Allsvenskan 2022: How Miloš Milojević uses Erdal Rakip as a key puzzle to build Malmö FF – tactical analysis

Malmö FF are one of the biggest sides in Scandi football.

In 2021, they achieved considerable success as they entered the UEFA Champions League group stage, competing against Juventus, Chelsea, and Zenit.

Meanwhile, they also won the gold in Allsvenskan, securing a back-to-back title over competitors such as AIK, Elfsborg, and Djurgården.

However, after the season, Jon Dahl Tomasson departed, and Malmö was unable to retain Antonio Čolak and Anel Ahmedhodžić.

Hence, a head coach and a striker were needed, and now we had the answers.

Again, Isaac Kiese Thelin returned, this was the third time for the former Bayer Leverkusen man to join Malmö.

They also appointed Miloš Milojević, who parted way with Hammarby in December, as the head coach.

Malmö were already successful last season, it was difficult to build on more from it, but that is Miloš’ task.

This tactical analysis will examine how Miloš tested his side in the Svenska Cupen with a 4-3-3, and the tactical philosophy behind that beat AIK and Djurgården on the road.

Rakip’s role in the construction 

Malmö had so many talents and established players, Kiese Thelin was one of them, they also had experienced international players such as Anders Christiansen, Niklas Moisander, and Martin Olsson.

However, the 26-year-old Erdal Rakip emerged as the 6 of the team, who looked promising on Miloš’s side so far.

He only had 15 starts in the last All Swedish Football campaign, and he really stepped up to be a vital part of the team.

In the build-up, although Malmö also used a pair of wide full-backs, the 6 was still required to provide a passing option for the centre-backs.

In this sense, Rakip was good at moving in spaces to help his teammates, including in this example, when Joel Asoro pressed the centre-back, Rakip moved on the blindside to give Lasse Nielsen a vertical option.