The Molde striker was not happy with what the team showed against Vålerenga. In a few days, the first of two important Champions League playoff games awaits.
INTILITY ARENA (Nettavisen): On Saturday, Molde suffered its fifth straight loss in the Eliteserien when Vålerenga became too strong in Oslo.
After the big upswing in the middle of the week, where they secured promotion to the last qualifying round in the Champions League, the Moldans quickly came down to earth again after 1-2 against Vålerenga.
Especially the defensive game within their own box was something more in the Molde camp were disappointed after the match on Saturday.
In addition to Vidar Örn Kjartansson and Aron Dønnum being allowed to stand unmarked and score their own goals, the former also provided a penalty kick to the home team after a dull defensive play by Molde.
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The Vålerenga player cheers with depressed Molde players in the background.
Photo: Terje Pedersen (NTB)
– Does not focus
A long play from Vålerenga’s goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson went over everything and everyone. Kjartansson was suddenly through and John Kitolano therefore had to resort to illegal means to stop the Icelander.
The situation led to Kitolano being shown the red card. The Vålerenga striker misused the chance from the penalty spot, but the Molde defense’s effort still became an issue.
The online newspaper tried to get a comment from the Molde defender, but was quickly informed that Kitolano was far down and had stormed out the back road and straight into the player bus outside the stadium.
One who took the time to talk, however, was Molde striker Ohi Omoijuanfo. He thought his teammates at the back of the field were simply not concentrated enough.
– We do not have enough focus as a team. Especially on the road, we have let go a little too much. We need to be wiser. We simply have to take action, says a critical Ohi Omoijuanfo to Nettavisen after the match.
Also read: Vålerenga took action. New figures attract attention: – It’s hefty
John Kitolano saw the red card and was far down after the match on Saturday night.
Photo: Terje Pedersen (NTB)
The striker explains that the team in terms of play created enough great chances to win the match, but that there was again a lack of focus in front of their own goalkeeper in important moments.
– We do not set our chances, there are also two key situations where we are not focused enough. The first goal they take a free kick quickly and enter. We do not follow Kjartansson there. In the penalty situation, there is a kick from the goalkeeper and there will never be such a big chance. That is what we focus on, that we must take better care of those situations, he says.
Molde coach Erling Moe was not particularly pleased with the team’s efforts either.
– We are late in the changes and will be left to act afterwards at the 0-1 goal. We are not present enough. We are too slow, says Erling Moe to Nettavisen.
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Struggling away
Saturday’s loss was Molde’s fifth away in the Eliteserien this season. Up to Bodø / Glimt, there is now a difference of 13 points before they play their match later on Sunday.
– It is of course disappointing. We want to win, but it is clear it will be tough when we get a red card early in the second round. It will be tough away from home, Ohi explains.
Although he thinks the team could have defended better, he was also unsure whether the red card could have been something strict.
– I am in a worse position than the judge is, but from my point of view it looks cheap. I can not say much, but I heard that several in the locker room felt that it was strict, he says and continues.
– We will take care of Kitolano. He was incredibly disappointed today, that’s understandable.
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Erling Moe th. and Ohi Omoijuanfo thank each other for the match.
Photo: Terje Pedersen (NTB)
Molde made several changes in the defense from the match in the middle of the week in the Champions League qualification. Martin Bjørnbak has been out for a long time with an injury and got his first minutes on the field in almost two months.
– Was it a game of chance to put in a stopper that has been out for so long considering the form Kjartansson was in?
– No, I do not think so. It was important to us since we have been so thin on the two central positions at the stop for a long time. It was important for us to get Bjørnbak going again, Moe explains.
The stopper was replaced during the break against Vålerenga. According to Bjørnbak and Moe, this had been agreed in advance.
Erling Moe was also not very happy with what he saw from his boys against Vålerenga.
Photo: Terje Pedersen (NTB)
Pain to lose against Vålerenga
Ohi has in previous settlements been out and reported against Vålerenga. The striker from Holmlia, south of Oslo, admits that Saturday’s loss is felt a little extra on the body.
– Since I played six years in Lillestrøm in addition, I feel a little extra about it. It is always fun to meet Vålerenga, but it is a pity that the supporters can not be in the stands. It gives a little extra. Hopefully they can come back soon, says Ohi.
In 2018, he was also linked to the club. He then went out to the media and confirmed the interest, but stated to VG that “it was not very relevant and that the first choice was to get abroad”. Later he signed instead of Molde.
In last year’s match, he also got to know the Oslo team’s supporters’ anger after a goal celebration.
In addition, he stated in 2017 that “Oslo boys are thrown out and treated as rubbish. The people of Oslo are not as fond of Vålerenga as people think », in an interview with Nettavisen.
– Does it hurt a little extra to lose against Vålerenga?
– Yes it does. For me, it is always extra nice to beat Vålerenga, Ohi concludes.
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