Malmö FF lost 1–2 to South Korean Jeonbuk FC in a training match in Marbella. Two young debutants, 18-year-old Sashwat Rana and 19-year-old Jovan Milosavljevic, started under new coach Miguel Angel Ramirez. The game highlighted a team still in development amid several absences due to illness and injuries.
In Sunday's training match in Marbella against Jeonbuk FC, South Korea's most successful club sponsored by Hyundai since 1994 and winners of the K-League for the tenth time last season, Malmö FF lost 1–2. It was a typical preseason game serving as a workout for the squad under new coach Miguel Angel Ramirez, who continues to experiment with the lineup.
Pontus Jansson returned after missing the latest Europa League match against Genk, but several key players were absent. Gabriel Busanello, Sead Haksabanovic, and Theodor Lundbergh were ill, while Jens Stryger was injured. Andrej Djuric, Lasse Berg Johnsen, and Otto Rosengren were also missing. New signing Bleon Kurtulus joined the camp in Spain but was not in the squad.
The starting eleven featured Robin Olsen in goal; Johan Karlsson, Colin Rösler, Pontus Jansson, and debutant Sashwat Rana in defense; Arnor Sigurdsson, Kenan Busuladzic, Jovan Milosavljevic, and Taha Ali in midfield; and Anders Christiansen and Erik Botheim up front. The goal came in the second half through Arnor Sigurdsson, whose shot was deflected in by an opposing defender. Jeonbuk equalized from a corner after passivity in MFF's defense and sealed the win late with a classic attack past Olsen.
18-year-old Sashwat Rana, born 2007 in Copenhagen with Danish roots and an A-team contract since last fall, unexpectedly started at left back. 'Very happy to make my first match for the club. I needed to grow into the game a bit, against a tough opponent,' he said afterward, describing himself as a technical player who likes possession. He felt secure thanks to teammates like Colin Rösler and Robin Olsen.
19-year-old Serb Jovan Milosavljevic, MFF's most expensive signing ever for over 24 million SEK, debuted in central midfield – and turned a year older that day. 'It feels the same as yesterday,' he said with a smile, noting the coach congratulated him in the team meeting. 'It was a very tough match. We lose unfortunately, but the result is secondary.' He ran a lot but had a mixed performance.
Kenan Busuladzic, who also turned 19 during the camp, started for the fourth straight match. 'Fun to get that trust, but not fully satisfied. There was a lot I could have done better.' Adrian Skogmar impressed as a substitute, and Johan Karlsson seized the chance at right back.
Ramirez wanted more control and longer attacks, but the team only flashed brilliance sporadically. The team build feels unpredictable, which could be positive for a fresh start. The next match is against Norwegian Odds BK on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Puerto Banús, followed by the Swedish Cup against Varberg on February 22 – a tournament MFF must win for European play in 2026.
