The biggest SM favorite of all time? Maybe maybe not. Regardless, coach Henrik Rydström is standing with a squad that no football Allsvenskan colleague is close to.
That in itself is a challenge. He will keep bench players – who enter most starting elevens – motivated and in good spirits. There is always the risk that the abundance of quality can lead to dissatisfaction and players wanting to leave.
But if Rydström gets the majority to go in one and the same direction, it is difficult to see any club other than Malmö FF lifting Lennart Johansson’s trophy this autumn as well.
A message to everyone
The premiere at “Parken” in Norrköping was more than a clear indication in that direction.
It was a clear message to everything and everyone: “This is how good we are”.
It took a quarter of an hour, then Isaac Kiese Thelin, last year’s top scorer with 16 goals, showed that he intends to deliver again this year. Kiese Thelin got both power and arc on Sebastian Nanasi’s corner.
Norrköping, without both attacking veteran Christoffer Nyman and midfield engine Arnór Traustason from the start, (Daniel Eid) hit the post and had their chances.
But mistakes decide matches.
Norrköping got lost in their high pressure, far too few players managed to get back when Malmö countered lightning fast. Kiese Thelin’s pass opened Erik Botheim’s 2–0.
Decided after 45 minutes
The new acquisition from Salernitana in Serie A looked to be in an offside position when he poked in his first Allsvenskan goal from close range. The home crowd at Curva Nordahl reacted strongly when replays were shown on the big screen. Like coach Andreas Alm.
The assistant referee’s human eye obviously failed him and, as you know, no VAR assistance is available in Swedish football.
When Kevin Höög Jansson was grossly careless, Nanasi won the ball, advanced and shot 3-0 through Max Watson’s legs shortly before half-time, of course it was game over for Norrköping.
– Extremely tough, we get it right in the face. It’s a fact, regardless of whether it’s offside on the second goal, that we’re 0-3 down, Alm told Discovery + at halftime.
– A good half, I think we are in control, score three nice goals and have bids for more. And we are not done yet, said Kiese Thelin to the same TV channel.
He was right there. Søren Rieks increased to 4–0. Substitute Taha Ali twisted the ball from Anton Eriksson and gave Stefano Vecchia, also substituted, an open goal to make it 5-0.
Isak Andri Sigurgeirsson reduced with two minutes remaining.
See more about the match at The soccer channel