ALBIN EKDAL NEWS

Sees limited action against Roma Ekdal had three touches in four minutes in Round 38's 1-2 loss to Roma.

Impact Ekdal was mostly unused after starting the previous four games. He played a lot but didn't fill it up on either end. He logged two assists, ten chances created, 38 tackles, and 36 clearances in 31 appearances (18 starts).

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet vs. Lecce Ekdal had one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Lecce.

Impact Passable is the best way to describe Ekdal's output between April 15 and May 21. He logged 10 tackles, seven interceptions and five created chances without diverse output offensively.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Passable versus Lazio Ekdal won three duels and had one shot (one on goal), one cross (one accurate), and two chances created in Friday's 0-3 defeat to Lazio.

Impact Ekdal did a little bit of everything but didn't shine in any particular stat, which is the norm for him. He has tallied four shots (one on target), 11 tackles (three won), five interceptions, and 13 clearances in the last five fixtures.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wins three tackles in Sassuolo game Ekdal took one off-target shot and won three of four tackles and five duels in Friday's 0-1 loss to Sassuolo.

Impact Ekdal worked hard in the midfield, but it wasn't enough for his team to blank the opponents. He appeared to sub off more due to fatigue than because of an injury. He has tallied one assist, four off-target shots, 14 tackles (nine won), and five interceptions in the last five matches.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist against Udinese Ekdal provided an assist, had one off-target shot and made five tackles (four won), three clearances and two interceptions during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Udinese.

Impact Ekdal had arguably his best performance since moving to Spezia during the last offseason. He needed just six minutes to assist M'Bala Nzola with a great through pass and then bossed the middle of the park, putting up numbers that reminisced his best days at Sampdoria. The midfielder had a slow start of campaign and also had a couple of injuries that didn't help at all but his recent stretch indicates he can still be a very valuable fantasy pick.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts five interceptions versus Juventus Ekdal won five duels and had five clearances, one shot (zero on goal), and one chance created in Sunday's 0-2 loss versus Juventus.

Impact Ekdal returned to the XI since Salvatore Esposito was suspended for this one and helped the defense try stymieing the opponents. It was his first start since mid-November. He has notched four tackles (one won), seven interceptions, six clearances, and one block in the last five appearances.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes four clearances in return Ekdal made two interceptions, four clearances and one block and picked up a yellow card in 38 minutes Saturday's 2-2 draw at Empoli.

Impact Ekdal subbed on in the second half after missing three games with a thigh injury. The had a decent outing on defense, but not enough to avoid conceding twice in the last minutes. He also received his second yellow card in the season after 15 appearances (five starts).

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available versus Empoli Ekdal (thigh) has been included in Spezia's squad list to face Empoli Saturday.

Impact Ekdal has shaken off a muscular injury that cost him the past three matches. He's generally a bench option unless they have multiple absences across the formation, and that's the case in this one. He has tallied three shots (one on target), four tackles (two won), two interceptions, and four clearances in his last five appearances.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stays out for Bologna game Ekdal (undisclosed) won't be an option Friday versus Bologna, coach Luca Gotti announced.

Impact Ekdal will skip the second straight tilt with an unspecified muscular injury. With Simone Bastoni and Szymon Zurkowski also missing, Kevin Agudelo should notch another start, with Salvatore Esposito will be the top backup in the midfield.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Roma clash Ekdal will miss Sunday's match versus Roma due to a minor muscular problem, Spezia announced.

Impact Ekdal got a rare start in a midweek cup game and got a little banged up. With Simone Bastoni also out, Mehdi Bourabia, Ethan Ampadu, Kevin Agudelo, and newcomers Salvatore Esposito and Szymon Zurkowski will be the options in the midfield.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists against Fiorentina Ekdal assisted to go with three tackles (three won) and three clearances in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Fiorentina.

Impact Ekdal was involved in a set piece situation that resulted in an assist to M'Bala Nzola to tie the game right before halftime. The Swedish international would like to keep a starting role if he can maintain healthy after suffering from an early season thigh injury. He currently has an assist, seven tackles (five won), and six clearances thus far.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Subs in against Sampdoria Ekdal (thigh) had one interception and drew three fouls in 19 minutes in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sampdoria.

Impact Ekdal was back on the bench after skipping multiple contests and helped seal the game even though he didn't corral many stats. He could challenge Mehdi Bourabia for the starting job if he managed to stay healthy. He has notched one interception and two clearances in three appearances off the bench.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fit for Sampdoria match Ekdal (thigh) will be a bench option for Saturday's tilt against Sampdoria, coach Luca Gotti announced.

Impact Ekdal has recovered after three matches on the mend and has looked good in practice in the lead-up to the game. He could log some minutes in the second half. He has made just two short cameos off the bench so far, tallying two clearances.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Subs in versus Empoli Ekdal (foot) had one clearance and four passes in Sunday's 1-0 win over Spezia.

Impact Ekdal was able to log a few minutes after dealing with plantar fasciitis throughout the summer. He will challenge Mehdi Bourabia for the anchor role in the midfield in the next few games, but it might be a while before he's ready for full minutes.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for opener Ekdal (foot) has been named in Spezia's squad list to face Empoli Sunday.

Impact Ekdal has completed rehabbing from his latest bout of plantar fasciitis and stated to be significantly healthier than last season. He'll probably be brought along slowly after spending the summer as a free agent. He tallied one goal, seven chances, 43 tackles and 29 interceptions in 29 appearances last season.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss cup match Ekdal will be spared for Saturday's Coppa Italia game against Como due to a pre-existent injury, coach Luca Gotti announced.

Impact Ekdal dealt with plantar fasciitis last season and routinely missed time. It appears that Spezia will give him time to heal fully before fielding him, therefore he might be unavailable for the start of the season. Jacopo Sala or Mehdi Bourabia would fill in for him if that were the case.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Spezia Ekdal has agreed to a two-year contract with Spezia after leaving Sampdoria as a free agent, the team announced.

Impact Ekdal switches teams after being a linchpin for Sampdoria for three seasons, although he dealt with a nagging foot injury in the most recent one. He tallied 14 shots (two on target), 43 tackles, 29 interceptions and 23 clearances in 29 appearances. He should have a similar role at Spezia.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Inter game Ekdal (foot) has been omitted from Sampdoria's squad list to face Inter Sunday.

Impact Ekdal will be spared as he has dealt with plantar fasciitis over recent months and will attempt to get healthy over the summer. He has tallied one goal, 43 tackles, 29 interceptions and seven chances in 26 appearances (29 starts) in 2021/2022. Ronaldo Vieira, Kristoffer Askildseen and Simone Trimboli should get minutes in the season finale.

MAY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wins two tackles versus Verona Ekdal (foot) drew two fouls and won two of two tackles in 27 minutes in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Salernitana.

Impact Ekdal returned off the bench after sitting out two matches due to the latest flare-up of plantar fasciitis. He could resume starting over Tomas Rincon if he manages to keep the nagging injury in check. He has logged 39 successful tackles, 22 interceptions, 20 clearances and six chances in 24 appearances (18 starts) so far. Sampdoria will face Verona at home Saturday.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Should be option versus Salernitana Ekdal (foot) was not named in the list of players that will miss Saturday's game against Salernitana spelled out by coach Marco Giampaolo.

Impact Ekdal has sat out the last two matches as he is reportedly nursing plantar fasciitis, something he has played through in the second half of the season. If healthy enough, he could supplant Tomas Rincon in the starting XI. He has posted two chances, four tackles, five clearances and six interceptions in the last five appearances.

APRIL 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Roma match Ekdal was omitted from Sampdoria's squad list to face Roma Sunday.

Impact Ekdal has routinely dealt with foot problems this season and the area flared up again while on international duties. Tomas Rincon or Ronaldo Vieira will anchor the midfield Sunday.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic fighting to reach World Cup

They are superstar strikers fighting to secure what could be their last chance to play on soccer’s biggest stage

MARCH 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wins ten duels against Atalanta Ekdal created one scoring chance, won four of five tackles and ten duels and had three successful take-ons in Monday's 0-4 loss to Atalanta.

Impact Ekdal put up strong numbers on the defensive end, but it was not enough to stop the Atalanta romp. He has tallied five interceptions, five interceptions and one block in the last four matches. Sampdoria will visit Udinese Saturday.

MARCH 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays strong defense Ekdal had four interceptions, one tackle, one foul and sustained one foul in the 2-0 victory over Empoli on Saturday.

Impact While offense is vital in a victory, defense is what ensures that the opposition can't come back against you. Ekdal made sure to cause enough disruption against Empoli that they were unable to mount a successful comeback. Hopefully he can be an even bigger menace against Atalanta.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Clears suspension Ekdal will be eligible to play in Sunday's away against Milan following a one-game ban.

Impact Ekdal is also battling some minor physical problems, therefore he will be in contention with Tomas Rincon Sunday. He has notched 30 tackles, 16 interceptions, 15 clearances and 13 shots in 18 appearances so far, with one goal.

FEBRUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE