During the spring season, Rassa Rahmani had an obvious place at Landskrona BoIS left back.
The first time at the club has been a success.
The goal is, and has always been, the Allsvenskan.
– The Allsvenskan attracts a lot; it is probably special to play there for a club that has also been taken up, says “Grandpa” Rahmani.
In Ettan Norra, he was Rassa Rahmani ranked highest of all center backs by Wyscout during the 2023 season. That after being “schooled” from a full back role, or even as a midfielder, by Olympic acquaintance Mesut Meral.
In BoIS, there has been a lot of edge-running in a role that is somewhat different compared to the inverted right-back – Max Nilsson’s role.
Did your role turn out as you had imagined?
– I enjoy my role very well. The only small adjustment is that we defend in a four-back line, but we have the ball 70-80 percent and then I end up centrally. I’m a left back 30 percent of the time and a center back 70 percent of the time. Then we play in a way that few other Swedish teams do, which is developmental.
– Everything didn’t turn out the way I imagined from the beginning, but you have to have a certain adjustment period in a new club with a new environment and new teammates. It takes a while to get warm in the clothes.
You didn’t seem to need it anyway – does that mean you’ll get better this fall?
– As a team, we just want to get better and better. It also applies to me individually.
Speaking of Max Nilsson.
After his goal against Örgryte you celebrated with some kind of noble greeting. What was that about?
– We talked before the match that we would have our own goal and trained a little. If one of us scores, we run it for fun. His development curve is the one that has pointed steepest upwards. It’s extremely fun for him and the team. He should just continue on that path and it’s great that BoIS dares to give such young players the chance.
You have described yourself as an offensive play, but it is very rare that we have seen you sweep far into the attack for, for example, posts or breakthroughs. Have you deliberately taken a little piano, or are you shackled to your own half of the pitch by the coaching staff?
– I am absolutely not tied down… As an offensive player, I mean that I am an offensive centre-back. I am an offensive soul! But sure, I can be in the fits more than I have been and I should get around to more posts, but just a little…
We back the tape.
As a Malmöpåg and grew up there – how did you see Landskrona BoIS as an association in your youth?
– I believe, or know, that Landskrona BoIS is in a much better place today than when I grew up. We lead the Superettan and are on our way to the Allsvenskan and everything around is in place. I have heard that there was often chaos in the club. If you grow up in Malmö; then it’s only Malmö FF you look up to. At least it was like that then. Today it is certainly different. Today, Landskrona BoIS has a better reputation.
Rassa Rahmani is from Malmö with BK Olympic as parent club. He became a regular in the A team already as a 17-year-old, when Olympic won Division 3 Södra Götaland in the 2017 season. After three seasons in Division 2 and a total of 16 years in Olympic, he went to Dalkurd FF in Ettan Norra ahead of the 2021 season.
What were the options when you left for Dalkurd?
– There were a handful of options with a couple of clubs that were concretely interested. A team from the Allsvenskan, three or four alternatives from the Superettan and something from Asia. Landskrona was the club that presented its plan best and represents the type of football that I want to play. Therefore, the choice was easy.
Didn’t the foreign country attract?
– At some point in my career I might want to. I’m from Iran and it might be an option, but never know what life offers in a few years.
Rahmani, 23, is on a three-year contract with Landskrona BoIS.
What kind of dreams do you have with your football?
– As a football player, you always strive for the best. A dream is the Premier League or La Liga, but the main thing is to play at the highest level possible. A dream is to take BoIS to the Allsvenskan. Then getting to play in the Allsvenskan attracts a lot; it is probably special to play there for a club that has also been taken up.
Has any club shown interest in you already this transfer window or has it been completely silent?
– I think that many of the BoIS players are interesting for the market, myself included, and know that there is interest, but not what.
What would it take for you to leave? 100k black and own bungalow with sea view in Dubai?
– It is very difficult to answer. If you play with the idea that something would come in that would make me financially independent, it would be difficult to say no, of course.
What is daily life like apart from playing football?
– There will be a lot of training beyond the usual. When we are free tomorrow Saturday, I wake up, eat breakfast, go to the gym and do rehab and then spend time with family and friends. I have a lot of ideas about one day owning my own business. I sometimes think about things like owning a restaurant or something.
In the last three matches, BoIS has conceded ten goals. 4-3 against Örgryte, 4-3 against Östersund and 0-4 against Lyngby.
Ahead of Monday’s restart of the Superettan, what have you talked about and worked on regarding the defensive details that clicked?
– It is clear that we talked about it. If we had conceded ten goals where the opponents did something well, we would have had to find a solution. But if you look at the ones we let in in these three games, it’s laughable. Three goals from set pieces against Östersund, one from set pieces against Örgryte and then three total total total bids against Lyngby… I know you can’t count like that, but still.
Surely there is a stability after many held zeroes before that?
– That is absolutely true. We have worked a lot on how we want to defend high, low, in and outside our own box. Everything is very clear. Then each match lives its own life.
– If we remove the problem with fixed situations, we have conceded five goals in 14 games, which is really good. If we don’t give up fixed situations, we don’t end up in those situations…
In conclusion – a couple of character questions:
What are your greatest strengths on the pitch?
– My foot and my smartness.
… and your weaknesses?
– The main game.
What is your absolute favorite sports venue in Scania – you can’t say Landskrona IP?
– The Lindängen IP is like home to me. I have spent 16 years of my life on the plans around it.
… and where do you have the worst memories?
– Örjans Vall. I made an incredibly bad effort there against Halmstad for Dalkurd. We lost and I caused two goals, a penalty on top of that and picked up a yellow so I got banned.
If you could give your 13-year-old self one piece of life advice for a football career – what would it be?
– Very difficult question. I would tell myself to always believe in myself, no matter what.
If you were the coach for your team’s next game. What new tactical moves had you come up with?
– Pass the ball to Burra. That’s it.
It’s 2-2 in the 90th and you get a free kick just outside the penalty area. Who decides and how?
– I decide, of course. I haven’t achieved my first goal yet. I took a free kick against HIF that didn’t turn out so well. It’s usually me, Robin or Adam who take the free kicks.
If you were given 10,000 kroner to spend on anything for your team – what would you do?
– Go with the whole team to Chiraz in Malmö to cook good food. I would personally recommend the mix of chicken and kebab skewers.
What does the perfect workout look like?
– Mass the square, then some possession practice and then 11-on-11. Preferably in bright sunshine.
You have won the local derby on a Friday night and the salary has just landed in the account. What are you up to?
– Sad answer. I take care of my body and spend time with friends. I’ve never been partying or anything like that – I’m so boring! Should we have a team party, me and Robin will be the first to sneak home, haha…. If it had been the last game of the season, I would probably have traveled somewhere. Traveling is my thing.
If you could travel anywhere you wanted to watch football – where would you go and who would you take with you?
– I’m at United but have never been to Old Trafford. The girl would be allowed to come along. Or Max Mölder and Billy Magnusson.
In conclusion, Ronaldo or Messi?
– Messi. Period.
Review: Who is BoIS’s new fullback Rassa Rahmani?
Contact details:
Christoffer.ekmark@skanesport.se
