Although Malmö FF were knocked out of the Europa League at the group stage, their performances left a positive impression on the European stage. FC Iberia 1999 are not expected to pose a significant challenge in the opening round of Champions League qualification — the team should be more than capable of establishing a comfortable advantage on the road.
One of the main concerns for FC Iberia 1999 is the squad’s overall market value (€5.60 million), which is eclipsed by that of a single promising Malmö midfielder, reportedly valued at €6 million. The squad struggled in the domestic Super Cup, suffering a 1:3 defeat to FC Dila Gori in the semi-finals before failing to score in the third-place match against FC Torpedo Kutaisi, losing 0:1 on penalties. The squad appears to lack the creative spark required to compete effectively in European fixtures.
Malmö FF hold a significant advantage in terms of match fitness at this stage of the competition. A spring-to-autumn league calendar allows the team to maintain competitive rhythm. Since early June, they have picked up five points from matches against BK Häcken (3:0), Mjällby AIF (1:1), and GAIS (0:0). The club has also bolstered its squad with the signing of experienced goalkeeper Robin Olsen, whose leadership and reliability are expected to play an important role. Since the beginning of 2025, Malmö FF have suffered just two defeats in ten away outings, including a strong display in the Europa League against SK Slavia Prague (2:2).
In Tbilisi, FC Iberia 1999 can expect sporadic support from the stands, but as underdogs, they are unlikely to match the quality and organisation of Malmö FF. The Swedes are well-prepared for this stage of the competition and could be realistic contenders for a place in the Champions League group stage.
