After battling for the title in 2019 and finishing 3rd, Hammarby endured a disappointing season in 2020 ending in 8th place on 41 points. After 25 rounds they were in the mix for finishing in the top three, but they only took 2 points from their 5 remaining matches. The major problem was at home where they drew 9 matches (W4 D9 L2). The prolific attack of 2019 that scored a record 75 goals was reduced to a mere 47 in 2020.
Ousted dominated the goalkeeping position with 25 appearances as Hammarby conceded 47 goals – the 5th worst in the Allsvenskan. Fallman, Fenger and Sanberg were the basis of their defence, but injuries meant continual changes throughout the season.
Anderssen and Abdul Khalili held the midfield together and were almost ever-presents. Others drifted in and out of the starting XI with a lack of goals from midfield an obvious flaw. They only contributed 12 goals over the season with Kacaniklic scoring 4.
Johannsson and Ludwigson had reasonable season in the attack with 12 and 9 goals respectively. The signing of Paulinho from BK Hacken was supposed to strengthen the Hammarby attack even further. However, his season was blighted by injury and he only managed 3 goals in 16 appearances.
Overall Hammarby failed to live up to expectations with Billborn’s first season in charge judged as a failure. He has another year on his contract, but Hammarby’s board may already be looking for fresh ideas. Johannsson is leaving too and a big gap looms in attack.
