THE BUILD-UP
"It has been a good week. The players have worked hard and, more than that, I can see them taking on board what we ask of them. It is 3 games’ week so there will be important to rotate the squad and manage players’ load efficiently.” says Fran Alonso, Head Coach of FC Rosengård.
THE OPPONENT: PITEÅ
“We know that Piteå do not need the ball to hurt you — They go forward early, they are direct, and in their last three games they have created very good chances without needing a lot of shots. Hellekant is their reference — she holds the centre-backs, she takes the long ball and she attacks the box — and Sharon Sampson one against one out wide is a real problem. When we played them up in Piteå in May we had almost seventy per cent of the ball and lost 2–1, because they won the first and second balls, so the threat kept coming without needed positional attacks. It will be important to have a better control of the second balls and do a good rest defense.”, Fran concludes.
HOW THE MATCH WILL BE DECIDED
“We are at home, we know exactly where we are in the table, and the players know what this game means. If we control their direct play and are a bit more precise than in our last two league games in both areas, I believe we will have a very good chance of three points.“
“And the last thing is the one I would ask for. Sunday at one o'clock, come and fill the IP stadium. This team gives more when it can hear the stadium behind it, and at this point in the season that is worth as much to us as anything we do on the training pitch. We would love to see you there,” Fran concludes.
TICKETS
Tickets cost from 50 SEK (children aged 5–18), 70 SEK (pensioners/students), and 100 SEK (adults).
Buy tickets here
THE GAME
FC Rosengård (12th place, 17 points) host Piteå IF (9th place, 23 points). Piteå picked up a point last weekend with a 2–2 draw against Kristianstad, while FC Rosengård came away empty-handed against Norrköping (1–2). Crucial points are at stake for both teams in the battle to secure their spot in the OBOS Damallsvenskan.
Current status in FC Rosengård
Players currently unavailable for selection: Cecily Wellesley-Smith, Isabel Gomez (avstängd), Simone Jackson, Thea Carlsson
Long-term injured: Amanda West (pausat karriären), Anastasiya Pobegaylo, Anni Hartikainen, Cecilie Larsen