Malmo might be running away with the Allsvenskan title, but one of their key men knows that continental football is a totally different kettle of fish ahead of their Europa League opener with Rangers on Thursday.
The Swedish side warmed up for the tie with a handsome 4-0 win against BK Hacken on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the league to 11 points over nearest challengers to their crown Djurgardens. However, Malmo have failed to progress from the group stages of either the Champions League or the Europa League throughout their 60 years of playing in Europe and skipper Anders Christiansen – who netted twice in the Djurgardens victory – is acutely aware that they will have to raise their game in the revamped league phase, starting with Philippe Clement‘s side at the Eleda Stadion this week.
Speaking to fotbollskanalen, he said: “Now I have found an incredible number of situations through (former teammate) ‘Mackan’ (Markus Rosenberg), who was the driving force when I played with him. There is a difference between playing in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference, and not playing in Europe at all. Or if you’re going to win gold. I want to be nice but I also want to win, and become champions and play in Europe.”
Christiansen has come under fire in the Swedish media for avoiding a red card in Sunday’s victory but insists that Malmo – who were beaten 4-0 over two legs by Sparta Prague in the Champions League playoff last month – will be going all to collect as many points as they can to ensure they make the knockout round.
The 34-year-old – who played in the team’s 4-2 aggregate victory against Rangers in Champions League qualifying three years ago – added: “We played 180 minutes against Sparta Prague, we felt that it was a mature and mature team we met. Then you come home to the Allsvenskan and then it’s a tackle that becomes the big topic of discussion.
“Maybe that’s why – I’m not saying it is – that we focus on some things. I’m not saying I was right or wrong, but we also have to tolerate being cynical. When it’s a match with a lot at stake, that we dare to go first.”