Girona. Newly acclaimed Swedish champion, debutant in the national team with strong opinions.
Samuel Gustafsson, 27, questions both the twin brother’s national team match and the World Cup in Qatar.
– I’ve been playing with a Pride bandage around my arm all year, says Hacken midfielder.
He was ranked several places as player of the year in Allsvenskan. The captain of the national team also possesses these qualities Jan Anderson He was seen and therefore selected by Samuel Gustafsson, who had previously earned zero caps, in the national team to play against Mexico and Algeria.
– Now it’s nice to be able to spare a bit of partying (laughs) and play football again. It was a positive surprise, says Häcken’s team captain when he met the media on site in Spain after the first evening practice in Girona’s warm spring.
How much have you actually celebrated with Häcken?
– You celebrated our golden SM, yeah. But when I realized I was coming here, I prepared as best I could. I have been training with soccer and gym. I feel poised and tickled.
“be myself”
– I will do my best, be myself and do what I was chosen for. There are new colleagues, maybe a new system, a new way of working that I have to fit in. This will be the ultimate challenge. As a player, I rely heavily on my relationships with my fellow players, says Samuel Gustafsson.
He was present at his first meeting with the national team.
Twin brother Simon Gustafsson made two caps in the 2015 Winter Championships, but recently said in an interview with Football Channel that he will now play for the national team.
“I’d rather have time off then. I’ve taken this approach all the time and discussed it in various interviews. Not that I don’t want to represent my country, but as an elite player you get involved every day and it takes a lot of your time. Being able to take three days off Or four days when there is a rest for the national team is very important to me. I feel good about it. ”
Simon Gustafsson has come to a different conclusion.
Was playing for the national team a natural thing for you?
– Yes it was. It is a sporting challenge and a pride and honor to represent Sweden.
What do you say that the two of you, who are closely related, have different views on the national team matches?
– It’s a great example that we are not the same individual! He quickly replies that we are two separate people and with great relief.
How cool to be able to say that, right?
– She was a vignette at that time! (Laugh)
Are you arguing with each other about such a thing (readiness to play in the national team or not)?
– number. Simon congratulated me and wished me well like everyone else around me.
What do you think of Simon’s opinion in the national team matches?
– nothing. He can think what he wants.
Verona lifted with Grosso
Samuel Gustafsson has been in the national team for two years. In 2018/19, he had a solid season and promoted Verona to Serie A, but he seriously injured his thigh at the end of the season.
After four months of rehabilitation and two seasons in Cremonese, he returned to Häcken last summer. This year it was one of the biggest gold-makers ever.
Are you your best right now?
– My peak in Italy and this year is very similar in getting and finding a good role where I can express what I’m good at. These are the absolute success factors for me in my play style and who I am.
– The year I spent in Verona as coach of Fabio Grosso reminds me a lot of this year.
– Am I my best? Yeah, I think I’m better now anyway. I am getting older and gaining more experience. I stand firmly on the ground.
He also does so in his opinions.
Who will win in WC?
– I don’t know. I didn’t think much of it.
Will you watch?
– Yes, maybe I will.
How do you see it being played in the winter and in Qatar?
High athletic level. For football fans, there are things that attract them, of course.
– Since then… I have been standing up for human rights and equal value for all. I’ve played with pride all year representing a club that represents those values and so do I. More than that, I don’t like it.
In 2017 Häcken started with rainbow colored corner flags.
Too much to digest
Can you watch the World Cup joyfully from the TV sofa or is it almost painful because of the background?
– remains to be seen. I understand the intellectual challenge in that, says Samuel Gustafson.
How long will you follow the water cycle?
– There will be some toilet tips with friends etc. I didn’t think much of it. We celebrated SM’s gold and now I’m here with the national team. It’s a hell of a lot in the head, quite simply.