Swansea City travelled to Malmo in the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday holding a 4-0 lead from the first leg last week.
Malmo carried a threat in the early stages of the first period, but were unable to make the breakthrough as the two sides entered the break level.
Swansea looked the most likely to open the scoring in a low-key second half, but they could not find that elusive pass in the final third as they advanced courtesy of their 4-0 win at the Liberty Stadium.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Swansea will attempt to secure a spot in the Europa League playoff round this evening when they travel to Swedish outfit Malmo. As mentioned, the Swans are the strong favourites to advance into the next round of the competition after they won the first leg 4-0 last week, with summer signing Wilfried Bony scoring twice at the Liberty Stadium.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Swansea make seven changes from the first leg last week with Ashley Williams, Wayne Routledge, Wilfried Bony and Michu the only survivors. Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey and Pablo Hernandez miss out through illness and a groin injury respectively. Full team news to follow from the Welsh camp.
TEAMS:
MALMO: Dahlin; Richardinho, Albornoz, Jansson, Helander; Rakip, Hamad, Friberg, Forsberg; Cibicki, Eriksson
SWANSEA: Tremmel; Richards, Chico, Williams, Taylor; Canas, De Guzman, Pozuelo; Routledge, Michu, Bony
So there we have it. Chico comes into the centre of the defence alongside Williams, while Jonathan de Guzman returns at the heart of the midfield. Alejandro Pozuelo is also given the chance to impress following his late goal last week. Malmo, meanwhile, include 10 Swedes in their first XI, with Brazilian defender Richardinho the only exception. Magnus Eriksson, who has scored seven times this season, leads their line.
In truth, there was not a lot between the two sides in the opening half of football last week, but Swansea took control of the tie with a strike from Michu eight minutes before the interval. Malmo impressed in the early stages of the second, but a quick-fire double from Bony moved the Welsh outfit into a three-goal lead before Pozuelo, who joined this summer from Real Betis, struck a fourth in the latter stages.
This season is the first time that Swansea have competed in a European competition since 1991 - when the Welsh outfit were utterly dominated by Arsene Wenger’s Monaco team, with the likes of George Weah and Youri Djorkaeff part of the side that emerged victorious with an aggregate score of 10-1 over the two legs.
In terms of the previous meetings between Malmo and Swansea, last week was the only time that the two sides have met at any level of football. The score was a surprise for many, especially after Malmo had thumped Hibernian 9-0 over two legs in the previous round. But you just get the feeling that Swansea could be onto something this season. It is undoubtedly the strongest squad of players that they have ever acquired.
Summer signing Bony, who scored twice in the first leg last week, also appears to be a big fan of this competition, meanwhile, with the striker finding the back of the net 10 times in his last 16 appearances in the Europa League. It would be fair to say that Swansea relied on Michu for goals last season, but this term they have another genuine threat in the final third.
As mentioned, Malmo do have pedigree at this level of football, however, with the Swedish outfit reaching the final of the European Cup in 1979. Their opponents were Nottingham Forest, who claimed the trophy courtesy of a 1-0 victory. Bar a minor miracle this evening, they will not have the chance to make it to another European final this season.
In terms of fitness, Malmo should certainly be ahead of their opponents this evening with the Swedish outfit 18 games into their domestic season. They finished third in the table in the previous campaign, but will be hopeful of improving this time around. They currently sit second in the Allsvenskan, two points behind leaders Helsingborg.
Another team who is in the mix at the top end of the table is AIK Fotboll, who hosted Manchester United in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday. One thing is for certain, the Premier League champions knew that they were in a game against the impressive hosts, who claimed a 1-1 draw against David Moyes’s side. The Swedish division is no Mickey Mouse league there is no question about that.
Malmo are also a club that are used to winning trophies. They have claimed the Swedish title on 19 occasions, with their last success coming in 2010. They have also been runners-up on 14 occasions, which demonstrates their stature as one of the biggest teams in their home nation. However, it remains to be seen whether they truly believe that they can turn this one around this evening.
They enter the match off the back of a 3-1 win over Halmstad at the weekend, but they have lost two of their last three games, including the defeat in the first leg last week. One player who they will look to is South African international Tokelo Rantie, who has notched one goal and three assists in the Europa League this season. Although he is not in their starting side this evening.
Swansea, however, have been in stunning form in pre-season. They have won each of their three non-competitive fixtures, the first of which came with a 1-0 success away to ADO Den Hagg. They then travelled to face Championship outfit Yeovil Town, where they recorded a thumping 5-0 win. Another victory followed, this time away to Reading on July 27, before beginning their European campaign last week.
In terms of their start to the league season, they have been handed an extremely tough run of fixtures. They welcome champions Manchester United to the Liberty Stadium on the opening weekend of the season, before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur one week later. They then face a tough trip to West Bromwich Albion before welcoming Liverpool after the international break.
There is no question, however, that there is a different feeling around the club this summer. That’s not to say that Swansea will finish in the top four next season, but a strong start could hand them a platform to push for the top six. There are not many teams in the division that play better football than Swansea, but now they have the players to put the ball in the back of the net.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Swans midfielder Leon Britton revealed that he cannot wait to see Michu and Bony operate in the same team on a regular basis. He told reporters: “They are on the same wavelength. Good players understand each other's games. Any partnership takes time to develop and that's why they'll only get better the longer they play together."
He continued: “When Wilfried signed he wasn't here for the first week because he had to get a work permit, but the partnership looks very promising and gives us a new dimension. Michu showed last season what a player he is and now Wilfried comes in and scores two on his debut. It is very exciting. He's not been here long, it's the early stages, but the partnership looks very promising."
Just a quick word on what is actually at stake this evening. Whoever progresses will enter into the playoff round of the Europa League. That sees 29 winners from this third qualifying round meet 18 sides entering the competition and 15 losers from the Champions League qualifiers. Victory in the next round puts you into the last 48 in the group stage. Simple right?!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Following the completion of the pre-match handshakes and exchanging of flags we will be ready to get the action underway. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I think Malmo could pick up a narrow win this evening, but it will not be enough to book their spot in the next round.
Just a reminder that Swansea lead 4-0 from the first leg, therefore Malmo need to score at least four times without reply to have a chance of making the next round. Unlikely, but not impossible. The rain is really coming down at the moment, which should make the pitch lively. The home side get the evening underway.
It must be said that the noise is deafening inside the stadium in the early stages of this European tie. Meanwhile, despite the rain, the pitch is in perfect condition, which will suit Swansea. Bright start from Malmo with Friberg advancing down the right, but Taylor is across to quell the danger. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score early here.
CHANCE! Blistering start from the home side as Hamad finds Cibicki in the box, the striker thumps an effort towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. An early goal would send this stadium into a frenzy there is no question about that. Swansea have hardly had a touch of the ball in the opening four minutes.
The crowd are very tight to the pitch in this stadium which is creating a stunning atmosphere. It has been a very positive start for the Swedish side with Eriksson and Forsberg both causing problems in the final third. A half-chance arrives for Michu as the Spaniard curls an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves high and wide of the crossbar. That would just about have wrapped up this tie as a contest.
Just a few signs that Swansea are starting to settle into the match with De Guzman and Canas both enjoying plenty of the ball. A sweeping pass from the latter comes close to finding the run of Bony, but Jansson is across to quell the danger. Two very good passing sides on display this evening there is no question about that.
The rain has just started to ease off in the last couple of moments, but the surface remains extremely slick. A half-chance arrives for the Welsh outfit as Routledge drives to the edge of the box before attempting to find the run of Bony, but Richardinho is across to quell the danger Bright opening 10 minutes of football, but it remains goalless in Sweden.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments in terms of opportunities, but Swansea have certainly started to enjoy more of the possession. Just a reminder that Malmo trail 4-0 from the first leg and therefore the onus is very much on the home team. In truth, it would take a minor miracle for them to turn this one around this evening.
Swansea are doing exactly what they would have wanted at the moment with the home supporters getting very frustrated with their careful passing in their own half. Malmo came out the traps very quickly, but the Swans have been able to quell the early threat. Routledge comes close to meeting a through pass from Michu, but the offside flag is raised.
Not the best spectacle at the moment truth be told, but it is very effective for Swansea as the Welsh outfit continue to keep possession. A loose pass from Canas does hand a half-chance to Malmo, but Hamad is felled outside the box by Ashley Williams. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Hamad, but Chico is on hand to clear the danger with a towering header.
Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from the home side. It is not difficult to see that they are getting frustrated with Swansea comfortable in keeping possession. It remains goalless with 18 minutes on the clock, but Swansea lead the tie 4-0 following the first leg last week.
Half-chance for Swansea as Pozuelo collects possession outside the box before finding Michu, the Spaniard fires a cross into the box, but Dahlin is on hand to clear the danger at the vital moment. Eriksson has a half-chance down the other end moments later, but he can only lift his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Better from the home side.
CHANCE! First real opportunity of the match for Swansea as Michu beats the offside trap before advancing into the box, but his low effort is saved by Dahlin. The Spaniard attempts to find Bony from the rebound, but his cross was too high for the Ivorian. Really bright opening 23 minutes of football, but still the second leg remains goalless.
Good possession for Swansea in the last couple of moments with Canas and Routledge seeing plenty of the ball, but they have been unable to really penetrate the Swedish side thus far. You just get the feeling that one goal for Swansea would wrap this game up. It is difficult to see Malmo scoring six times without reply at this stage of the match.
In fairness to the home supporters they are continuing to create a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, but there is a sense of frustration each time Malmo lose possession. Michu attempts to lead a break for Swansea after gaining possession in midfield, but Albornoz is across to clear. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Swansea's best chance of the match by some distance as Canas threads a low pass towards Routledge, the winger takes it in his stride before driving into the box, but he can only turn his effort wide of the post, much to the frustration of Michael Laudrup. For the neutral, a couple of goals for Malmo in the first period would set the second half up nicely.
Richards attempts to force the issue for Swansea as he drives a low cross towards Bony, but once more Jansson is on hand to clear the danger. The home side break down the other end with Forsberg, but his final pass does not find a teammate. A free kick arrives for Swansea outside the box moments later, but De Guzman's effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Malmo call for a penalty as Cibicki collects a high ball in the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Canas is on hand to make the block. The Swede calls for a penalty, but the referee is not interested. There is no question that Malmo are providing more of a threat than last week, but still they trail 4-0 on aggregate. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
It is worth noting that Malmo have lost just three times on their home patch in the Swedish league in the last three seasons, while they are notoriously strong in the second half of matches in this stadium. The first yellow card of the match is awarded to Michu as the Spaniard clatters into Richardinho. It was not a tidy challenge and the home support let him know all about it.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Rakip joins Michu in the box for a late challenge on Bony outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by De Guzman, but it is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
In truth, this has not been the best half of football that you will ever see, but it has been effective for Swansea. They are doing exactly what they need to do with 41 minutes on the clock. Bony has the ball in the back of the net moments later, but the Ivorian is ruled offside. The threat from Malmo, meanwhile, has just quietened in the last few moments.
Hamad attempts to take matters into his own hands by striking an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Another half-chance arrives for Michu down the other end, but the Spaniard's turn and strike smashes straight into the back of Jansson, who has been the pick of Malmo's defenders in this first period.
I shouldn't think that there will be too much time added on at the end of the half with no injuries or changes to report in the first period. Swansea continue to pass and probe outside the Malmo box in the latter stages of the half, but their final pass has been lacking thus far.
HALF-TIME: Malmo 0-0 Swansea (0-4)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0 on the evening. Malmo have been much-improved from the first leg, but they need to score at least four times in the second period to have a chance of progressing this evening. Unlikely, but not impossible at this stage of the match.
BENCH WATCH: Both sides have a wealth of attacking talent on their respective benches this evening. Malmo have the likes of Rantie, Konate and Petrovic, who will surely enter in the second period. Meanwhile, Swansea, have Leon Britton, Nathan Dyer, Angel Rangel, Ben Davies, Garry Monk and Ki Sung-Yong in reserve this evening. I suspect that we will see a couple of those as the match progresses.
STATISTICS: Malmo have just shaded the possession in the first period with 52%, but they have managed just three attempts on goal - none of which have been on target - to Swansea's four. Swansea also had a Bony 'goal' disallowed in the first period for offside, when replays showed that the Ivorian was level with the final defender.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. It would be safe to say that one goal for Swansea would wrap this tie up. It would leave Malmo needing to score six times without reply. Right, Swansea get the action underway in the second period.
Neither side has made any changes at the interval, which is a surprise. I suspect that Malmo will give it 10 minutes or so before ringing the changes. There is no point in drawing this game 0-0, they may as well go for it and risk getting beat. Positive start to the second half from Malmo, but they have struggled to find that killer pass thus far.
The fact that the stadium is not full, but there is such an incredible atmosphere says something about those in attendance this evening. Early chance for Routledge to open his legs in the early stages, but Richardinho is across to quell the danger. Slight problem for Cibicki as the Swede is caught by Canas, but following a period of treatment the forward is deemed fit to continue.
Good possession for Swansea in the last couple of moments, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third this evening. Canas works the ball from left to right before eventually sliding a pass towards Bony, but once more the Ivorian is offside. Still goalless on the night with around 40 minutes of football to play.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Malmo struggling to penetrate this well-organised Swansea defence. Another yellow card is awarded, meanwhile, with Helander entering the book following a late challenge on Bony. Unfortunately, the match has become scrappy in this second period.
One player that has impressed this evening for Swansea is Jazz Richards. The right-back, who ended last season on loan at Crystal Palace, only played four times for the Swans last season, but it appears that he will be given opportunities this season. Another half-chance arrives for Pozuelo following a threaded pass from Michu, but the attack breaks down at the final moment.
Routledge attempts to take matters into his own hands as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. First change of the match for Malmo, meanwhile, as Hamad is replaced by Petrovic, who is highly rated in Sweden. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this Europa League tie.
I suspect that we will see a couple of changes for Swansea in the latter stages as Michael Laudrup prepares his team for the new season. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Swansea still comfortable in possession of the ball. It has been a very mature display from the Welsh outfit this evening there is no question about that.
Half-chance on the counter for Malmo as Eriksson escapes the challenge of Taylor before finding Rakip outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. That is the closest they have come in the second period, which tells you all you need to know about their threat in this half. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Sweden.
Just a reminder that Malmo need to score four times without reply in the latter stages of this match to take the tie into extra time. Couple of half-chances for the home side as Eriksson and Rakip both try their luck from outside the box, but neither tests Tremmel in the Swansea goal. Ashley Williams enters the book moments later, meanwhile, following a late challenge on Cibicki.
Half-chance on the counter for Swansea as Michu carries possession into the Malmo half before finding Routledge on the right, but the winger loses possession at the vital moment. A corner follows, but Dahlin collects under minimal pressure. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Sweden. Goalless on the evening, but Swansea lead 4-0 on aggregate.
Swansea make their first change of the match as Nathan Dyer enters the field in place of Routledge. If there is one thing that Malmo will not want to face at this stage of the tie is pace, which is what Dyer will certainly provide. It is a surprise that Malmo have just made one change at this stage of the match. Now their attention simply must switch to league matters.
Malmo do look to their bench once more as Halsti replaces Friberg in midfield. It is understood that there are Middlesbrough scouts in attendance this evening to take a look a look at Rantie, but the South African is currently still on the bench. Swansea remain comfortable in possession as we approach the final 15 minutes of action in Sweden.
In truth, this has not been the best spectacle that you will see all season, but Swansea will not mind as they move closer to a spot in the next round of the competition. First real chance for Dyer to open his legs as the winger drives into the box, but Jansson is across to clear the danger.
Swansea make their second change of the match as Ki enters the field in place of Michu, who has had a disappointing evening. Meanwhile, Malmo also make their third and fine chance as Eriksson is replaced by Rantie, who was his side's best player in the first leg last week. Malmo need four goals in 14 minutes. I said it was unlikely, but not impossible. Well, now it is impossible.
Half-chance for the home side as Williams fells Rantie in a wide position. The resulting free kick is whipped into the area by Cibicki, but Williams is on hand to clear the danger. The resulting corner is again whipped into the area by Petrovic, but this time Chico clears the danger. It must be said that Swansea have been very impressive defensively this evening.
Twice Bony is forced into some defensive work as the Ivorian heads clear following a deep cross from Rantie before clearing the danger under pressure from Forsberg. Swansea attempt to break through Ki, but his pass towards Dyer is intercepted. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in Sweden.
Despite the fact that their team is heading out of the competition, the home supporters have been wonderful this evening. There is some spectacle behind the goal at the moment with the amount of flags that are being waved. Not too much is happening on the pitch truth be told with both sides exchanging possession of the ball. There is a goal in this for Swansea if they want it.
Swansea have just upped the tempo in the last couple of moments with Dyer and Ki both delivering low crosses into the box, but Malmo have been able to clear the danger on each occasion. In truth, it has been a little bit like a pre-season match in this half with the tie all but over. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
Swansea make their third and final change of the match as Rangel enters the field in place of Richards, who has been impressive this evening. Bit of a worrying moment for Malmo as Petrovic clashes with Taylor, but it does appear that he will be fit to continue. Still the home supporters create a wonderful atmosphere inside this compact stadium. A half-chance arrives for Guzman moments later, but Jansson is back to clear off the line.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a couple of late challenges. Swansea have certainly been the more adventurous in the latter stages, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third. I shouldn't think that there will be too much time added on by the referee.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. A deep cross from Dyer threatens to find Bony in an advanced area, but the Ivorian cannot make contact. Little over one minute of added time remaining.
FULL-TIME: Malmo 0-0 Swansea (0-4 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Not the best of matches, but Swansea will not mind as they have booked their spot in the playoff round of the Europa League courtesy of a 4-0 aggregate score. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
