28 August 2014
Reigning domestic champions Malmo FF will become Juventus’ first ever Swedish opposition in a European competition after both sides were drawn into Champions League Group A.
Prior to this year’s tournament, the Swedish outfit had featured in 13 different UEFA Champions League campaigns and confirmed their spot in the 2014/15 group stages thanks to a 4-2 aggregate win over Red Bull Salzburg in the second qualifying round.
The Allsvenskan club, who play their home games at the 24,000 seater Swedbank Stadion, have won 17 national championship titles and 14 national cups, making them the most successful side in Sweden in terms of trophies accrued.
Malmo FF’s most memorable campaign saw them reach the final of the continent’s premier competition, then known as the European Cup, in 1979, only to lose 1-0 to English side Nottingham Forest at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.
In the current squad, captain and dangerman Markus Rosenberg started his career with Malmo FF before having successful spells with European giants Ajax and Werder Bremen. He returned to the Swedish outfit in February of this year and slotted back into the club like he’d never been away, notching 13 goals in 27 appearances.
Although the two sides have never met before, they do share an important connection. Ex-Bianconeri striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who spent two seasons at the club from 2004 to 2006, began his professional career at Malmo FF, leading the Swedish side back into the big time after their relegation in 1999 at the tender age of 19.
