Markus Rosenberg takes on Olympiacos’s Luka Milivojević ©AFP/Getty Images
• Markus Rosenborg scores both to secure Malmö’s first UEFA Champions League points
• Hosts go level with Olympiacos in section
• Malmö New Stadium enjoys competition for first time
• Check out our exclusive behind the scenes photography for tonight’s game
• Next games: Atlético v Malmö, Olympiacos v Juventus (22 October)
Markus Rosenborg struck twice for Malmö FF to see off Olympiacos FC and get the Swedish club’s first points in the UEFA Champions League.
The local boy returned to the Swedish champions after nine years away in Europe and was inspirational in helping the club through qualification. The fairytale continued as the Greek side were seen off by a goal in each half.
After a 14 year wait the UEFA Champions League returned to Swedish soil and the Malmö New Stadium soaked up the occasion for the first time. The fans gave the teams a raucous welcome but it was the hosts who came immediately under pressure. Pajtim Kasami unleashed a fierce effort that Robin Olsen in the Malmö goal did well to palm away for a corner.
The first half saw both Olsen and his counterpart Roberto pulling off fine saves, all amid a physical but well-tempered encounter. As the clock ticked towards 45 minutes, Rosenberg struck for the hosts. Isaac Thelin rose highest to flick on a long ball which the No9 sprinted to chase down. He overpowered Alberto Botía to get to the ball first and prodded toward the Olympiacos goalkeeper who saved with his legs. To Roberto’s dismay it rebounded back to Rosenberg who took a touch to compose himself before sliding in calmly.
The home side were in a delicate situation as the second half kicked off; to continue on the attack or shut up shop at the back and see out the win through defensive resolve? It appeared at first that they had opted for the latter, and Olympiacos nearly got an equaliser through former Malmö man Jimmy Durmaz who entered off the bench. The Swede’s powerful shot almost slipped through Olsen’s fingers but the keeper did enough.
Thelin could only make an insufficient contact with his shin when he only needed to turn a cross past Roberto, while the Spanish keeper denied Magnus Eriksson a second. However, it looked like Olympiacos had squandered their chance to get something from the night when Olsen somehow kept Giannis Maniatis out from close range before Erik Johansson cleared the follow up off the line. Rosenberg confirmed that points with eight minutes remaining. Substitute Pawel Cibicki brushed off the attentions of Arthur Masuaku in the area and laid back for the forward to smash into the top corner to set the stadium rocking.
source:uefa.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 