The week the table told the truth
Malmö FF lost 2–0 to Västerås SK at Hitachi Energy Arena, and that result did more than cost three points. It dropped MFF further down the Allsvenskan table, while Västerås climbed to fourth and moved within reach of a European place (2) (9). Two defeats to the same newly promoted side this season, zero points from those two meetings (16). That is not a coincidence. It is a pattern.
The worry does not stop at the score. Otto Rosengren and Sead Haksabanovic both had to leave the pitch in Västerås. Gaute Helstrup said Rosengren picked up a knock and the club does not yet know the outcome (1).
A squad that cannot stay on the pitch
The injury list is becoming the defining story of MFF's season. Two players forced off in the same away game is a squad problem, not bad luck. Emmanuel Ekong was close to a move to Hajduk Split before an injury killed the deal, and he is only now nearing a return to training (33). The club has dealt with three cruciate ligament injuries this year (32).
Get the next Malmö FF brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
You can argue about refereeing all you like. Daniel Gudjohnsen said the penalty call was "a bit crazy, honestly, I think it's obvious" (4). Jens Stryger felt he was clearly caught on the foot (11). But the game was decided by two Axel Taonsa goals, both assisted by Jens Magnusson (18). Taonsa had already said his habit is to score twice, and that he would try for three next time (3). He did not need three.
Then there is the other Malmö FF
The women's team delivered the opposite lesson. Malmö FF won 3–0 against Djurgårdens IF in the Damallsvenskan on Sunday, September 13, with goals from Vesna Milivojevic, Izzy D'Aquila and Älvali Lindström (6) (7) (24). Jonas Valfridsson said his side finally put together a full 90 minutes (6). Izzy D'Aquila called it "a relief" (28).
Djurgården were shut out for a third straight match (14). Malmö FF's women sit third and are pulling clear in the race for the last European spot (15). Same club, same badge, two very different standards right now.
What to watch
Sixth place, 33 points from 22 games, a goal difference of plus four. The gap to the European places is real and it is growing. The next Allsvenskan fixture is the thing that matters, because MFF need to stop losing to the teams around them.
The team sheet is the first place to look. If Rosengren and Haksabanovic are fit, MFF have a squad good enough to climb. If they are not, this autumn gets long. Helstrup said he is glad the window is shut and that Haksabanovic stayed, and that it may be good for the player too (17). A settled squad helps. A fit one helps more.
