The knife to the throat, the noose around the neck or the back against the wall. There are many different ways to describe IFK Göteborg’s precarious table position with just under two-thirds of the men’s national football team eliminated.
But on Sunday, what could be three vital points were secured when the team at home at Gamla Ullevi against Djurgården turned 0–1 to 2–1 after two late goals by Arbnor Mucolli and Marcus Berg. The victory means that IFK Göteborg now has a point up to the qualification spot, with one match more played than bottom rival Degerfors.
— There are eleven games left, so it’s just a matter of continuing to build on what we have. We have no choice, it’s just a matter of going “all in”, says Berg.
“It won’t go in”
Encouraged by a massive soundstage from the home supporters, IFK Göteborg started the match at a feverish pace. Already after just over a minute, Sebastian Ohlsson shot into the post. Shortly afterwards, Adam Carlén had a good chance to head in a blue-and-white corner and a little later Emil Salomonsson had a dangerous shot. IFK Göteborg pushed hard and – often – successfully.
At the same time, earlier this year the team had major problems with goal shooting – and it was the same this time. Instead, Noel Milleskog scored his first Allsvenskan goal and thus gave Djurgården the lead after just under 20 minutes. At halftime, team captain Gustav Svensson was down.
— We create enough chances to score, but it doesn’t go in. We can’t do much more than keep grinding, he told Discovery+.
GÖTEBORG 20230813 Djurgården’s Noel Milleskog (centre) scored his first Allsvenskan goal at Gamla Ullevi.Berg hero
For the second half, coach Jens Askou replaced offensive power in the form of Marcus Berg and a while later also the new acquisition Astrit Selmani. Both created a bit of a mess without, for that matter, getting an equalizing goal – at first.
Because in the 77th minute Gamla Ullevi exploded when Arbnor Mucolli thundered in 1–1. Soon after, the former national team striker Berg became the hero of the match when he freed the goalkeeper to make it 2–1 to IFK Göteborg with a few minutes left in regular time.
For Djurgården, the tied result means that the fourth place in the table slips behind top competitors Häcken, Malmö FF and Elfsborg.
— I think we have pretty good control over things. But we give the ball away a few times and end up in the bridge, says Djurgården’s Thomas Lagerlöf to Discovery+.