[ad_1]
The season has been the success that most people expected Ola Toivonen to represent. The 34-year-old has scored seven goals in the Allsvenskan, plus one in the Europa League qualifying round and the MFF’s goal in the cup final against IFK Gothenburg. The Swedish Championship gold can be won on Sunday, but this week Toivonen was voted the best player of October and took the first prize of the year.
– Yes, it must be, right? It feels good. It floated quite well this month and the only downside is probably Djurgården away then. Otherwise, I think we have been strong as a team and as individuals. In fact, I think we’ve had a very stable football, says Ola Toivonen and looks back on his own season so far.
– If it is okay. I mixed some good matches with some bad ones. It was a tough game and I think I have kept a fairly even level. It was good and bad when the foot injury came. You had to rest your body a bit, but at the same time you wanted to be there and help the boys even more.
Is there something that surprised you?
– It’s hard to say this. I will probably feel a bit about it and after the season think about what has been positive and a bit negative and I will be back. Right now I don’t find surprises or anything else. I am fully focused on training well every day and taking home the gold here now. Sad answer, I know.
Ola Toivonen never won a league title in his career. MFF were only an average team when the forward attacked the club in his first turn between 2007-2008. When he returned home in June after eleven years abroad, the goal was clear.
– It wasn’t long since we stood up and talked about winning the gold and five months later we have a chance to take it home. That’s why they came home, to really win a gold for the club that gave me a lot back.
A win against Sirius on Sunday is enough for MFF to clinch the club’s 21st Swedish Championship title. But already on Saturday, Toivonen can celebrate something completely different. So the home team Degerfors can reach the Allsvenskan for the first time in 23 years. On the day 28 years ago, November 7, 1992, Degerfors advanced to the Allsvenskan, where he would remain for five seasons.
– It would have been great. A true Degerfors weekend for Swedish football if I pinch the Swedish Championship gold and Degerfors goes up to the Allsvenskan. It probably hasn’t happened too often, says Toivonen, who still follows the team.
– Much, down to the smallest detail. I try to look at every minute and am impressed. With the game they played this year, I don’t think they can get out of the Allsvenskan, I don’t think so. So it is very difficult for me to say, but what I have seen is very impressive. Above all, I think they played a very good defensive game, they play with great courage and dare to stand firm with the team. They have received the ball in beautiful places on the field from which they have created attacks.
Toivonen says it was never relevant to pick Degerfors before Malmö FF when he returned home from Melbourne Victory. But if Degerfors comes up, he will be able to meet his mother club for the first time as a visiting player at Stora Valla.
– I hope they go up, I try to overcome that we will be four days in Degerfors the next away game. But I don’t think boys are that hungry, says Toivonen jokingly.
The season is not over and the Swedish Championship gold has yet to be secured. But now the activity of future transfer windows is beginning to be discussed, where it is said that midfielder Anel Ahmedhodzic attracts the attention of Chelsea and Milan, among others. Ola Toivonen admits that he tries to influence sporting director Daniel Andersson and coach Jon Dahl Tomasson and make their voice heard in any player’s sales. Despite a ten point lead on the table, Toivonen believes that more can be won with the current team’s potential for 2021.
– It is big of course, very big. So it’s like in Sweden, we are a sales club in the end. When a great club comes along and knocks on the door, it is difficult to retain the best players. It’s a lot of money, especially after the financial blow that all Swedish clubs have received this season, so you understand that you may be looking to sell players. It is clear that I, who am a little older, want to keep as many players as possible for the next season. But it’s on the board table, Daniels and Jon. You don’t want to step in and bother too much. But I can’t keep quiet, it’s a bit difficult, says Ola Toivonen and continues:
– It is probably Anel who is more in the danger zone to knit. But you never know. Now we should not focus too much on that, but the most important thing is Sunday. We’ll see, that boy probably has a bright future.
