Like Malmo, Ludogorets are their domestic league’s reigning champions, and therefore also began their European advanture this summer in the UEFA Champions League before dropping into the secondary competition. Rydstrom is expecting the Bulgarian outfit to provide a real test.
“It will be a level up now during the league phase. Ludogorets may be a team that many people don’t know much about, but they have won the Bulgarian league fourteen years in a row. It is clear that it is tough opposition,” he told the pre-match press conference.
“It is important that we have a smartness in the match. Ludogorets’ strengths lie primarily in the attack. They have offensive threats both on the wings and in the attacking line, so we have to deal with that.”
“Then we have to make sure that we are consistent in what we need to do. I think we have been good at times, but sometimes we have let external things affect us too much. It can be about referees or decisions or other situations that bounce against us,” he added.
Consistency has neglected MFF in recent weeks. Since reaching the League Phase, their only victory in four matches has come in the Svenska Cupen against lower league Olympic. A four-match winless run in the Allsvenskan has put them at risk of missing Europe altogether next year.
The most recent disappointment came at home on Saturday, in a 1-0 loss to Djurgarden. But the chance to put that match behind them is a blessing in Rydstrom’s eyes.
“Basically it is something very positive. Every match is an opportunity to do something better than it was last time and get the fans’ love and give them joy again. It may sound cliché, but we choose joy.”
The lack of form is not something that is getting him down, “It is still a privilege to be in this situation, for me to be the coach of Malmo FF, whether it is a match in the Svenska Cupen or in the Allsvenskan or the Europa League.
“And it is the same for the players, it is a privilege to play these matches even though there is stress and pressure. It is key to realise that and to value it.”
Last season, Malmo finished 31st of the 36 teams in the UEL League Phase, winning only one of their eight matches. That was one more than Ludogorets managed, but Ryndstrom is aiming for an improved showing this time.
“I hope we can be a little more stable in our efforts at home compared to last season’s Europa League.
“We have tweaked our game quite a bit and been a little more direct. We want to go out and push and take it for ourselves, but we have to find a balance so that we don’t open ourselves up and get hurt.”
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