Djurgården has had a tough time in the derby since the move to Tele2 arena in 2013 and has often found ways to lose despite a game-wise advantage.
In Sunday’s clash against Hammarby, it was the opposite.
Despite 69 percent in ball possession in the green and whites’ favor, double frame hits at the end and loose balls in front of Djurgården’s goal line, Marti Cifuente’s team never received a dividend. Frustrating, the Spanish coach admitted after the 0-1 loss.
– Overall, it may not have been our best match, but we had enough clear goal chances to get a different result, he says.
Cifuentes really thinks so was just at the end as it broke. Of the same opinion is, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, the opposing team’s Victor Edvardsen who humbly states:
– They have two in the wood and play us out, I think. They do it just fine. I think we should be a little happy that they did not get anything in, at the same time we have situations at the end as well and could have killed the match. I’m damn happy we’re just winning.
The Djurgårds striker, who replaced Gustav Wikheim, saw his replacement decide the match after only three minutes on the pitch, continues:
– In the first half, they are also better than we are. I do not really think we get up to level at all. But we show morale, aggression and a winning mentality that is important to have. It was nice to win 1-0.
Djurgård coach Thomas Lagerlöf went so far as to claim that “Blåränderna” probably never performed worse against Hammarby or AIK since he and Kim Bergstrand took over before the golden year 2019:
– In terms of play, it was perhaps our worst derby, but then we win instead. Such is football sometimes. We have played out the opponents in several derbies and still stood there with zero points. Today it was our turn and it is a strength to win even when you do not get the match picture you want, he says.
Hammarby’s left back Mohanad Jeahze is of the same opinion but points out that Djurgården still won deservedly. After all, they managed to do what football is all about: goals.
– We made a good match but unfortunately we did not put the chances there. Djurgården did it and are worthy winners, he says.
– We create situations. We have rib hits and some on the finish line. But we do not score goals. That’s not good enough. It is clear that it is hard to lose, especially in a derby.
Does it feel like you missed a good chance considering that Malmö and AIK lost in this round?
– If we had won, we would have taken over the first place so it is clear that it is a miscalculation, says Mohanad Jeahze.
After a second straight derby loss against Djurgården, who won 4-1 when the teams met last autumn, the atmosphere in the locker room was subdued.
– It was quiet. Everyone is annoyed that we lost. Especially when we created so many chances. Had we cod without creating chances and been much worse than Djurgården, it would have been a different matter. That’s what’s the trouble.
Hammarby is four in the Allsvenskan, four points behind league leader Häcken – who played 1-1 at home against Elfsborg on Sunday – and three behind AIK and Djurgården who both have one match more played.
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