The nigerian netted the winner against hibs at the weekend but hasn't been able to travel to Helsinki for the clash with HJK
Motherwell have suffered a Europa Conference League blow as Ibrahim Said will miss their qualifier away to HJK, writes Scott Burns in Helsinki.
The Nigerian striker, who netted the winner against Hibs at the weekend, has been unable to travel to Helsinki because of a visa issue.
Said has remained in Scotland and Dylan Williams will also miss out, although Alfred Johansson has been able to add Johnny Koutroumbis and Alex Lowry to his squad for tonightâs first-leg in the Bolt Arena in Helsinki.
Johansson confirmed: âIbrahim hasnât been able to travel. âHe is fine but there have been some issues with travelling. âIt was a visa issue. âHe is not here so it is not sorted and that is how it is, unfortunately.
âWe have a quality player here (Willy Vogt) that can play in the same position, we have Mikey Booth and Alex Lowry have done really well. Obviously, we would want him to be here but now it is time for others to show what they can do. âWhat a gift at the same time to have a fresh Ibrahim for Sunday.
âAlso, on the negative side, Dylan Williams got a knock in the game against Hibs and isnât ready for this game. On a positive note, we have Johnny Koutroumbis back. He is in the squad and ready to contribute and addition to Alex Lowry, so we look good.
Johansson told his Motherwell players they would need to eat barbed wire before their away win against HB in the last round. He joked that is still on the menu for HJK with a few additional energy drinks.
He laughed: âIt worked, so we have put the same on the menu this week. It is a slightly different style of opponent in terms of style of play, but it then there are other things.
âSo it will be more than barbed wire, we will need some energy drinks in the legs because we are going to have to run and sprint a lot. âThey are really fast in their runs in behind and strong in possession. Also going on astro, as soon as you face teams it is very quick. âIt is a different type of challenge and it is a big one.â
The winners of this tie play will play Freiburg in the playoff round but Johansson admitted him and his team canât afford to look past the Finns.
The Swede claimed: âFor me, it is the next game. We play tomorrow and we look forward. It is nice for me to be back in Scandinavia to play here. It is a big, big challenge.
âIt is a Helsinki side that has played 17 consecutive seasons with some sort of European football, whether it be group stage or the qualification rounds. They have had one defeat at home in the last 10 years.
âIt is massive challenge. To then start to start thinking about things in a couple of weeks would just be north of stupid.â
Johansson couldnât get his dad out to the Faroes and he wonât be in Finland either because he has has to go to Norway to empty the Motherwell managerâs old flat.
He confirmed:âUnfortunately, no. He is actually going to Norway to sort my old apartment. We will see when he can be present at the game.â
Motherwell will also be roared on by a sold-out away section. Johansson knows that away support could play a big part on the night.
The former Rosenborg manager beamed: âThis just puts a big smile on my face. I hear we have sold all the tickets, 550. There are many other fans who are traveling and will try to get a ticket.
âSo roughly 600 or more travelling form Scotland. It is summer vacation, the kids start school next week and they need to buy things for the kids for school, but people use their money to come here and support us. I know the flights and hotels and Scandinavia are not cheap.
âWhat a passion, what a commitment. It is a big boost for to play in a difficult environment to have them behind us.
âIn Edinburgh and the Faroes, we felt it and we know how much it gives us to the game. Also being able to celebrate with them is massive. That energy definitely to transmits to the dugout and to the players.â
Motherwell have suffered a Europa Conference League blow as Ibrahim Said will miss their qualifier away to HJK, writes Scott Burns in Helsinki.
The Nigerian striker, who netted the winner against Hibs at the weekend, has been unable to travel to Helsinki because of a visa issue.
Said has remained in Scotland and Dylan Williams will also miss out, although Alfred Johansson has been able to add Johnny Koutroumbis and Alex Lowry to his squad for tonightâs first-leg in the Bolt Arena in Helsinki.
Johansson confirmed: âIbrahim hasnât been able to travel. âHe is fine but there have been some issues with travelling. âIt was a visa issue. âHe is not here so it is not sorted and that is how it is, unfortunately.
âWe have a quality player here (Willy Vogt) that can play in the same position, we have Mikey Booth and Alex Lowry have done really well. Obviously, we would want him to be here but now it is time for others to show what they can do. âWhat a gift at the same time to have a fresh Ibrahim for Sunday.
âAlso, on the negative side, Dylan Williams got a knock in the game against Hibs and isnât ready for this game. On a positive note, we have Johnny Koutroumbis back. He is in the squad and ready to contribute and addition to Alex Lowry, so we look good.
Johansson told his Motherwell players they would need to eat barbed wire before their away win against HB in the last round. He joked that is still on the menu for HJK with a few additional energy drinks.
He laughed: âIt worked, so we have put the same on the menu this week. It is a slightly different style of opponent in terms of style of play, but it then there are other things.
âSo it will be more than barbed wire, we will need some energy drinks in the legs because we are going to have to run and sprint a lot. âThey are really fast in their runs in behind and strong in possession. Also going on astro, as soon as you face teams it is very quick. âIt is a different type of challenge and it is a big one.â
The winners of this tie play will play Freiburg in the playoff round but Johansson admitted him and his team canât afford to look past the Finns.
The Swede claimed: âFor me, it is the next game. We play tomorrow and we look forward. It is nice for me to be back in Scandinavia to play here. It is a big, big challenge.
âIt is a Helsinki side that has played 17 consecutive seasons with some sort of European football, whether it be group stage or the qualification rounds. They have had one defeat at home in the last 10 years.
âIt is massive challenge. To then start to start thinking about things in a couple of weeks would just be north of stupid.â
Johansson couldnât get his dad out to the Faroes and he wonât be in Finland either because he has has to go to Norway to empty the Motherwell managerâs old flat.
He confirmed:âUnfortunately, no. He is actually going to Norway to sort my old apartment. We will see when he can be present at the game.â
Motherwell will also be roared on by a sold-out away section. Johansson knows that away support could play a big part on the night.
The former Rosenborg manager beamed: âThis just puts a big smile on my face. I hear we have sold all the tickets, 550. There are many other fans who are traveling and will try to get a ticket.
âSo roughly 600 or more travelling form Scotland. It is summer vacation, the kids start school next week and they need to buy things for the kids for school, but people use their money to come here and support us. I know the flights and hotels and Scandinavia are not cheap.
âWhat a passion, what a commitment. It is a big boost for to play in a difficult environment to have them behind us.
âIn Edinburgh and the Faroes, we felt it and we know how much it gives us to the game. Also being able to celebrate with them is massive. That energy definitely to transmits to the dugout and to the players.â
Related Coverage
- HJK 1-1 Motherwell: Scottish side claim creditable first-leg draw â BBCMotherwell will need 'extra batteries' for high-tempo HJK clash - Johansson
- BBCMotherwell will need 'extra batteries' for high-tempo HJK clash - Johansson â BBCHJK Helsinki: Everyone to Helsinki
- BBCHJK Helsinki: Everyone to Helsinki â Motherwell Football Club
- Motherwell grab positive result in Europe but are downed by ex-Celtic striker's fine strike â The Scotsman
