Per Bohman: My heart aches that he becomes a scapegoat

Of: By Bohman

Published: September 16, 2020 kl. 21.05
Updated: September 16, 2020 kl. 21.34

Photo: MAXIM THORE / BILDBYRÅN

Per Bohman’s five points from Hammarby-Lech Poznan at Tele2 Arena.

✓ 1. Lower fire resistant

Not Muamer Tankovic, Darijan Bojanic or Alexander Kacaniklic in the starting eleven.

A big miscalculation for Stefan Billborn, of course.

How could Hammarby come in and possess the ball and the initiative, dare to play his game, against Lech Poznan without their king of points, the best dealer in the game and perhaps the best deep-leading runner?

✓ 2. The reserves impressed, but should have scored

But the fall of man, at first, did not really have any major impact. It was inspiring to see sometimes questionable reserves like Paulinho and Aron Johannsson (who started last month) grow up in the absence of the team’s star offense. A disrespectful Hammarby should have taken the lead after twenty minutes.

It was obvious that Billbons Bajen had instructions to attack on the wings rather than in the middle. Because while Hammarby may not have exactly the same dominance and full control of the ball that we got used to at Tele2 Arena, they varied the game in a way that was unpleasant for Lech Poznan. The visiting team seemed handcuffed every time Hammarby hit straighter balls behind the Poznan midfielders.

Three precise liras flew on the right surfaces; twice Bajen got free positions. Aron Johansson (Bundesliga class on takedown) should have developed Paulinho’s delicious lift. Johansson tried to get revenge by giving Gustav Ludwigson a completely open position. Ludwigson is better at running, stressing, pushing and delivering disinterested performances, but he once again proved that he is the kind of loyal defensive team striker where the cold in front of goal is subordinate to the effort of work.

✓ Ishak looked human

Lech Poznan?

A somewhat messy and fragmented team that was clearly inferior to Bajen at times in the first half. Hammarby deserved a goal and created four or five hot chances against the two or three positions of the Poles.

Mikael Ishak, who raved about an unstoppable shooters king in the pre-talk, turned out to be distinctly human just before the break. Ramírez Fernández snuck into a perfect insertion that Södertäljesonen half-tried to win over a spirited David Ousted.

✓ 4. Poor boy (s)!

I was fascinated by Kalle Björklund’s march to the starting eleven in Hammarby. For a long time I thought he was mainly on the team as a complement and, yes, the son of assistant coach Jocke Björklund.

But it was obviously an ugly and downright stupid thought. Because young Björklund has proven himself to be a worthy member of the company and at times overshadowed more seasoned comrades like Mads Fenger, David Fällman and Richard Magyar. He has given him a selection for the U21 team.

Which is why, of course, it hurts my heart that Kalle Björklund was made a scapegoat in the biggest game of the season. Lech Poznan increased the pace and ambition of the second half. When the Poles pushed hard, Björklund lost concentration and was careless with the ball as the only goalkeeper. Pedro Tiba could then seize the opportunity to exquisitely score 1-0 against Poznan.

He really was a true opportunist, the Portuguese. Soon after, he sent Jeppe Andersen. The warning the Dane received after a stupid bet in the first half was just stupid, but it’s difficult to judge the team captain by his second yellow card. Andersen ripped the ball off, hit Tiba in the face and the visiting player fell headlong to the ground.

The Dane is weak in form and when Andersen is weak in form, he is a sloppy and untamed player. He gave German referee Sascha Stegemann a chance to show off, but it wasn’t too difficult a decision.

Overall, there were two crucial mistakes that were both unfortunate and unfortunate, but also typical of a team lacking routine at the European Games.

✓ 5. You have failed in 2020, get down

It was right to demand a lot from Hammarby before this season. The team is so good, and expensive, that fans could definitely look forward to racing for gold until winter.

But it was clear that Bajen was not used to such expectations. A stressed and rushed (immature?) Hammarby squandered the Allsvenskan and a chance for a gold fight before the series barely had time to begin.

Hence, the Europa League was the only chance at a successful season for Stefan Billborn, Jesper Jansson and the team’s many star players. Reaching the group stage, or even the playoffs, had signaled that Hammarby had made significant strides forward despite poor performance in the Allsvenskan. Lech Poznan (eventually 0-3) was of course a strong team, but far from an inhumane opposition, and Bajen had enough chances to win. Get down in the form of fall 2019 had probably beaten the Poles.

Overall, Hammarby has clearly failed in 2020. The only thing that can make this a semi acceptable year is if the team makes it to the European venues. However, it seems dark.

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Published: September 16, 2020 kl. 21.05

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