Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson described the club's Europa Conference League victory over HJK Helsinki as one of the best of his managerial career. The win propelled Motherwell into the play-off round, where they will face Bundesliga club Freiburg.
Ibrahim Said scored two goals in the second half to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory over the Finnish side at Fir Park. Johansson praised his team's effort across both legs and noted a step forward in their on-ball performance. The attendance of 8,100 was also highlighted as a significant figure for a modern-day fixture.
"It has to rank quite high," Johansson stated. "It was two really strong legs from us in Helsinki and here. I'm really pleased to see the effort. I never have to speak about it because it's always there. But I felt today we took another step in the direction in how we want to look on the ball."
He added, "So pleased and happy and proud to be a part of that. When you're in the dugout and the players are on the pitch, there's an energy with these people singing and chanting and it transmits to the pitch and makes us better and stronger as a club."
Said's performance, including his two goals, earned particular praise from Johansson. "It was an outstanding performance. I'm so pleased for him. I think he's been really good at the start of the season in Europe and the league," the manager said. "Against Falkirk he dropped a bit. His effort was so high defensively but wasn't as good on the ball then a few days later to focus and try to do better, impressive."
Motherwell are set to host Freiburg, last season's Europa League finalists, next Thursday for the first leg of their play-off tie. However, Johansson stated his immediate focus is on Sunday's Premier Sports Cup tie against Stenhousemuir. New signing Joe Hodge is a potential debutant for that match, and Johansson indicated that further signings are expected before the transfer window closes.
"We're not done in this window. There are still things to be done but for us we're in a situation where we want to be patient and make the right decisions," he commented.