Malmo vs Juventus: 3 key Malmo players Juve should be wary of
Juventus have made a miserable start to their league campaign, attaining just one point from three Serie A games in the 2021/22 season so far. As far as their recent embarrassment is concerned, the 36-time Scudetto champions succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Napoli last Saturday.
However, they have a fitting opportunity to settle the score and bring a teeny-weeny sense of tranquillity back to the troubled minds, with the Bianconeri visiting Malmo to inaugurate their UEFA Champions League campaign this Tuesday.
Malmo, the champions of Sweden, have been placed alongside the Old Lady in Group H of the Champions League this term. The respective group also features champions of Europe Chelsea and Russian giants FC Zenit.
The Bianconeri, finishing fourth last season in Serie A, somehow managed to secure Champions League football on the last day of the Serie A last season, thanks to Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been here.
Qualifying via the playoffs in the Champions League this time, Malmo currently sit third in the Swedish Allsvenskan with 34 points — three points fewer than the current table-toppers Djurgårdens IF Fotboll.
Even though it may seem that Juventus are better equipped and stronger on paper than their Scandinavian counterparts, it promises to be a mouth-watering clash considering Juventus’ recent predicament and indolent playing style.
3 key Malmo players Juventus should be careful of
Henceforth, the battle on Tuesday evening, by no means, will be a mere run at the park for the Juventus players. And since Malmo will be the welcomers, Juventus should at least be prepared for a worthy spectacle. That said, we focus on the three key Malmo players that could endanger the Old Lady’s chances of success at such a monumental platform.
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3. Anders Christiansen
Every team in the world has some strengths and weaknesses — and a trump card, of course. Well, Anders Christiansen is the trump card of Malmo FF.
31 years of age, Christiansen is not only the club captain but also one of the most experienced players in a squad meeting the average age of 26.24 years (as per Transfermarkt).
Despite donning the number 10, he occupies various positions — from number 10 to number eight (mostly on the left) — across the field for the Swedish side. Christiansen has recorded four goals and seven assists thus far in Allsvenskan 2021.
To salvage something positive out of the match against Juventus, Christiansen has to be at the peak of his powers. The Denmark international is also famous for his deadly free-kicks from close range. As such, Juventus midfield and defence should avoid conceding fouls around the 18-yard-box.
Not always on the scoresheet, Anders Christiansen is the one who pulls strings from the midfield. The Copenhagen-born outlet is likely to start the game on Tuesday. If Juventus midfield or defence could keep a firm hold on his skilful movements, Malmo’s offensive demeanour would get annihilated to a significant extent.