Alexander Isaacs debuted in Newcastle.
In the shadows, Emile Hulme, 22, Spezia and Oliver Zandin, 21, made Toulouse an exciting start in Ligue 1 and Ligue 1 – against Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
– Messi was against me on the field, says Zandin.
Two years ago, Emil Holm was not a regular at IFK Gothenburg.
This spring and early summer, Oliver Zanden came in and out of Elfsburg’s eleven teams.
During Wednesday evening, both of them had to make their first starts spices and in Toulouse league straight Ligue 1.
For the opposition, Juventus was away and Paris Saint-Germain at home. Both Swedes were in the losing teams. Spezia left Turin with a 0-2 loss in the bag. In Toulouse, Neymar, Mbappe and Juan Bernat scored in the guests’ 3-0 win.
Neutral Italian star
However, the two Swedes almost had a hard time finding words and understanding what they went through when they spoke to Sportbladet well after midnight when it became Thursday’s football night.
– To be able to play from the start in Serie A was a dream come true – and to be able to do that against Juventus as well, says Emil Holm, who has been on the field for 85 minutes.
– I had Moise Kean against me, but he went out in the 54th minute so I think I closed it well. Right-back Holm says, We coded the game but we stand up really well as a team.
How do you see your development?
– I think I have already taken steps now if compared to when I came here. I can handle the rhythm better, but I have many details that I need to improve in the game of positioning, to avoid losing the ball.
– I didn’t think I’d play this early. It’s so much fun and a sign that the coach loves my performance.
On Jan Anderson’s radar?
Holm is now well past his age for the Under-21 squad, having been a regular in the starting line-up for the past year.
Should Jan Anderson have an extra eye?
– Yes, I think so if you play that way. I’ll be modest about this step, but if I continue down this path, I should at least be in the conversation.
The experience was special for Emil Holm. Oliver Zanden’s move on Wednesday night was even bigger.
1.5 months ago, he was substituted in the 58th minute in Elfsburg’s 2-2 draw against AEK. It became even more crowded on Borås’ left wing when Niklas Hoult moved home.
French Toulouse signed talented left-back Zandin.
Last night, the 21-year-old made his home debut against Paris Saint-Germain.
– It was magical to try this. I’d be lying if I didn’t say being in that player lane is special. It wasn’t long until I started playing at Allsvenskan. It’s almost hard to accept, Zandén tells Sportbladet.
Against him on the field, he had worthy opponents.
– In the beginning was Messi and their right-back Mukele. Then they turned a little. Zandin says Messi, Mbappe and Neymar are leading centrally.
how did you find it?
– He went quickly. It is a good experience to try to understand what is required.
Allsvenskan debuted last fall
Even though we lost, we still played a good match. We stayed close to the match for a long time and even had some chances,” says Zandin, who played for 63 minutes.
– I think it went well for me. I didn’t have much ball because PSG had a lot of possession. I don’t know how many times I touched the ball, but the defense was surprisingly good. I don’t think they passed many times on my edge.
Oliver Zandin made his Elfsborg debut at Allsvenskan last fall and was in the national under-21 squad without playing. Previously, he has six caps for the Under-19 national team.
It is too early to dream of anything else regarding the national team. I focus only on Toulouse. I’ve now taken that first big step, says Oliver Zandin, and now it’s all about establishing myself on that level.