Over the weekend, Jon Dahl Tomasson received cancellations from Robin Olsen, Carl Starfelt, and Gustaf Nilsson. On the first day of the Nations League gathering, the national team captain received another one: Eric Smith.
Eric has played well and I have wanted to select him three times... He was disappointed when he called and said he couldn't be there. At the same time, that's how life can be, that's what it's like to be a football player, says Tomasson.
Smith is replaced by Simon Olsson, who plays for Heerenveen.
Alexander Isak, Jens Cajuste, and Mattias Svanberg are also missing.
"We shouldn't lie"
But Tomasson chooses to see what can be called an injury crisis from the bright side.
We shouldn't lie about it bothering us, but I'm a positive person and want to see opportunities. It creates a new dynamic in the squad with new players. That's something I'm looking forward to. We must focus on the players we have here. Injuries are part of football.
In the midst of reporting on injuries, he can give some positive news:
+ Central defender Isak Hien played 90 minutes for Atalanta.
It surprised me that he played, but they suffered a late injury. He's okay, and that's the most important thing.
+ Victor Nilsson Lindelöf's comeback in the Premier League.
It was nice to see that he got 45 minutes as a right-back, considering he hasn't played in a long time.
Under construction
Sweden started the Nations League with wins against Azerbaijan and Estonia. Next up are matches against Slovakia (Friday) and Estonia (Monday) away. Tomasson aims to continue in the same winning streak.
We had a good gathering in September with two wins, six points, six goals, and we saw the offense that the Swedish Football Association wants to see, that I and the players want to see, he says.
Both Slovakia and Sweden have six points after two matches.
We're meeting some of the heroes from the European Championship. There's a reason why Slovakia beat Belgium 1–0, advanced from their group, and reached the quarterfinals if Jude Bellingham hadn't scored the European Championship goal for England in the 97th minute.
We're a team under construction, Slovakia is on top right now. It's important for us to take the next step. We know we're meeting a strong team, but we want to win the match, says Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.
Defenders: Ludwig Augustinsson, Anderlecht, Alex Douglas, Lech Poznan, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lille, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Emil Krafth, Newcastle, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Manchester United, Ken Sema, Watford, Daniel Svensson, FC Nordsjælland.
Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Anthony Elanga, Nottingham, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Aten, Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham, Hugo Larsson, Frankfurt, Sebastian Nanasi, Strasbourg, Hugo Bolin, Malmö FF, Anton Salétros, AIK, Simon Olsson, Heerenveen.
Friday: Slovakia in Bratislava (20.45).
Monday: Estonia in Tallinn (20.45).
16 November: Slovakia at Strawberry arena (20.45)
19 November: Azerbaijan at Strawberry arena (20.45).
Played matches: 3–1 against Azerbaijan, away, and 3–0 against Estonia, home.
