The national team got a perfect start in the Nations League via the 3–1 win in Baku, Dahl Tomasson became a winner in his debut in a competitive match and the national team saw – highly likely – a future first-choice goalkeeper.
Johansson, soon to be 26, was the big standout player-wise with a string of qualified saves.
Already after three minutes, he saved the national team from a counter-attack goal – and he continued in that style. In added time in the first half, he caught Ramil Sjejdajev's penalty. More parades followed in the swinging match.
Johansson was praised at home on the TV sofas, in the media, and not least by his teammates.
The guys thought I had a good game, but at the same time, I'm standing in goal to make the saves I do and help the team as much as I can.
Talk about a breakthrough in the injured first-choice goalkeeper Robin Olsen's absence. Olsen has got competition, clearly. But more importantly: The day the Scanian says goodbye, there is good coverage.
Time in Alfreton crucial
Johansson left Hammarby for Aston Villa's youth academy as early as 2014 and has taken the so-called long way. Today, he is grateful that he went on loan to amateur club Alfreton Town for a shorter period.
In smaller arenas and physically tough matches, he learned early on to take charge and, as they say, own the penalty area.
It was an incredibly important time in my career. I got to experience playing "real" football. It was banging the ball in and elbowing. It shaped me a lot as a goalkeeper and the one I wanted to become.
There were guys in suits coming after work to play matches. They wanted the win bonus. It meant a lot to them. You got to hear about it if you let in a goal. It was important for me to experience that part of football.
Right place at the right time
Via a few seasons without A-team matches in Leicester, he ended up in Rotherham. There, he established himself. This season, he is a regular in Stoke.
The time in Rotherham is the best, it shaped me as a person. I could work hard, many didn't know who I was. I came to the right place at the right time in my career.
Now, there is hardly any football enthusiast who doesn't know who Viktor Johansson is.
I've dreamed of playing for the national team since I was a kid. I've always had an inner faith and trusted my qualities.
