A superior match worthy of the epithet
BK Häcken overtook Elfsborg as second in the table after the win against AIK earlier in the day. But it was immediately noticed that the two perhaps best Allsvenskan teams in 2020 measured their strengths against each other at Eleda Stadium. The start was at a dizzying pace and the teams exchanged scoring chances during the first ten minutes. What was at stake was quite obvious and among the players there is a physical level that sometimes turns into a bad mood. The teams ended the match as full members, but the players could well have been featured tonight. In terms of the game, the game delivered a lot of quality. The point distance is still seven points between the teams and in their own way, both MFF and Elfsborg will be pleased with the results and performance.

The new initial objective of the MFF did not have the same effect
Goal after 23 seconds against Krakow in the last Europa League: Today the lead goal only took an extra second. Anders Christiansen scored this time, but MFF did not manage to control Elfsborg as well, which is clearly a better team than Thursday’s opponents. The lead kept MFF in the middle before Rasmus Alm made a well-deserved draw for Elfsborg. The guests had a very good period after the break and a goal lead was put in the air. Perhaps they were surprised by Elfsborg’s attacking mentality in the first 65-70 minutes. During the last quarter, the guests withdrew and MFF made an offer for a winning goal. In the end, the crossovers in tonight’s match and further advancement in the Europa League are something MFF should be more than happy with as a weekly recap.

Kiese Thelin vs. Karlsson duel
Tonight, the shared leader of the shooting league (Stefano Vecchia is third) did not come into focus. Isaac Kiese Thelin and Jesper Karlsson, both with nine goals apiece, had a couple of occasions each to finish in double digits in the unsuccessful harvest of goals. Instead, the MFF forward found himself embroiled in a controversial situation in the 25th minute with defender Joseph Okumu, who delivered a shoulder backhand to Kiese Thelin. A situation that had some similarities to Kiese Thelin’s kick against Falkenberg three weeks ago. It resulted in a two-game suspension for the forward and Okumu could well have come out on the raise. In other respects, Jesper Karlsson proved what everyone knows: that he is a player of the absolute top flight of the Allsvenskan.

Elfsborg should remain in the top three
After some difficult years, Elfsborg’s plan and patience with the coach have paid off. No team has caused Malmö FF as much trouble at home as the Borås gang tonight. They manage to both successfully play the ball on the ground and threaten longer balls and posts, not to mention leadership in team settings. There is also a toughness and character in the team that prevents them from giving in in the first place. Forward Per Frick said before the game that they would be disappointed if they didn’t sniff out at least one European spot. It’s a fairly modest goal, but understandable every year, far from the top tier. The character, not bowing in MFF’s home field, shows that Elfsborg is on top of Allsvenskan to stay.

Same MFP eleven, and only one change
MFF coach Jon Dahl Tomasson played with exactly the same eleven as in the 2-0 win against Krakow. During the match, he only made one substitution, Arnor Traustason against Sören Rieks with ten minutes to go, and the team failed with a real forcing there. After the game, Dahl Tomasson pointed out the situation of the injury and justified the slight changes to that situation. It’s a bit ironic that Sweden’s broader squad is used, making it quite a decisive week for the team. It is also clear that Dahl Tomasson has his favorites and has added them to a starting eleven that is beginning to be used more and more frequently. The gap with replacements on the bench is perhaps just as big in terms of quality right now.