Despite the loss, Haglund was relatively satisfied. Perhaps it was also so that he could put the loss in perspective. Only days earlier, first goalkeeper Malkolm Nilsson Säfquist had announced that he is taking a break from football due to mental illness.
— It has been a shocking week. Malcolm is a figurehead. Important player and person in our group and club and that he abruptly took a break was unexpected both for me, his teammates and also for those closest to him. He has walked these dark thoughts alone. That he finally spoke up was strongly done. But it has been a hard week to deal with and process.
Picked up former MFF goalkeeper
To fill the place as first goalkeeper, former MFF goalkeeper Marko Johansson was brought in.
— He is a good guy who blends in well with the group. He has been ambitious in training and cannot score goals today. Of course, it is a special situation for him also to replace a player who is so popular both among supporters and in the club, says the coach and continues:
— But that’s how you work with people. We all go about with our inner thoughts and dialogues and it can get dark sometimes.
Wanted to take the chance
Marko Johansson about returning to the Allsvenskan.
— Of course it’s fantastic to be in Malmö and play football again. I am a Malmö påg, but at the same time I have been here and represented opponents when I played for Trelleborg. Of course they would have liked to be in Malmö, but they already have such good goalkeepers. Now the opportunity appeared in Halmstad and I felt that I wanted to take it.
— I was in Sweden and had just become the father of a daughter. When I received a call from Magnus Haglund, we had a discussion. Everything felt good and then I wanted to come home to Sweden. It’s a tough market and getting the chance to show off again is important.