Why let one good option rule out another?
After learning his lesson at the European Commission, Peter Gerhardsson sent Fridolina Rulfo and Lena Hurtig to the left against Finland.
The WC test was offensively successful, but revealed incomplete details.
Sweden coped with the luxury of preparing for the World Cup as the group winner even before the qualifiers ended. A positive situation that other big teams such as Holland and Italy could not achieve before the September meeting.
With his secured toilet ticket Peter Gerhardson During the days in Gotland before the last qualifying match, I was able to put all my strength, time and energy into the next trip. To venture into Australia and New Zealand next summer.
In terms of the game, many teams have reached new heights during this wonderful summer EC. We’ve seen an increase in intensity, an individual skill combined with strength tactical data.
Virus-hit and mass-affected Sweden has not lifted the European Union. The feeling that, despite the clear breath of air, still gnawed at the threshold of autumn was that blue and yellow playing with the handbrake.
For the water cycle, we want to see a well-equipped Swedish team machine with a gold rim and full braking. The meeting of the Nordic nations on the green roof surrounded by the Tartan Trail in Tampere meant a new beginning. Not just for Sweden.
It wasn’t all peace and joy
If there was now a little headwind in the Swedish faces, it was a complete breaker of the Baltic Sea against the Finnish ones.
Sweden captain Anna Signol came under fire for her leadership in connection with the European Commission setback and left the team in ruins after the tournament.
The new Finland, led by Marco Saloranta, now faces a balanced Sweden in an unparalleled manner.
Because one flaw that Peter Gerhardsson and his radar partner Magnus Wakeman identified before they opened their eyes the day after the heavy and revealing semi-final match against England (0-4) in July was that Lena Hurtig was too precious to wear the bench as she did in five games of The origin of seven matches since the start of the tournament.
Just like Fridolina Rolfö, Lina Hurtig’s features are best enlarged on the left. Against Finland, Gerhardsson chose to start both on the left wing. Rolfö in the winger role, Hurtig in the regular Rolfö role in the attacking trio.
In addition, Olivia Shaw of Rosengård also secured a place in the starting lineup on the right.
The Blue and Yellow attack crew caused Finland’s upside down. As in Barcelona, Rolfö had to start again on the track and was able to challenge quickly. Lina Hurtig was able to advance and shoot as her teammates pressured the Finnish backline with their passes and when the formidable Kosovare Asllani carried on the left one second to go out and win the ball on the right the next day and free Stina Blackstenius at deep. Both were 1-0 and 2-0.
Offensively, the test was good, not least against a Finland positioned, but all was not peace and joy.
Is it Gerhardsson’s first choice?
The squad revealed defensive flaws that Finland had the courage and ability to exploit. When Fridolina Rolfö was hanging high and the mass transfer didn’t work, there were big spaces for the Finns against the Swedish left wing. And there Magdalena Erickson was neglected again. The trend continues from EC for this summer.
When the pressure match upstairs also became uncoordinated, Finnish midfielder Olga Ahtenen was given space and time.
Neglected passing game and a lot of touchdowns that I would attribute to tough legs before the season, but with such a long squad, the challenges that Sejer replacements Ellen Robinson and Philippa Engeldahl face in midfield will be very tough.
Defensively, this wasn’t a match that would hold up against tight matches in a World Cup playoff.
On the other hand, some really excellent points in the 5-0 win were that Gerhardsson’s last 11 gave again. Madeleine Ganouji, Rebecca Blomqvist, and Jonah Anderson added energy and edge.
In the net, Peter Gerhardson chose Jennifer Falk. With Hedvig Lindahl facing national team retirement, the choice is between goalkeeper Häcken and Zisera Mosovic. Falk showed courage, was fast and played very well in a scrolling game. Is she the first choice of a Confederate captain? We’ll probably only get that answer this fall against Spain and France.
Only then will we also know exactly how good Sweden is at the highest level. Meetings with global teams will give an entirely different indication from this somewhat dismissed Finnkampen.
Hence, it is difficult to see Sweden leaning forward.