A Champions League spot and 350 million kronor are at stake when the first of two playoff matches kicked off in Malmö.
The home team had good memories from CL qualifying against Sparta Prague. Ten years ago, MFF won the double match thanks to the away goals rule, and eventually made it all the way to the group stage. However, it didn't help this evening.
The big difference is that we lacked sharpness. But it's not over yet, says Anders Christiansen after the loss.
It was a strong Sparta that came to play in Malmö this Wednesday evening. The guests have started the league season in the Czech Republic with five straight wins and the two-time league champions top the table. They made it to the playoff match thanks to wins against Shamrock Rovers from Ireland and Romanian FCSB.
In the starting lineup was also the former MFF player Veljko Birmancevic, a winger who has scored five points in the team's opening five league matches and was named player of the year in the Czech Republic last season.
Nightmare start a fact
After an intense first half hour, it was he who shot from his right flank. The ball touched Jens Stryger Larsen's foot and left Johan Dahlin in goal. The nightmare start was a fact.
Minutes before the goal, Malmö had taken over more and more of the ball possession and threatened seriously during the last quarter of the half – but no more goals were scored before referee Gil Manzano blew the whistle for halftime.
With an hour played, the match picture had solidified further. MFF had made more than twice as many passes as the guests and led the match to an increasing extent. But Prague's much more direct play proved victorious and they created the most dangerous scoring opportunities.
Not clinical enough
In the 64th minute, MFF brought in additional offensive power in the form of Taha Ali and Anders Christiansen.
But the effect was lacking. It was an evening when the home team was not clinical enough in the final third and the really hot chances were missing. Instead, Prague was allowed to score 2–0 in the 89th minute with a beautifully placed shot from Matej Rynes.
They score two goals basically without having any chances. We do some things well, but it's a good team we're meeting with an intensity and power we're not used to in the Allsvenskan, says Christiansen.
It's been almost twenty years since Sparta Prague last reached the Champions League group stage (2005–2006).
But after 2–0 in Malmö, they have a great chance to succeed again – and for MFF, a miracle is required.
