THE element of surprise is undoubtedly one of Molde’s biggest weapons in this season’s Europa League.
It is not enough, though, to persuade Stefan Johansen that Celtic will not garner six points from six against the Norwegians when the two teams come together in their next two Group A fixtures, despite the Parkhead club’s penchant for conceding soft goals in European competition was lade bare spectacularly on Thursday evening.
While Efe Ambrose was almost single-handidly tossing away a two-goal lead in Glasgow in the 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce, Molde were busy recording a credible 1-1 stalemate with Dutch side Ajax, a point that takes them clear at the top of the section. Given the calibre of opposition, it is a prompt start from the lowest ranked team in the group which has raised a few eyebrows across the continent, especially given Erling Moe’s team are seventh in the Tippeligaen.
Midfielder Johansen is just one who has been impressed if not slightly taken aback. However, it has not shaken his belief that two wins from two are still within reach for Ronny Deila and his Scottish champions.
“I’ve got to be honest and say they haven’t done that well in the league this year. Last year they were really good but this season they are struggling a bit more,” said the Norwegian. “They lost their captain and some players. They got a new coach and they are doing well in Europe. Europe is a huge thing for them and they are going to give everything.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us. But I’m pretty sure if we play our best we will beat them in the two games.”
He added: “At the end of the day we have quality players and when we are at our best we are a very good team. They have done well but we need to go there and play our football. We have to attack them and from what I’ve seen of them this year, I’m optimistic we can go there and beat them.”
The post-match examination from Thursday’s draw keeps coming back to one man – Ambrose. The Nigerian defender’s howler of a back pass just before half-time and his slack marking just after it allowed Fernandao to grab a brace and salvage the Turks’ first point of the campaign.
While others were happy to point the finger of blame at the enigmatic defender, Johansen insists he and his team-mates would not join in. “The supporters can say anything…but we will stay behind every player in this team,” he said. “I thought Efe had a good game, except for a mistake. It is not just his fault that we lost these two points. I thought we looked a bit afraid after they scored their second goal.
“So no-one can blame Efe. He is a fantastic player, and he is a great person as well. Okay, maybe the supporters think something else when these kinds of things happen, but his team-mates will always back him up.”
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