Last weekend, Malmö lost away to Häcken 4-2 and thus the road to gold was open for Elfsborg, who faced Degerfors. But 2-2 in that match has instead paved the way for an absolutely decisive fight today between the Allsvenskan’s two top teams.
– It’s a favor. We are happy that we are in this situation, says Malmö FF’s coach Henrik Rydström.
The table is topped by Elfsborg on 64 points and +34 in goal difference. Malmö has 61 points and +34. This means that a draw is enough for Elfsborg to win gold. However, should Malmö win today’s match in front of the home crowd, the SC gold will end up in Skåne thanks to a better goal difference.
“React differently”
That the whole season is boiled down to a single game is a situation that several of the players love. For others, nervousness can get the better of them.
– Players react very differently. When I say that I am looking forward to the match, it is with the reservation that you will always have performance anxiety and a concern that you will not deliver what you are supposed to. That’s how we are made as people, says Henrik Rydström.
Before the match, they did not talk about performance anxiety in particular – but Rydström believes that they worked on the mental side throughout the season.
– When I played, I thought it could be difficult and stressful. But I also learned to enjoy the feeling that some people think is negative. I benefit from that as a coach. I have a little more understanding for the players when they feel that way, he says.
See Rydström about the gold rush in the player above.