AIK defeated Örebro SK 3–1 in a pre-season friendly at Skytteholms IP in Solna. ÖSK coach Rikard Norling, a former AIK manager, was serenaded by AIK fans during the game. Norling described mixed feelings after the loss.
At Skytteholms IP, AIK faced ÖSK in a pre-season friendly ahead of ÖSK's Superettan opener. A young AIK side, hampered by injuries, dominated the first half, leading 1–0 through Zadok Yohanna's goal in the 24th minute. It was 1–0 at halftime.
The second half saw Taha Ayari make it 2–0 in the 58th minute. ÖSK fought back, with substitute Erman Hrastovina pulling one back to 2–1 from a corner in the 76th minute. Sixten Gustafsson sealed a 3–1 win for AIK in the 88th minute. Attendance was 1200.
Rikard Norling, who coached AIK for a total of 13 years and won the SM-guld in 2018, was sung to by fans with 'Rikard Norling längtar hem till AIK', especially after ÖSK conceded. “They know what they're doing. They start singing, especially when we concede goals, and then you're sitting there absolutely furious,” Norling said. He described it as “a witty love” and a tribute.
Norling criticized ÖSK's cautious first-half play: “We were a bit too cautious, almost shy.” The second half improved until the final 10 minutes, when midfield turnovers proved decisive. He praised Hrastovina's return and goal: “So damn good.”
ÖSK now prepares for the opener against Landskrona on Easter Monday.
