AIK’s performances are inconsistent, Slovácko’s chances are very good, Melichárek introduces Moravian opponents

Slovácko footballers will have a big debut in the European Cup play-offs on Thursday. They will play AIK Stockholm for the Conference League. What does the former goalkeeper Dušan Melichárek, who played for Slovácko and Malmö, Sweden, think about the Moravians’ opponent?

The end of last year’s Swedish league was really interesting. Two rounds before the end the first four teams in the table had a chance for the title, before the last round it was between Malmö and AIK. But in the end Malmö was the winner, thanks to a better score.

This year, it doesn’t look like a title fight anymore. AIK has an erratic performance, after half of the competition they are six points behind the fifth place Hacken, on the other hand Malmö, the favourite to win the overall title, is only one point better off.

“I have noticed that their performances have been quite inconsistent lately. Very good results alternate with worse ones,” Melichárek told Sport.cz.

Although AIK has been playing second fiddle in the Swedish league in recent years, they have a very good squad. John Guidetti, the star of Sweden’s golden U21 Euro 2015 squad, is at the top of the table, veteran Sebastian Larsson with Premier League experience is operating in midfield, and right back Mikael Lustig played seven and a half years at Celtic Glasgow. All three also have extensive national team experience.

However, even a trio of big names did not guarantee the Stockhom side a quiet progression from the third round. Both games against Macedonia’s Shkendija Tetovo ended 1-1, with penalty kicks deciding the outcome for the clear underdog.

“I think the chances of progression are very good. Definitely a lot higher than Hradiště had in the Europa League preliminary round with Turkish Fenerbahce, which has a very strong team, which was confirmed,” continued the former Slovácko and Brno goalkeeper.

Slovácko played a decent double match against Fenerbahce. In Turkey, after a sympathetic performance and a harsh red card, they lost 0:3, in Uherské Hradiště they drew 1:1, reaching for the win in the end.

The disadvantage for Martin Svedik’s charges in the play-offs may be the away rematch. With the abolition of the goal rule on the opponent’s ground, this advantage is gone, and a cauldron of fans awaits Slovácko’s players in Stockhom.

“The local Friends Arena with a capacity for fifty thousand spectators will most likely not be sold out, but the stadium has excellent acoustics. Slovácko players must prepare for a stormy environment,” Melichárek added.

Sport.cz, Allsvenskan