The national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson was critical of the collective defense game against Azerbaijan on Thursday.
One should not ignore that it was not good enough, says Hien.
One often talks about building a team from the back. With Dahl Tomasson, it's almost the opposite. Or?
Good question. I don't know. I haven't really felt from the inside that it's like that, if I'm being honest. It may be perceived that way from the outside, and it's not so strange considering the players we have up front.
Waiting for the full hit
It's easy to talk a lot about the offense with such good players, says Hien.
He himself thinks that he, despite 13 national team matches, has not yet reached the level he shows in the club team Atalanta in Serie A.
I've had better national team matches and less good national team matches, but not one where I feel I've reached the level I've reached in the club team. It's a bit frustrating, but I hope it comes soon, he says.
In Victor Nilsson Lindelöf's absence, Isak Hien will take on a greater responsibility in central defense.
That's how it is. I think I've played with him in almost every match in the national team. He's been around for a long time and it's natural that he becomes the leader in the backline. When he's not there, it's different.
"A bit of luck in misfortune"
I'll take on that role and it's special. It's something I feel I want to develop. It's fun in that way and a bit of luck in misfortune that I get the chance to work on that part.
Do you enjoy the leadership role?
Hard to say. It's so new and not a role I've had, neither in club nor national team in my career. Often I've played with someone who is more experienced and has more experience.
This time it happened a bit by chance, but it happens naturally and it's not something I need to think about.
It comes automatically, says Isak Hien.
Corrected: In an earlier version, the wrong club team was stated for Isak Hien.
