Malmö left with a bitter taste after exit to Dinamo
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
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While Malmö FF were full of pride despite a "sickening" play-off exit, GNK Dinamo Zagreb coach said that such a shaky second leg "will be forgotten" now the group stage is to come.
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Seemingly assured of a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage after beating Malmö FF 4-1 in the opening instalment of the play-offs, GNK Dinamo Zagreb were left to breathe a sigh of relief after the return leg in Sweden. While the Croatian side's coach was keen for his team to enjoy their achievement, his Malmö counterpart was left with a bitter taste in his mouth despite a 2-0 home win.
Krunoslav Jurčić, Dinamo coach
Malmö played a strong attacking game and we needed to counter that. We should have scored from several big opportunities we had, but we didn't and we faced some problems later in the match. Šime Vrsaljko being sent off was the decisive moment in the match – it went one way after that.
Situations like that happen in football and it will all be forgotten as we have managed to reach the Champions League group stage. We have achieved something huge after so many years and I need to congratulate my players for holding on in this tricky situation. I want my players now to enjoy the Champions League.
Rikard Norling, Malmö coach
We played a fantastic match. The players were impressive. The way the match unfolded, we should have progressed. Such a brave exit is sickening.
Pontus Jansson, Malmö goalscorer
We should be proud of ourselves. It might feel hard now, but I think we'll feel proud tomorrow.
Daniel Larsson, Malmö forward
I feel bad thinking of how we let in four over there. We gave everything today.