A little over a year ago, Ismael Diawara was thrown into the air as Malmö FF entered the Champions League.
Tonight the goalkeeper once again played an important role as the MFF secured the European group stage once again.
– He’s really sick, Diawara tells Sportbladet.
3–1 at home in Malmö and 2–0 in Turkey. Malmo FF He eventually won a double header against Sevaspor in comfort.
They have some individual skills, but we knew they wouldn’t be able to bother us if we did what we were supposed to do, Ismael Dewara.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper unexpectedly had to intervene right from the start in the crucial Europa League playoff. First MFF goalkeeper Johan Dahlin suffered a slight concussion.
– I got the final message that I’m going to play today. Diawara says: I know you shouldn’t be nervous because of the head injuries that Johan suffered.
“We have this condition on us.”
Despite being thrown into the fight at short notice, Diawara managed to keep a clean sheet as the MFF won.
– We did it again. It’s really nice. The feeling is great, we have this demand on ourselves to win a double meet like this. He says its very nice to fix this.
When the MFF secured play in the Champions League last year, Diawara also had to play an important role. Then he jumped into the match against Ludogorets.
– It was exactly about a year ago. Yesterday it was a year since she debuted in an MFF jersey. He is actually sick. But it’s nice to be able to put in a good effort again, says Diawara.
‘A lot happened in one year’
The 27-year-old recruited from Degerforce last summer and, to say the least, has had time to experience a lot during his relatively short MFF career. Last spring, he became the penalty shootout champion when Malmö FF won the Swedish Cup against Hammarby.
– A lot has happened in one year. For me, it was just about fighting and taking risks when they came. And to keep learning things from Johan and Johnny (goalkeeper coach Fidel). He says, I think I did it in a good way.
Tomorrow the Europa League group stage draw will take place and then the MFF can face the big clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. But Diawara prefers to avoid the biggest giants.
– I have no idea what sowing sets are and what we can get. But I hope we get the best from an athletic point of view, Diawara says.