Sheffield. There is a lot of talk about goals, objectives and more goals before the meeting with the wounded, poor Switzerland.
Don’t wake up a sleeping bear.
Or yes, why not?
The entire European Commission has summed up succinctly so far:
Impressive and impressive offensive gameplay.
Clumsy defensive play.
Sweden introduced its first entertainment show in a different way.
Well, I realize that tactical clashes between two well-organized teams do not appeal to everyone. But at least we were some who enjoyed Bramall Lane positions on that mild Saturday night that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Release Stena!
Just as nerves have finally waned for hosts England, it is surprising how something has changed in the Swedish camp during the week.
It’s tjoas and tjimas in a completely different way now (although Caroline Seeger has gone against this very psychic and amateurish remark..).
Perhaps the pressure to score in the last two group matches, to keep Holland behind, is a nail in the coffin. At the same time, it’s healthy to be able to think about seriousness from time to time, when it’s appropriate.
Then they also know that parts of Switzerland – in the words of Greenland captain Nils Nielsen – now spend most of their time on the toilet. A hard (sick) blow to opponents, but of course it’s a potential golden opportunity for Peter Gerhardsson and Magnus Wakeman to make a properly eleven starts ahead.
Release Stena Blackstenius!
And why doesn’t Bjorn wake up again?
Semrant has been given number one
After Sweden’s international training match against Brazil at Friends, Natalie Bjorn recalled what everyone saw:
She (preferably) doesn’t fill Caroline Seeger’s shoes on the day she needs a permanent replacement.
Then the 25-year-old leaned forward and added in a cheerful if serious tone:
Peter, I want to play centre-back!
When Linda Sembrandt is in good shape, she should be considered number one without a threat in the middle lock. The lack of a Juventus player – who then suffered a severe knee injury – was particularly noticeable during last summer’s Olympics.
Now the 35-year-old sustained a nagging ankle injury just weeks before he left for England, which later caused a feeling in his other leg. We cross both our index and middle fingers in hopes of having a proper round against Switzerland and playing the rest of the tournament.
With the four-way defensive line likely going to be engraved on Wednesday afternoon, this will likely mean the removal of the centre-back. Magdalena Eriksson has started several games as a left-back (three during the Olympics) but it will be difficult to move new Jonna Andersson after her latest endeavors.
real surprise
It would be normal to pass Bjorn to the bench again. Amanda Ilestedt is a clear favorite of the league captain and assistant who seems to believe her strengths outweigh her weaknesses.
Ilestedt, 178 cm tall, is great in the air. He was seen, among other things, at the opening match in Tokyo – now legendary – as American boots were pressed into the shoe.
Skåne, on the other hand, has a more difficult time keeping up with powerful opponents and skill at combination. When you lunge forward it’s with mixed results (the last example can be taken from Vivanne Miedema’s back-to-back move before the equalizer. The Olympic final is another).
An alternative would be to add a real surprise moment involving Badass Ericsson.
From the outside, this might seem logical. As the all-women’s Super League may be the best player in 2020/2021, she was not particularly prominent and invaluable at Chelsea last season. In several international matches, she did not stand out significantly either.
At the same time, leadership qualities and attitude should be compared, “Magda” is difficult to beat. Weak or not, she reads football in a way that far from everyone has a chance to do, she is strong in the air, good head on and generally willing to move forward. In addition, Gerhardsson and Wakeman have given the defender so much confidence that the starting place – regardless of whether it is in the middle locking area or to the left – is more than likely from a place on the bench.
metrics fail
It would be exciting to allow Natalie Bjorn to have more chances in her favorite position. On the other hand, she was richer in the WSL season and her passing ability behind a few crosses was promising against the Netherlands.
To play with the idea that Lina Hurtig also managed to blend into the starting line-up despite the return of Blackstenius. Are the eleven then not crowded enough of competent key players?
The counterargument, of course, is that strong offensive stances in Sweden are a very important weapon and that Ilestedt’s qualities are required.
Switzerland is far from short, which can pose a threat even to a defensive fast. On the other hand, Ilestedt’s teammate at PSG, Ramona Bachmann, is at least obnoxious in depth and has hinted that she was “Information to pass on to teammates about some Swedish players”.
The scales dangle back and forth.
But if you want another player that turns well to the right with a ball against a (supposedly) flu-infested and low defense, Natalie Björn will probably be the favourite.
What weighs heaviest according to the league captain remains to be seen.
Bramal Lane is waiting again. For the evening to be successful, Sweden better not concede one goal – but above all, it’s time for the goal.
