The reigning champions Malmö FF have lost three Allsvenskan matches in a row. This has happened for the first time since May 2018. After the 1-2 loss at home against Häcken, the team was knocked out by 21,000 in the stands.
– They have the right to live. They get up and sing for 90 minutes and we can not pay back. We feel sorry for them. Three straight losses is too bad and each player must see himself in the mirror and grab it, says Isaac Kiese Thelin.
“Head-wind”
Kiese Thelin played from the start just like attacking colleague Ola Toivonen. The latter got a couple of chances to net, but got to see Peter Abrahamsson make incredible saves.
– It’s headwind right now. Maybe it’s good that the cup final is coming now and that we get a completely different competition, says Toivonen.
In May 2018, the scenario was almost exactly the same. Malmö FF had lost three straight Allsvenskan matches. It was also a final in the cup final and then Magnus Pehrsson was fired.
“Their opinions matter”
During the press conference that followed the Häcken loss, Milos Milojevic was asked if he felt the press.
– If the fans do not want me here, I understand. Their opinions mean something, and they create the atmosphere in the stands. At the same time, it is my responsibility if players do not perform. But I’m just worried about losing matches, not because I’m keeping my job or not. These are questions for the club management, he says and continues:
– What is most positive is that the atmosphere in the group is great. What is most frustrating is that we have a good work atmosphere and everything feels good, but that we do not get results with us. Profit works like penicillin. You are sick and you win, then everything will be fine.
Malmö FF has not won the Swedish Cup since 1988. In Thursday’s final at Tele 2 arena, they will face Hammarby. Whether the match works as a penicillin or for Milojevic to be fired remains to be seen.