Malmö FF have enjoyed a solid start to the Allsvenskan this season.
The side is at the top of the league, having won six out of six games and scored the joint-most goals.
Henrik Rydström, the head coach, took charge after the 2022 season and has successfully instilled an intriguing style of play.
In terms of the main principles and Henrik Rydström tactics of Malmö in possession, the 47-year-old Swede has stated that he has “moved away from being very positional.
He should be here, and he has to stand there” to start working more with relationships, going back and forth on that pendulum.
This is clearly evident when watching his Malmö side this season.
This scout report aims to provide a tactical analysis explaining the principles at play in this Malmö side and the reasons why they are effective in aiding the sides progress on the ball.
Henrik Rydström Formation
To fully explain Henrik Rydströms tactics at Malmö FC and the nature of their play, it is essential to mention the different formations on paper that Malmö has deployed this season, providing a starting point for understanding.
Malmö has fielded a 3-4-3 at times this season, but has played with a 4-2-3-1 for three out of the first six games. Below is an example of the 4-2-3-1 deployed against Hammarby.
The ball as the reference
When watching Malmö, it becomes apparent very quickly that the side has no set structure to employ in possession.
Although the team primarily focuses on progressing the ball through wide areas, players do not look to deliberately occupy specific spaces in this specific area.
The players do
