Pass from Copenhagen to Wernbloom before the tie

Of: Robert Laul

Published: September 17, 2020 kl. 07.57
Updated: September 17, 2020 kl. 08.55

GOTHENBURG. At the press conference leading up to Thursday’s Europa League qualifiers, Swedish FC Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson sent a pass in the direction of Pontus Wernbloom.

“I really hadn’t seen Wernbloom as a forward or forward before…” Johnsson said and smiled.

IFK Gothenburg has a thin team on the attacking side. In the last Allsvenskan match, veterans Alexander Farnerud, 36, and Pontus Wernbloom, 34, started on top.

Both are basically midfielders, but they were still behind Blåvitt’s first goal in the 3-0 win against Falkenbergs FF (assist from Wernbloom, Farnerud’s scorer).

At the digital press conference prior to Thursday’s Europa League qualifying match against FC Copenhagen in Ullevi, Sportbladet asked the Swedish national team goalkeeper who is defending the goal at FCK:

Which of Blåvitt’s forwards will be the hardest to stop?

Karl-Johan Johnsson, 30, looked cautiously amused when he answered.

– The last match was Farnerud on top with Wernbloom and I haven’t really seen Wernbloom as a forward or forward before. He’s been defensive in the middle before … said Johnsson, adding with a crooked smile:

– So I don’t know if I see Wernbloom as the most dangerous of them.

Photo: KRISTER ANDERSSON / BILDBYRÅN

Wernbloom and Farnerud.

The famous Wernbloom too

However, the FCK goalkeeper was quick to point out that Pontus Wernbloom has other qualities.

– It’s a good game point, and then Farnerud is probably the most dangerous guy there, said Karl-Johan Johnsson.

FCK coach Ståle Solbakken was asked if he discovered any differences in IFK Gothenburg’s style of play after the change from coach Poya Asbaghi ​​to Roland Nilsson.

– We have seen that after Roland (Nilsson) enters, they play straighter balls as it is called in Swedish. More direct. IFK Gothenburg more classic of the times when I would sit and watch Torbjörn Nilsson, Glenn Hysén and Glenn Strömberg and the gang. They play more in the longitudinal direction of the field and are more cynical.

Is it an advantage or a disadvantage for FCK that Blåvitt has just changed coaches?

– As they won the game (against Falkenberg), it is certainly an advantage for IFK, but for us the most important thing is how we look, said Ståle Solbakken.

According to Karl-Johan Johnsson, FC Copenhagen are favorites, despite losing this weekend’s league debut to Odense 3-2.

– I hope we are little favorites. It could have been an advantage for us if it had been more than two games, but now it is as it is. We can’t think about that.

– Now it’s a match and we will win it, said Karl-Johan Johnsson.

Published: September 17, 2020 kl. 07.57

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