THEY greeted the arrival of their Scottish opposition on social media.
But Rangers fans should see Malmo’s cheeky online “welcome” message as more of a warning from the past given the history between the two clubs ahead of their Europa League opener.
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The Swedes have not lost in their last four encounters with the Ibrox side, in Champions League qualifiers stretching back over a decade ago.
But now they now meet in a competition proper, with Philippe Clement‘s men facing the Swedish champions in their first match of the reformatted tournament.
His opposite number in the dugout Henrik Rydstrom channelled the spirit of predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson, whose comments in 2021 surrounding Gers’ finances before their last encounter rubbed some Light Blues faithful up the wrong way.
He hopes they can add to the club’s list of successes against Rangers and backs its social media team’s reminder of events on and off the pitch involving the Scottish outfit.
READ MORE RANGERS STORIES
SWEDE AND SOUR
SunSport’s guide to Rangers’ previous meetings with Malmo – a team they’ve NEVER beaten in four attempts, and who have handed out some wounding defeats
Rangers 0 Malmo 1
Champions League qualifier – July 26, 2011
Ally McCoist’s champions suffered a shock home defeat as Daniel Larsson hit the only goal in the first-half at Ibrox.
New boss McCoist, who had stepped up to succeed Walter Smith, stuck with the stars who had won the title at Rugby Park just two months earlier.
But the loss of captain David Weir to injury shortly after Larsson’s goal was another blow and Gers couldn’t equalise.
Malmo 1 Rangers 1
Champions League qualifier – August 3, 2011
Nine-man Gers were dumped out of the Champions League by Malmo in a bad-tempered encounter in Sweden.
Nikica Jelavic’s goal had levelled the tie in the 23rd minute but red cards for Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra hit McCoist’s side.
The Swedes were reduced to ten men when Ferreira Ricardinho saw red but an 80th minute goal from Jiloan Hamad put the tie out of reach.
Malmo 2 Rangers 1
Champions League qualifier – August 3, 2021
Exactly a decade after Gers’ elimination in Sweden, they returned to Malmo and suffered another damaging result.
Soren Rieks and Veljko Birmancevic scored two goals in two minutes after the break as Steven Gerrard’s side wobbled.
Steven Davis scored in injury-time to give Gers hope for the second leg at Ibrox – but more woe awaited them just days later.
Rangers 1 Malmo 2
Champions League qualifier – August 10, 2021
Alfredo Morelos cancelled out Malmo’s first-leg after just 18 minutes and Gers fans believed they were on the way to victory.
That feeling was fuelled when Malmo’s Bonke Innocent was sent-off in first-half stoppage time with the tie balanced on a knife-edge.
But Gers collapsed in the second half and Croatian striker Antonio Colak – who would later sign for Gers – scored twice inside four minutes to send the Swedes through 4-2 on aggregate.Â
They shared a video with a caption which read: “When we met in 2011 you ended up in the fourth division.
“When we met in 2021 you ended up in the Europa League final.
“Welcome back to Malmo, Rangers. We’ve missed you.”
Their manager- whose side actually wrap up their league campaign in November and currently sit eight points clear in the Allsvenskan – was in optimistic mood during his pre-match media duties.
On the video, he said: “it’s never a bad thing to remind the opponent that this happened before… and it will probably happen again.”
But Clement and his players will be out to prove them wrong and get their Europa League campaign off to the best possible start.
SunSport has everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
When does Malmo vs Rangers kick-off?
- Malmo vs Rangers takes place TODAY – Thursday, September 26
- It will kick-off at 5.45pm
- It will be held at Eleda Stadion, Malmo
Is Malmo vs Rangers on TV and can I live stream it?
- Yes, Malmo vs Rangers will be shown live on TNT Sports 2
- Coverage will get underway at 5pm
- Subscribers can stream the gameon TNTSports’ streaming platform Discovery+
- Or you can follow the action on our live blog
Team news
- Winger Oscar Cortes will miss the match after picking up a knock in training ahead of this one, which will rule him out for “several weeks”
- Brazilian full-back Jefte is suspended after his dismissal against Dynamo Kyiv in their Champions League exit
- Ridvan Yilmaz will be sidlined – the Ibrox men could turn to Dujon Sterling or Neraysho Kasanwirjo at left-back – or consider a change of shape
- Long-term injured duo of Danilo and Rabbi Matondo haven’t been included in the Europa League squad
- Former Celtic star Sead Haksabanovic won’t for feature for Malmo as he recovers from a groin injury
- Experienced duo Nilkas Moisander and Oscar Lewicki are currently sidelined with knee injuries
- Teenage defender Nils Zatterstrom should return – as could the experienced Soren Rieks
Match odds
Malmo 27/20
Draw 23/10
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Rangers 2/1
(odds from bet365 as of 25/9/24)
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