The Rise of Solna: AIK’s Resurgence Makes Them Contenders Once More
The last six years will have felt like an eternity for AIK Solna fans. With a last league title coming back in 2018, AIK has fallen victim to Malmö’s sustained dominance of the Allsvenskan in recent times, as the club has found itself languishing with underachievement in the Swedish top-flight.
A 12-time league champion, there is an unwavering expectancy for one of the country’s footballing giants to be competing for the top honours once more. Many of the AIK faithful will be hoping that this will be the case this season. Mikkjal Thomassen’s side sits second in the standings after an unbeaten start to their campaign, and with optimism and excitement restored at Solna’s Strawberry Arena, there is a real belief growing at the club that this could be the squad and manager to take them back to the pinnacle of Sweden’s footballing elite. Here is a look at how a rejuvenated AIK have transformed themselves into contenders again.
Out Of The Blocks Fast
AIK’s first seven league outings have brought about a lightning-fast start with 4 clean sheets and 17 points. A back three of Thomas Isherwood, Filip Benkovic and Sotirios Papagiannopoulos has provided a solid base for the attacking talents of the team to flourish, with goals coming from all over the pitch in the early stages of the season.
There is a clear emphasis on attacking output to be provided by AIK’s wingbacks, a system which has reflected in six different goal-scorers already this term.
Thomassen will be hoping his summer signing Andronikos Kakoullis can find his goal-scoring form and add to the numbers, as the Cypriot is yet to find the back of the net this campaign. A run of form that will need to be reversed to maintain their title challenge going forward.
But as mentioned, it is the defensive steel and resilience that has been a notable characteristic of this new-look AIK side. Barring a 4-3 victory against Norrköping, Thomassen’s team has looked solid and well-drilled. With the veteran, and ex-Swansea man, Kristoffer Nordfeldt in goal, and their ever-present captain Anton Saletros in the middle of the park, Solna have a spine of leadership and experience that will stand them in good stead for the future.
Returning To Their Throne?
Although it is only early in this year’s Allsvenskan, there are plenty of reasons for fans of this historic institution to dream once more. For a club that is steeped in history and has an incredible following and attendance on matchday, AIK’s encouraging start will have supporters dreaming of a return to the glory days of the past.
With over 22 domestic trophies in their cabinet, Solna’s stuttering in recent years does match the stature and size of the club. Many managers have tried and failed in restoring the success of the past, and these shortcomings have resulted in a managerial carousel at the Strawberry Arena in recent times.
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The Man In Charge
Now the task falls on Mikkjal Thomassen to try his hand at taking this club back to where they belong. Recruited from Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad, Thomassen’s tenure has been filled with promise and positivity. Having plied his trade for much of his career in his homeland of the Faroe Islands, Thomassen represented a slightly left-field appointment to a team that needed an upturn in results on the pitch. Taking the team from mid-table to third last season, the Faroese coach has a 65%-win percentage as manager of AIK.
As he approaches a year in charge of the Swedish giants, there is a consensus from supporters that his appointment has reinvigorated Solna and that he is the right man to restore silverware to the club.
Increasingly Tough Opposition
Thomassen and his side face the evolving challenge of competing in a division that is growing in strength from top to bottom. Fierce rivals Djurgården, who currently find themselves in a European semi-final against Chelsea, as well as the likes of Malmö and Hacken, who have both had recent league title wins, have made the top tier of Sweden the strongest it has been in a long time.
It is the fixtures against Djurgården and Malmö that have perhaps represented the most signs of encouragement for AIK. Both resulting in draws, Solna stood toe-to-toe with their opposition and found themselves very unfortunate not to pick up the three points on both occasions. Carving out a plethora of chances to win the game in both contests, Thomassen has comprised a side that has shown incredible development since the start of his time in charge at the club.
There is a dynamism once more to AIK. Johan Hove’s three goals from midfield already this season, as well as Bersant Celina’s (another ex-Swansea player) quality in the final third, are just two of the many standouts from AIK’s start, as they have a real strength and explosiveness all over the pitch.
A Worry For Fellow Allsvenskan Teams?
Opposition fans will no doubt be wary of AIK’s resurgence, and with an undefeated start after 11 games in league and cup, the Swedish powerhouses of the past may be on their way to restoring the success that has alluded them for too long now.
A fallen giant showing the potential to rebuild and challenge for a European competition place in the near future. Who knows, perhaps AIK could welcome Liverpool to their Strawberry Fields in the not-so-distant future for UEFA competitions.
Written and Researched by Ewan Jackson
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