He has been the captain of the national team for both countries and is a television expert on the same match.
Of course then we have to check what Lars Lagerback thinks about the Scandinavian derby and how Sweden will stop Erling Braut Haaland.
Norway is a little favourite, says Lagerbäck.
Norway has not beaten Sweden in 17 years.
But ahead of Sunday’s summit in the Nations League, the Norwegians bring an exciting squad, good self-confidence and goal machine Erling Braut Haaland in the lead.
Meanwhile, Sweden is missing some key players and is registering a new system.
Sportbladet spoke with the Swede who should have the best control of both teams at the moment – Lars Lagerbackwho was captain of the Norway 2017-20 national team and Sweden 1998-2009 and will be an expert at Viaplay’s studio in relation to the match.
“A unique player in Haaland”
What’s your favourite, Lacey?
– It might be nice, but if you compelled me, Norway would probably be a little favourite. What is against this is that Sweden under Jan and Peter has an impressive score in Friends. It seems difficult to break friends.
Why is Norway so good now?
– Norway has produced a group of young players who are already established in the major leagues and have very good playing time, which is somewhat different from Sweden’s situation, he says and continues:
Norway has a very exciting team running. Big countries always have promising players, but Norway seems to be one of the most promising teams in the short term. If they continue like this, and there will also be some very promising young players who are not yet in the national team, it will look very positive for the Norwegian national team in the next few years.
Norway has not qualified for a tournament since the 2000 European Championships.
Do you think Sweden will be able to keep Norway behind in the future?
There are chances that Norway can rise to the same level as Sweden. Sweden is 19th in the world rankings and there I think Norway could be for the foreseeable future. They have a very interesting national team going on.
How will Sweden defeat Norway?
– Perhaps you should start by neutralizing their strengths. They have a unique buttress in Halland. It’s important to play as smart as possible against him, not just against him but that goes for the whole team and serving for him. This is the biggest key: if you succeed in neutralizing it, you have a good chance of getting a good result. If he doesn’t get any balls, it’s hard to do anything.
Understand Jean investment
Sweden line up with an inexperienced midfield duo against Haaland.
– It’s important to have speed in the back line, but that’s about the whole team because it can’t be built only on the fact that there are two midfielders against Haaland. Unfortunately, football is not so simple.
Of course, Lagerback saw Slovenia and Sweden on Thursday.
Sweden made some quick adjustments against Slovenia and if they did it against Norway it would of course be more dangerous.
What do you say about the 4-3-3 New Sweden?
– There is a lot that needs improvement so it is difficult to say at the moment whether this will be good or not. The whole team must work. They met the team (Slovenia) that ranked 65 and they will face better teams in the future.
Lagerbäck understands Janne’s transformation:
– Everyone can understand that. You never know if this is the best. Too early to say. But the main reason is to try to find roles for the best players and I understand that 100%.
I hope we can still be good friends with Jan Anderson
For the first time since leaving as captain of the Swedish national team in 2009, Lagerbäck will be covering Blågult as an expert (however, imagine he covered international training several years ago, but can’t remember where and on what channel).
– I’m good friends with Jan and Peter and I hope we can continue like this. But I have to say what I see and believe and think. Maybe I will try to do that.
How will it be to see the Norwegian national team again?
– It’s an extra seasoning for me. I’ve had almost all the players out there currently and have a good relationship with them.
Do you have contact with any of the Norway players?
– Yes, it happens.
How is the relationship with Alexander Sorloth (Lagerbäck got into a fight with the striker at the end of his time in the national team)?
– I have no direct relationship with him. It can be said that it is neutral.
Sweden and Norway will play on Sunday 5 June at 20.45. The match is broadcast on Viaplay and TV6.