sent a perfect pass through to KBH, who shot straight into the keepers arms when he really should have scored.

Thauvin opened the scoring in the 4th minute with an absolute rocket into the top right corner from the edge of the area, pouncing on the loose ball after Jovic was tackled.

Gustafson was fouled when Quintero swung in a corner in the 12th minute, so Jovic had a chance to score from the spot. He buried it.

Gustafson then scored his third goal in as many games (that he’s played in), as KBH raced into the box and squared for him in the 25th minute, and the midfielder did the rest. He’s stepped it up recently as Kardum has been pushing for his spot in the first team.

KBH then scored a magnificent lob from the left edge of the penalty box in the 28th minute to make it four.

In the 31st minute Gustafson grabbed his second with a glorious drive into the roof of the net from the edge of the area!

KBH’s shot in the 34th was saved by the diving keeper, but the loose ball sat inches off the line and Jovic was there to apply the finish. 20 goals this season from the Serbian in his 18th appearance.

Romagnoli slammed home a loose ball from a Quintero free kick in the 50th minute.

Kardum and Petkovic replaced Quintero and Thauvin in the 64th.

A brilliant run from Jovic in the 66th minute took him past 3 defenders, and with just the keeper to beat, he nestled the ball in the bottom corner to seal his hat trick.

Delahaye replaced Jovic in the 77th, and KBH moved up top.

In the 90th minute Petkovic raced down the right all the way to the backline then cut the ball back for Gustafson. Gustafson showed incredible vision to then lob the ball across to the far post, where Delahaye was waiting to tap it home.

On a day where second placed Elfsborg must have been feeling pretty good about themselves after a 6-0 away victory, we completely upstaged them with a 9-0 win on the road. I can imagine them feeling pretty pumped, thinking that they were going to put up a real challenge, then seeing our result and their faces falling simultaneously :P Simon Gustafson was absolutely out of this world today. Two goals and 3 assists from central midfield in a system where, in theory, he isn’t the primary playmaker, and certainly not goalscorer, is truly unreal. He has vindicated my decision to continue to pick him ahead of superstar-in-the-making Kardum. Everyone else was awesome too, with KBH and Thauvin both bagging worldies, and Jovic a hat trick. I wonder if all 11 will be in team of the week?

POM: Simon Gustafson (9.7, 2G, 3A)
 
Ibrahimovic taking Malmö to the top?​

When unknown manager Patrick Ibrahimovic was appointed head coach of Malmö FF at the beginning of the 2014 Allsvenskan season, many felt it was a step back for the club that had just reclaimed the league crown the previous year. Those doubters would have been feeling vindicated as an unconvincing start to the year saw them eliminated in the Swedish Cup semi final by then second tier outfit Hammarby Fotboll, and they lay in tenth place in the league after 8 matches having failed to capitalise on the stuttering starts of their main title rivals. It appeared likely that the board at Malmö would cut their losses and look to hire a more experienced manager who could take them back to where they had been the previous season.

But Ibrahimovic hasn’t taken them back to the form of 2013 - he has taken them far beyond that. A switch of tactic and a couple of personnel saw them surge up the table from that point, and despite the occasional poor result, they have never looked back. The mid season arrivals of Simon Gustafson and Gianluca Neri have proven to be brilliant pieces of business, especially considering where they stand today. Gustafson has superseded the chief playmaker of the 2014 Malmö side, Simon Thern, and is a key cog in a side which appears to be storming towards a third successive title under Ibrahimovic. Neri meanwhile, has turned into one of Europe’s brightest young talents, performing to a high standard whenever he is called upon, and highly sought after by a number of Europe’s top clubs.

And that is one of the most remarkable things about this Malmö side. At any given point in time over the last 12 months, even longer, you would not have to look far to see up to 15 or 20 Malmö players being linked to elite European clubs. Hundreds of transfer approaches have been rebuffed, and it is a testament to the belief that Ibrahimovic has instilled in his players that not one has raised a single complaint about the rejection. They know this team is going places. His transfer business has seen him spend just a couple of million pounds more than he has brought in, yet the squad is vastly superior to the outfit he inherited, and arguably stronger than any Swedish squad has been in history. Just last season, a record breaking points tally from Djurgården, which would have seen them win the Allsvenskan in any past season, was not enough, as the ruthless machine that is Ibrahimovic’s Malmö FF set the bar even higher. And based on this season, their new record won’t stand for long.

The league form isn’t what has sent shockwaves around Europe, however. It is the performances of the side in the two Champions League campaigns Ibrahimovic has presided over that have really turned heads. In 2014, Malmö stunned the world with a 4-0 thrashing of then-defending champions Real Madrid, which saw the Swedish outfit claim top spot in their group and progress to the knockout stages. A 1-0 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Bayern Munich was far from embarrassing, particularly given how easily the result could have swung the other way. The next season saw them take on Paris Saint-Germain, the big spenders of Europe. A 3-0 defeat in Paris saw many write off their previous season as a fluke, but for those who saw the match, as noted by well acclaimed critic and manager Rhys Burnett (http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...er-stories/305491-who-rhys-burnett-story.html), there were signs there that the Swedish champions were much closer to taking something from that fixture than the scoreline suggested.

And so it proved, as they defeated the Parisians 1-0 in the return fixture, a scoreline that didn’t reflect their dominance. Having been held to a draw at home by Russian side Zenit, Malmö then proceeded to spank the Russians 6-1 in their own backyard and progress to the knockouts once again. In their first competitive fixture in over 2 months, Ibrahimovic’s side were then taught a lesson by Liverpool in their own backyard - their first home defeat in Europe under the incumbent manager - before being unfortunate not to grab a consolation win, or perhaps even more, on the road against the English giants.

But could this season be third time lucky for the rising power? The youngest side in the Allsvenskan has had another year to develop, and those paying attention must be feeling very, very afraid. A 19-0 aggregate mauling of their second round opponents Sant Juliá has been followed by an 8-0 away win in the first leg against Omonoia. This is with Ibrahimovic sending out a side of players who are by no means first choice at the club, many of them backups and prospects. It is not known at this stage whether they will be drawn as a third or fourth seed in the group stage, working under the safe assumption that they will progress that far, but no team in pot one or two would relish drawing them, a stark contrast to years gone by, where Swedish sides were easy-beats. Ibrahimovic has assembled a squad capable of going deep in Europe’s premier competition.

Serbian international Luka Jovic leads the line, whilst South Korean superstar Kim Byung-Hyun and Belgian prospect Dorian Delahaye have both proven they are more than capable up top or on the wings. Former winner of the “Most Promising Player Award” for the French Ligue 1, Florian Thauvin, has shown his top class ability on the flanks, and the dazzling Brazilian Santos is widely considered the next in the line of world class Seleção attackers. The heir apparent to James Rodríguez, Juan Fernando Quintero, is another whose ability surpasses anything seen in the Swedish leagues for a long time. There is still a strong Swedish core at the club, most notably in the defence, where academy graduate and team captain Filip Helander lines up alongside international team mates Alexander Milosevic and Pierre Bengtsson. Thern, Guillermo Molins and Emil Forsberg are all important squad players, and as mentioned, Gustafson is a key player for the side. Veteran full back Ricardinho continues to prove that age is but a number, whilst Ibrahimovic signings Martin Linnes and Lorenzo Crisetig turn in quality performances with remarkable regularity. South Korean number 1 Kim Seung-Gyu is the best keeper plying his trade in the nation by a country mile, and is backed up by another Malmö product in Sixten Mohlin.

In regards to the Malmö academy, 17 year old playmaker Joakim Kardum has established himself as a valuable member of the first team squad and is capped at Under 21 level by Sweden. Not since Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a Malmö prospect been so highly rated, and the starlet clearly has a big future. Whispers for a full international debut grow louder with every top class performance the precocious teenager turns in for the first team. Unlike Zlatan however, this boy may not have to leave the country in order to fulfil his potential. If the side keeps improving the way it has so far under Patrick Ibrahimovic, then it may not be too long before Malmö FF ascends to the top of world football, and brings the entire nation of Sweden with it.
 
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