Piotr Johansson has silenced his doubters with a strong season for Djurgarden after a serious ACL injury. The defender explains to Fotboll Sthlm how he lives in the present and has found his footing in a new position on the pitch.
Johansson's comeback has been one of the highlights of Djurgarden's season so far. After missing much of last year due to injury, he has established himself as a regular starter. His performances have been a key part of the team's defensive stability, which is clearly reflected in the current standings.
How has Johansson adapted his playing style?
Piotr Johansson explains that his view on his career and the game has changed following his injury troubles. "Today I try to slow down a bit more than I did before", he tells the Stockholm-based site. He now appreciates how fortunate he is to be able to play football at an elite level.
This new mentality has also influenced his positioning on the field. While he previously often operated as an out-and-out centre-back, he has shown greater flexibility in recent matches. This has given the manager more tactical options, which is valuable ahead of a tough run of games like the one listed on our fixtures page.
What role does he play in the current Djurgarden setup?
In the current Djurgarden lineup, which you can view in full on our squad page, Johansson has found a niche as a defensive midfielder or a deeper-lying centre-back in certain systems. His experience and calm ball-playing have become an asset when the team builds play from the back.
His physical presence is also important. Standing at 190cm tall, he is a dominant force in the air, both defensively and offensively during set-pieces. This quality complements other key players in the defensive line and helps Djurgarden maintain one of the best defensive records in Allsvenskan in terms of goals conceded.
What does Djurgarden's immediate schedule look like?
The team's focus is now fully on the remaining matches in Allsvenskan. After a round with many points collected, Djurgarden has established itself at the top of the table. Every match becomes decisive in the hunt for the league title.
The next challenge is an away game against a direct competitor in the title race. It will be a direct test of the team's defensive solidity and Johansson's form. A victory there would be a major step forward. The team's offensive capacity, which can also be studied on our stats page, will need to fire to break down the opponent's defence.
Piotr Johansson and his teammates have a packed week ahead with training and match preparation. The final concrete detail is that Djurgarden's next home match is scheduled for this coming Saturday at Tele2 Arena.
