Martin Olsson sat on the podium when Malmö FF 2-0-defeated Ludogorets in the Champions League’s first playoff meeting. The 33-year-old is not allowed to play against the Bulgarian team, as he has already participated in BK Häcken’s Conference League qualifiers during the summer.
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What impressions did you get during the match?
– Good pressure on the stands, to be 5,000 fans. I supported the team a lot, I feel. Everything, it was a cruel feeling. I look forward to playing in the European evenings as well, says Martin Olsson.
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– It was a nice win too. The pressure was better than I thought it would be. What if it’s sold out here – then there may be some shivers as well.
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Ten days after the transfer from Häcken, the national team defender will aim for Saturday’s Allsvenskan meeting with Degerfors, where coach Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed that Olsson will be involved from the start.
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At Hisingen, it was only six months, and Olsson is expected to replace the knee-injured left-back Jonas Knudsen in Malmö FF’s starting eleven. After his first week of training, Olsson talks about the step from Häcken to MFF.
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– It’s different. It will take some time, but it should not be a big problem. Just go in and drive. It’s probably only small details you have to get in, which the team drives with. It will be good, says Olsson.
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– I would probably say that there are more runs here. More intense – and the press game, he wants a high pressure very often. In Häcken we would push, but not in the same way. We are putting more pressure on this team with a high intensity, I would say.
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If Jon Dahl Tomasson uses a four-back line, Martin Olsson’s place should be given. In the last Champions League qualifiers, however, MFF has played a 3-5-2 system, and with more offensive wingers than Olsson – who has a flexible attitude to the various possibilities.
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– I can play wingback, center back and as one of the three back there. Also left center. I’ve never been a player whining about where I play, the most important thing is that I’m on the pitch. But they know they can play me as a midfielder too, there would have been no problems.
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Last season, Olsson played almost all 25 matches with Helsingborgs IF centrally in the defense, and was one of the Allsvenskan’s best in his position.
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– I actually loved playing center back last season. You get a lot of ball and can read the game in a different way, and may not take as many runs. That is the positive, says Martin Olsson with a smile.
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He grew up in Helsingborg, was raised in Högaborgs BK and chose HIF when he returned home after almost 14 years in the British Isles. Olsson is back in his hometown after moving to Hisingen, and explains how the choice of Malmö FF was received there:
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– I still live in Helsingborg, so those who have come to me have been calm and understood my decision. Of course, I understand that some may be annoyed – I was captain there too and can understand the frustration – but if you look at the sports, it is a big difference. But I have actually only received positive feedback from people in Helsingborg, who say that they understand my decision as well. That’s a good thing.
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– But it’s not like I’m moving around too much !, adds Martin Olsson.
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Vänsterbacken managed to score one goal and two assists in ten matches in Häcken. In Malmö FF he carries number 13.
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Next season is streamed all matches from the Uefa Champions League exclusively at Telia and C More.
In addition Malmö FF’s decisive playoff against Ludogorets will be streamed on Tuesday 21.00 on Telia TV and C More.
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