Mikkjal Thomassen took over as AIK's head coach in July. Before the kick-off at home against reigning champions Malmö FF on Sunday, the Faroese was praised as the month's Allsvenskan coach after five wins in as many league matches in August.
The stormy match in front of 27,595 spectators at Strawberry, formerly Friends, arena in Solna ended goalless, 0–0.
AIK's injured team captain Alexander Milosevic was pleased afterwards.
I think we stood up to the intensity against a good Malmö who maybe didn't have their best game today. We did what we trained for so they couldn't show their edge in the same way, he says to Max.
The 32-year-old, who made his first start in a month and a half, thinks the team has regained a defensive structure that has characterized the team in recent years. Norwegian coach Henning Berg left AIK in mid-June and assistant Henok Goitom had temporary head responsibility for a month.
Earlier, it was a bit like High Chaparral. We didn't stick together as a team. Now it's a bit more that you have coverage in all situations. When you have coverage, you go into duels with a different confidence. I think the whole team feels the same way.
Kiese Thelin with a huge miss
Malmö's Isaac Kiese Thelin had perhaps the hottest goal chance in the match when he, standing free in AIK's penalty area, shot high over from around nine meters after 56 minutes of play.
About ten minutes later, the attacking star, wearing MFF's captain's armband for the day, was substituted out with a suspected injury. It was already clear earlier in the match that Kiese Thelin would miss the next match, away against Gais on Wednesday, after this year's third warning.
Friedrich saved MFF
AIK was the hotter team in the first half and Ioannis Pittas was close to giving the home team the lead after almost 40 minutes of play. The Cypriot international forced Ricardo Friedrich, who guarded the visiting team's goal instead of Johan Dahlin, to a sharp save with a nod.
AIK was closest to a lead goal at the end, among other things through an Anton Salétros free kick from around 30 meters in the 91st minute, but Friedrich saved again.
I usually say that if we win at home and draw away, we'll win the gold. We'll have to continue on that path, says league-leading Malmö's Pontus Jansson to Max.
