On his fifth working day in AIK, Mikkjal Thomassen made his Allsvenskan coaching debut.
It looked really good in a half half-time.
But then Gais was stronger and took a clear win with 2–0.
Mikkjal Thomassen led his first training session on Karlberg on Thursday. Four days later, he made his first match away against Gais.
How quickly can a new coach put his mark on a team?
At least during the first 20 minutes at Gamla Ullevi, some of what Thomassen has said he wants to do with AIK was seen.
The intensity and high pressure made Gais feel it directly. AIK slammed on, won close battles and the aggression paid off in the form of early ball wins and some decent chances that could have led to goals.
We had many good elements in the match. We played with pressure and intensity, which was at least a big step in the right direction. Our start to the match was very good. We pressed Gais down in their penalty area and had very good control, says Mikkjal Thomassen, and continues:
But we must get better at maintaining such play in longer sequences. And we must create more scoring opportunities.
”We led a bit undeservedly”
Gais recovered and Axel Norén nodded in 1–0 on a long pass from Mervan Celik after a short corner variant.
AIK has now conceded their sixth corner goal in this year's Allsvenskan. The team is worst in the league at defending corners.
Conceding goals on set pieces is never good. It's a primitive and simple thing for the opponent to do. Today we let in on a short one, so we've let in in all different ways, says AIK midfielder Anton Salétros.
Gais coach Fredrik Holmberg gave AIK praise.
AIK came out extremely strong and well. They were first on both the first and second ball. We led a bit undeservedly at halftime. In the second half, we had a clearly better attitude, but it was a very even match and we're happy to have won, says Holmberg.
Tough to meet Gais
The Gothenburg team controlled the second half and won more close battles. AIK, like many other teams, experienced that it's tough and difficult to play against Gais. It's only Brommapojkarna, 4–0 in the premiere in March, that has managed to win over Gais at Gamla Ullevi this year.
When skillful Gustav Lundgren's left foot swept in a diagonal pass in the 81st minute, the match was decided. Substitute Alexander Ahl Holmström had been on the pitch for eight minutes when he ran into a wide hole in AIK's midfield defense and neatly nodded in 2–0 past Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
Next Monday, AIK has a chance for revenge against Gais when the teams meet in Solna.
