Malmö FF is only sixth in Allsvenskan where the hope of defending the SM gold is already out, despite six rounds remaining.
On Wednesday evening, there were hopes of being able to find some comfort in European games.
But that's not how it turned out.
MFF instead started the Europa League with a painful loss at home to Ludogorets, the Razgrad club that has won the Bulgarian league 14 seasons in a row.
The guests took hold almost immediately when Petar Stanic shot 1-0 on a penalty in the eighth minute. The penalty was awarded after a VAR review showed that Gabriel Busanello had embraced a Ludogorets player in the penalty area.
The situation became even worse for MFF when national team goalkeeper Robin Olsen made an unfortunate intervention on a free kick in the 24th minute. Olsen came out completely misjudged, the ball bounced off him and out to Yves Erick Bile who slammed in 2-0.
Ludogorets had two Swedes - Joel Andersson and Edvin Kurtulus - in the backline and were close to 3-0 before the break, when the quick striker Caio Vidal hit the crossbar.
MFF managed to get some contact when Lasse Berg Johnsen, via an opponent, reduced to 1-2 in the 78th minute. But there were no more goals at Eleda stadium.
In the group stage of the Europa League, 36 teams participate, all playing eight matches each. Malmö FF will meet Czech Viktoria Plzen away next Thursday.
