Ahead of their second-leg UEFA Champions League qualifier against Malmö FF, RFS head coach Viktors Morozs and right-back Roberts Savaļnieks struck a defiant but realistic tone, acknowledging the challenge while focusing on improvement and regaining pride after a heavy 1–4 loss in the first leg in Riga.
“We want to show that what happened at home wasn’t who we really are,” said Morozs. “It’s not just about competing—it’s about proving we can play much better and represent the club at the level it deserves.”
Morozs, speaking on the eve of the match at Malmö Stadion, stressed the unique energy of European nights. “It’s going to be a lively atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to it. The Champions League is a fantastic experience, and we want to make the most of it,” he added. Despite no major changes in team availability, he emphasized that internal competition remains strong: “There are players ready to step in, and that’s encouraging.”
From a player’s perspective, Savaļnieks underlined the team’s mindset heading into the return leg: “We’ve analyzed the first match thoroughly. We know what went wrong and what needs fixing.” The defender also pointed out Malmö’s discipline and creativity as key factors in their dominance:
“They’re very structured in their play and quite inventive going forward—but we’ll be ready this time.”
Though overturning a three-goal deficit on the road is a monumental task, the focus within the RFS camp is on showing character and improvement. “We’re not thinking about the result as much as delivering our best performance,” said Morozs. “This is a chance to stand up and respond.”
RFS may have a mountain to climb in Sweden, but they arrive in Malmö with the intent to leave a different impression than they did in Riga. Should they fail to defeat the Swedish Champions with at least a 4-goal advantage, RFS will drop down to the Europe League QR3, where they will face Finnish Champions KuPS. Overcoming Europa League QR3 will guarantee RFS Conference League main phase in the autumn.
