The interest in Elfsborg’s home debut in the Europa League against the Italian giants is enormous. Even before the planned general ticket release for the match, Borås’ arena was sold out.
Elfsborg has previously had international bigwigs such as Valencia, Lazio and Napoli visit – but that was over a decade ago. Johan Larsson, who returned to the Borås team ahead of the 2020 season after five years abroad, ranks the match against Roma high in his career.
– As an individual match, it is high up. I was there against Napoli and have a few international matches here and there, but it is clear that it is high to be able to play this type of match with Elfsborg. It’s that simple. It’s a big match and I hope we can stand up in a good way, so that it will be a wonderful memory as well, he says.
“Will not be any tourists”
He does not want the Elfsborg players to be either cautious or overheated tonight.
– It’s really an individual question and I think it’s about experience. Now we’ve had a meeting where we’ve talked about how to attack this game, so we know what to do. The most important thing is to keep faith in our own qualities and not think too much about what kind of team is standing on the other side – although of course we have respect for the fact that it is a very good team, he says and continues:
– We don’t come out as tourists on our own home ground and give them anything. That is the most important thing, to feel that it is eleven against eleven and a round ball, but then there is nothing to brag about that it is a step up from the Allsvenskan. A respect without fearing anything.
“If you want to survive…”
According to Elfsborg’s manager Oscar Hiljemark, the preparations have not looked any different because it is Roma who are visiting and that it will be the biggest match for many of his players.
– No, it has been exactly as usual. Neither more nor less time. But it is clear that there is an individual factor in it all. Many of the younger players have dreams of coming out and playing at a higher level while some of the older ones have been at that level before.
– It’s about being able to visualize and prepare, both mentally and physically, to play a football match and be aware that you will get a few seconds less here and there and that it will go a little faster. But it’s something you have to learn if you want to survive in the professional football world, says Hiljemark.
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