Many of the visiting IFK Norrköping supporters wore blue jerseys – a call to the players to “do the job” in the qualifiers.
The same blue jerseys started raining down on the field the second the final whistle blew and Örgryte's 3–0 victory was a fact.
After six straight losses at the end of the Allsvenskan, another one came in the first qualifying match – and a dark night for “Beijing” before the return home.
"I think it's justified in a way," says Christoffer Nyman disappointedly.
Head coach Martin Falk also fully understands the fans' reaction.
"I need to stand there and take it. It's my responsibility, I'm the one who is ultimately responsible," he says.
There's nothing strange about it, it's a completely normal relationship. You want to give so much back and I understand them.
“Work really hard”
Besides, the supporters are right, he notes.
Yes, we need to work hard every damn millimeter out there. And really, as the supporters' message was, do the job.
Defense has been IFK Norrköping's major weakness this season, especially during the fall. It proved fatal against Örgryte, who, after a slump in form towards the end of the season, have found their attacking game again.
But before the return, it is mainly the mental part that needs a boost, notes Falk.
The biggest thing is to build faith and not feel sorry for yourself or lie down and die, he says.
The mental aspects become incredibly important and we need to find a way to help the players in the best way.
Economic crisis
IFK Norrköping has played in the Swedish league every season since 2011 and won the Swedish Championship as recently as 2015.
But recent seasons have been tough and last year "Beijing" made a loss of 43.8 million kronor - which forced the club to lay off staff this spring.
Next weekend, the return leg will be played at home. Then both the Allsvenskan contract and the damaged finances are at stake.
"At this point, no one is lying down and dying. The only thing we can do now is influence what we can influence," says Martin Falk.
And we have a “Parken” that will boil over, especially if we score the first goal.
