Oliver Berg suffered a cramp against Västerås last weekend and started on the bench in the Europa League game against Olympiakos. So did Anders Christiansen, who Henrik Rydström thought was only 30 minutes away.
Zakaria Loukili then had to start in the attacking midfield position against Olympiakos. A talent who had played just over 45 minutes in 2024.
– Zakaria Loukili is a player who reaches very high heights, so we wanted to see him against this opposition. Then also that it will grow a lot from this game. That was the reason, said head coach Henrik Rydström.
MFF result Loukili played an hour before being replaced by Christiansen.
– It was great fun. I didn’t expect anything, that my first start would be in Europe. To be able to do that in Malmö FF, a club I’ve been at since I was five – that means a lot, says Zakaria Loukili.
Can you describe the feeling when you stepped out onto the pitch?
– I felt like a five-year-old child. Coming out to a packed field was something I had dreamed of.
Of the effort, he says:
– Absolutely right. Maybe I would have been more involved in the offensive game, in the final third. But generally ok.
What was it like when you found out the starting eleven?
– It came as a bit of a shock. But it was really fun.
What do you think of Malmö’s midfielders in general?
– I think I’m good at playing. He can run a lot, run a lot in depth. Then we have Sergio (Peña) and Lasse (Berg Johnsen) who are our generals in midfield, who lead and set up, so you add them.
Loukili played a training match for Malmö’s P19 team until August. The midfielder has been part of the A team all season, although he is on an apprentice contract until 2026.
– Not something I think. My representatives and Malmö will take care of that. It’s just fun to be here.
Olympiakos won the match against MFF 1-0.
2024-10-25 05:08:00
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