Hammarby IF has several options at the forward position, according to major media reports. Paulos Abraham missed some matches due to injury but made a comeback in the Swedish Cup opener against Brage, coming on in the second half for his first competitive minutes in a while. The competition for the forward position is strong, with players like Elohim Kaboré, Nikola Vasic, and Suwaibou Kebbeh as options centrally.
According to Fotbolltransfers, Kalle Karlsson described Abraham as having had a very strong autumn and being the one others need to run past based on training performances, but he sees it as unlikely Abraham will be ready for 90 minutes by Monday. The coach also noted that Vasic has had a positive curve during the preseason, scoring against Seattle and making progress all the time, with major media adding that Vasic has taken steps back toward his previous successful level. Noah Persson was benched against Mjällby after starting all matches this year in the Swedish Cup, with coach Kalle Karlsson choosing to play with Frederik Winther as left-back and Ibrahima Fofana and Victor Eriksson as the center-back pair.
My hope is that he is ready for 90 minutes as soon as possible. But I see it as unlikely that he is ready already on Monday.
Fofana has started two matches and made two substitute appearances in the Swedish Cup. According to Fotbollskanalen, Kalle Karlsson described defensive play as key against Djurgården, emphasizing that defensive transition play is super important because they are very good in transitions. He also noted that Fofana was brought in for his physique, speed, and strength in set-piece situations.
Hammarby's next match is against Örebro SK on Monday, following a home game against Mjällby AIF at 3Arena in the Allsvenskan opening round. According to Fotbollskanalen, Kalle Karlsson described Bo Hegland as a skilled player who is good at finding spaces and gives the team good dynamics in its attacking play.
Paulos had a very strong autumn and so as he has looked in training, he is the one the others need to run past. I know it has been reported that Paulos has been good in training, but I think it has been an understatement. He has been incredibly good in training.
Niko has had a positive curve during the preseason. He scored against Seattle and I think he makes progress all the time. Then you have to understand that he has been away from playing matches for a very long time. It is natural that he will have a process to get back to the form he has been in.
They had a good autumn and have a good team and a broad squad, and they played a good match against BP. It will be fun to face a good Allsvenskan team. We have not faced any team from the Allsvenskan yet.
It is clear that now we have faced three teams from Superettan in the group and it is clear that it becomes a bit more that we need to take into account certain parts when we face a more qualified opponent.
Defensive play. Now we will face a team that has the ability to press us down sometimes.
Super important. They are very good in transitions. So that is a key for us.
They have several threats. (Mikael) Anderson was good in the last derby. But they have several good players. (Kristian) Lien and (Bo) Hegland look good, and several others too.
He is skilled at finding spaces and is mobile. There is no doubt that it is a skilled player. He gives the team a good dynamic in its attacking play by being good at finding spaces in front of the opponent's backline.
We have brought in Fofana today with his physique, speed, and strength in set-piece situations.