Joona Toivio ended up in Toni Koskela’s doghouse.
Toni Koskela (right) and Joona Toivio’s personal chemistry did not work. Jaakko Stenroos / AOP
It’s no secret that Joona Toivio felt a great relief when the HJK head coach Toni Koskelan the contract was terminated a couple of weeks ago.
For some reason, Koskela didn’t trust the topper who had returned to Helsinki with Huuhkajat status and a big salary in Finland.
Playing time was amazingly small last year.
– What would I say now? Of course, last season was difficult for me, and the personal chemistry did not meet in the best possible way, Toivio begins cautiously.
A professional athlete cannot keep his mouth clean. And it wouldn’t be useful in this situation either.
– I mostly think about how the team’s recent times have gone. It started to feel like we needed some change.
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Toivio played 78 times in the A national team. JANNE PALOMÄKI
The change of coach was immediately visible on the field. Toni Korkeakunnas immediately threw Toivio into the opener in his first match.
– I had already spoken with Toke (Korkeakunnas), so it wasn’t a surprise there anymore. I’m always ready to play and I prepare like that.
It is clear that it is more pleasant to go to work when one’s own professionalism is valued.
– Yes, I feel more liberated at the moment.
On Tuesday, the defender will play an important role again when he leads HJK in the second round of Champions League qualification against his former club Molde.
– We have to defend like hell and make the attacking play work. We really have a lot of quality in the team.
– And then you still have to put the ball in the bag. It’s been a bit of a challenge lately.