Behind the scenes, IFK find themselves in a state of disarray, the spotlight glaring on the Sporting Director due to a season riddled with misguided transfer choices, drawing criticism from both fans and experts. The absence of a coherent strategy, an issue not new to this season alone, has exacerbated over time. The situation is not helped by the fact that Elias Hagen, a prestigious signing, has been offloaded at a slight loss within just half a season, amplifying the scrutiny. The appointment of Jens Askou as the new manager, fresh from a relegation experience in Denmark, has raised eyebrows and further intensified the pressure on the club.

Marcus Berg, the star striker, and captain, finds himself disheartened and struggling for form, having recently been benched in favor of more agile players, albeit with a lesser goal-scoring threat. The search for a new number 9 has yielded no positive results thus far. While a glimmer of hope emerged with their first victory in 11 matches a fortnight ago, a fortunate 2-0 win against Kalmar, it was swiftly overshadowed by a lackluster performance against Norrköping last weekend, resulting in a humbling 3-0 defeat on foreign turf.

In contrast, Djurgårdens still cling to a faint hope of clinching the title, although the gap of 9 points behind leaders Elfsborg makes the prospect a challenging one. Their primary focus is on consistent victories, aiming to at least secure a spot within the top 3. Unburdened by European commitments, they can channel all their energy into the league, fortified by a period of rest midweek.

The narrative of Djurgårdens’ struggles away from home earlier in the season, characterized by a winless streak spanning 6 matches, now appear to be an overplayed theme. Recent successes against formidable opponents like Värnamo and Mjällby have dispelled the doubts, as they clinched victories in their last two away fixtures.

With 7 wins out of their last 10 Allsvenskan matches, including triumphs over strong contenders like Malmö and Häcken, Djurgårdens’ prowess cannot be overlooked. The addition of new centre-forwards Milleskog and Qurbanli have injected more potency into their attacking game, allowing Oliver Berg to seamlessly transition into a more fitting and effective roaming midfield role.

Despite the nuances of morale within both squads being disregarded, it is evident that IFK grapple with a somber atmosphere, while Djurgårdens have been buoyed by recent displays of confidence and competence on the field.