Malmö FF has played in the Champions League three times since 2014, but it will not be a fourth time.
The Scanians lost twice with 0-2 against Sparta Prague and MFF will now instead focus on playing in the Europa League for the fourth time since 2018. A spot that gives the club at least 98 million kronor in revenue. A spot in the Champions League would have given at least 212 million kronor.
It's tough in such matches. It doesn't take much. We have to score on our chances, says Isaac Kiese Thelin to Viaplay.
Two missed penalties
When Malmö last reached the Champions League – 2021 – it was the Serbian newcomer Veljko Birmancevic who was the deciding factor for the Scanians in the final qualifying round.
Now the Serb could have decided for his Sparta Prague already after a quarter of an hour. Then the home team was awarded a penalty after the French referee Clément Turpin deemed that the 19-year-old MFF defender Nils Zetterström had pulled down Asger Sørensen on a corner.
Forward came Birmancevic, but the 26-year-old shot the ball high over Johan Dahlin's goal.
Ten minutes later, Malmö got the chance to create real nervousness in the return match. Then the away team was awarded a penalty after Anders Christiansen was knocked down after a push in the back. The team captain took care of the penalty kick himself, but his Danish compatriot Peter Vindahl in the Prague goal made a fine save.
We're still in the match because they miss, then we're unlucky. They make a great save on our penalty, says Kiese Thelin.
Took the lead on a penalty
On the whole, it was mostly Prague that created something offensive during the first half. A bit into the second act, Malmö could establish some pressure, but it was fruitless in the decisive situations.
Instead, Prague could kill the tension in the 80th minute. MFF's Gabriel Busanello knocked down Ángelo Preciado in the penalty area and this time the approximately 18,000 spectators in the stands saw a penalty go into the goal through Lukás Haraslín.
Just three minutes later, Albion Rrahmani extended to 2-0 and Sparta Prague won the double match with 4-0 overall.
The draw for the Europa League takes place on Friday.
The old four-team groups with double matches against only three teams are being abolished in UEFA's three club competitions Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League from this season.
Instead, a form of group stage with 36 teams is being created, where a club meets eight different opponents, four matches are played at home and four away. In the Conference League, the teams only play six matches each in the group stage.
After the group stage, the top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16. Teams 9-24 meet in a playoff over a double match to reach the round of 16. For teams that finish 25-36, it's game over.
The knockout matches up to and including the semifinal are decided just like now with a double match (home, away) – the final is decided over a single match.
2024-2025: Clear for league play in the Europa League.
2022-2023: Group play in the Europa League. Last in the group.
2021-2022: Group play in the Champions League. Last in the group.
2019-2020: Round of 16 in the Europa League, eliminated by Wolfsburg (1-5 overall). First in the group.
2018-2019: Round of 16 in the Europa League, eliminated by Chelsea (1-5 overall). Second in the group.
2015-2016: Group play in the Champions League. Last in the group.
2014-2015: Group play in the Champions League. Last in the group.
2011-2012: Group play in the Europa League. Last in the group.
