Five points: Djurgården-Cluj | Aftonbladet

Published: September 24, 2020 kl. 20.56
Updated: September 24, 2020 kl. 22.59

Per Bohman’s Five Points from Djurgården-Cluj at Tele2 Arena

✓ 1. It was time to convince, Djurgården

What was missing in Djurgården this year?

That real effort to keep quiet.

We have seen great victories against Kalmar and Örebro. Win in the derby against AIK and, in the team’s best match of the season so far, three strong points at home against Häcken. Otherwise a series of good performances, but overall a rejected season, albeit relatively stable.

But I don’t remember in 2020 seeing Djurgården put in a solid effort for 90 minutes against a really good opponent. He had to come really fast against big favorite Cluj if a breakthrough felt reasonably realistic.

✓ 2. It was a fucking life!

After a few minutes, I thought, “What is this all about?”

It appeared that Romanians had illegally flown on a mini heel to Stockholm. At every dubious decision or successful action for the visiting team, a mighty roar rose to the sky over Tele2 Arena. When I got up to get an overview, I realized that it was Cluj’s bank and administration staff that were gaping. They were often joined by their inflated players on the field and angry coach Dan Petrescu on the bench.

It was just a fucking life.

Did it matter then?

In fact, I think so. The poor Polish referee was put under as much pressure as Djurgården. The European game is brutal, the right of the strong and all that, and Cluj took advantage of the respect they demanded. The team flew into Djurgården with furious energy for the first ten minutes.

✓ 3. They overcame the hysterical mood

Djurgården had a hard time getting used to Cluj’s powerful game. The Romanians swept away the home team and they looked particularly dangerous. Still, Djurgården was never really affected. Kim Bergstrand recalled the importance of great ball possession and how a calm on the ball would drain Cluj’s energy pressure. Team father and professional agitator Magnus Eriksson gifted the visiting team a match for the metagame on the field and the Karlström / Ulvestad company ensured that Djurgården had rhythm in the game. It was impressive in terms of hysterical, semi-psychotic! – the mood that prevailed from the kick-off to the final signal.

After 10 minutes it was completely uniform. After 15 minutes, Djurgården was the best team. After 20 minutes it sometimes dominates.

✓ 4. The order: “Lie down!”

He did not calm down after the break. Cluj deliberately tried to get Edward Chilufya expelled and screamed at the sky whenever the exterior ended near a melee. This, in turn, haunted zoos, making the atmosphere in the field even more hectic.

A few minutes into the second half, Chilufya beat two visiting players despite a rather harsh treatment. However, Zambiern did not reinforce the situation and was left without a free kick. He had Kim Bergstrand take five quick steps into the technical zone and roar for it to echo throughout the arena:

– LAY DOWN!

Because that’s exactly what Cluj did. Throughout the match, they made sure to finish in tough situations near Djurgården’s penalty area. Sometimes they deserved to receive free throws, but just as often they fell to the ground without being provoked or without hands. Of course, it provided many dangerous free-throw modes for a team that specializes in fixed situations. After 55 minutes, he was cut off for Djurgården. A great quality free kick kicked the skull of the giant Paulo Vincius and 1-0 to Cluj.

✓ 5. Best effort of the year, but it wasn’t enough

Between the blows and whining of the referee, a bit of football was also played. Cluj was clearly a skilled team, physically strong and defensively well organized. Coupled with his uncompromising attitude, of course, very unpleasant to face.

Still, Djurgården kept the game well even in the second half. They took advantage of the speed on the artificial turf, forced an increasingly tired Cluj down in his own half of the field and possessed a lot of ball. What was missing? A little advice when they approached the Romanian penalty area. Neither Kalle Holmberg nor Emir Kujovic are reliable starters in the Thomas Lagerlöf and Kim Bergstrand system of play and are occasionally seen outside the sidelines waiting to jump.

In the fourth quarter, Djurgården put heavy pressure on Cluj, although he did not generate enough clear chances. New substitute Kujovic desperately tried to reach the posts that were drawn in, but looked almost like a little boy against the extremely strong main player of the visiting team. Jesper Karlström got closer when his strong shot was nearly guided into the goal by a Cluj defender.

It ended in a 0-1 loss but the Stockholmers need not be ashamed. Djurgården was no better than Cluj, but the fact is that this was, given the class of the opposition, the best effort of the season.

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Of: By Bohman

Published: September 24, 2020 kl. 20.56

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