Prior to the national football team's World Championship qualifying gathering, the long-time national team goalkeeper Robin Olsen announced that he had done his part for Blågult as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the association captain. Olsen had received the message before the squad selection that he would not be the first choice goalkeeper against Switzerland and Kosovo.
A message that the 35-year-old did not accept.
I am disappointed with Robin's reaction. I think he has betrayed his teammates, said Tomasson when he presented his squad last week.
"Free society"
Now the national team is gathered in Stockholm. Then the association captain got a question about how he viewed that he had previously been in a form of open conflict with other players in the national team. For example, Hugo Larsson and Anthony Elanga.
I think you have to divide the question a bit. Robin is one part. There are many opinions about it. I talked to some players about it, we put it behind us now. We do not put more energy into it, says Tomasson.
The other two players started the last matches, so there are no problems at all.
Last week, the former Malmö FF player Behrang Safari criticized the Dane's leadership. This due to how the then MFF coach Tomasson acted against Safari during his last year in the club.
You can always have opinions, we live in a free society. One thing I can say about my leadership: I am open and honest about what I expect from players.
I am not a coach who looks at names, I always look at performance. Maybe the disappointed players, or even the bitter players, have to look at the (whole) picture and see themselves in the mirror.
He does not take the opinions to heart.
Not at all. It is a part of life, it is a part of my job. If I like to disappoint players? Of course not, but as a coach it is a part of my job.
"Always pressure"
No phone call to Olsen is waiting.
For the time being, I see no reason to talk to him.
Now Viktor Johansson, Stoke, is the first choice between the posts when Switzerland (Friday) and Kosovo (Monday) await in double home matches.
There is always pressure on a goalkeeper. Viktor did very well in the Nations League and it was a close call about who would stand in goal in September. He is a positive guy anyway, which I think will make it easier for him, says Tomasson.
Striker Jordan Larsson, Copenhagen, is injured and misses the gathering. Isac Lidberg, Darmstadt, is called in as a replacement.
After 2-2 against Slovenia and 0-2 against Kosovo, the men's national football team is already five points behind Switzerland in the World Championship qualifying group B.
Next, Switzerland awaits at Strawberry arena on Friday. On Monday, Sweden will face Kosovo at Ullevi in Gothenburg. The World Championship qualifying then ends away against Switzerland (November 15, Geneva) and at home against Slovenia (November 18, Solna).
The first place goes directly to the World Championship in the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026. For second place, a playoff awaits.
The squad, goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Noel Törnqvist, Mjällby.
Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Emil Holm, Bologna, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Ken Sema, Pafos, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga.
Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Roony Bardghji, Barcelona, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Hugo Larsson, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Anton Salétros, AIK, Isac Lidberg, Darmstadt, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Aten, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal.
