Sweden's men's national team gathered in Stockholm on Monday for four Nations League matches in 11 days, starting against Romania at the national arena in Solna.
When national team coach Graham Potter, who took over last fall after Jon Dahl Tomasson was fired, held an introductory press conference at the players' hotel in Östermalm, he seemed a little irritated by certain questions.
"Sports-based decisions"
For example, when Hugo Larsson and Williot Swedberg came up for discussion. The duo were only called up after injuries and were already a topic of conversation ahead of this summer's World Cup, which they were not selected for.
"I think I explained it pretty well. Whether people then choose to listen to that explanation is another matter," says the Englishman and continues:
But those were sporting decisions. Both guys were very close to the World Cup.
He was also asked about the defence. Sweden has never kept a clean sheet during Potter's ten international matches and has conceded 23 goals in those.
If you concede three or five goals in a game you can't win. So that's something we have to improve. The obvious thing is that we have to defend better.
Potter says it's about finding a balance between attack and defence, but that it's not always easy in practice.
It sounds like everything is negative. Like nothing is positive. But when I talk to fans they are very positive. It's just here (with the journalists) that it's not so positive.
“Ask critical questions”
Later during the press conference, he was given an opportunity to develop his thoughts on journalism.
I understand that it is your job to ask critical questions. At the same time, my reflection on journalism can sometimes be that there is also a responsibility to listen, to plan, to analyze and to think too. There are two sides to that. We live in a culture with a lot of opinions but then you also have a responsibility. Then I have no problem with negative questions.
With four Nations League matches during the campaign, it will be tough for stars like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres to play all 360 minutes plus extras, says Potter.
However, he has not planned any rotation in the squad.
"We want to play the best teams possible. These are important games. We want to win games and we understand the consequences if we win or not," Potter said.
Sweden plays in the B division together with Romania, Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The winner is moved up to the A division and the fourth place is moved down to the C division.
For second and third place, promotion/relegation matches await in March 2027.
Sweden's matches:
September 25: Sweden–Romania 8:45 p.m. at Strawberry Arena in Solna.
September 28: Sweden–Poland 8:45 p.m. at Strawberry Arena in Solna.
October 2: Bosnia-Herzegovina-Sweden 20.45 at the Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica.
October 5: Romania–Sweden 8:45 p.m. at The National Arena in Bucharest.
November 14: Sweden–Bosnia-Herzegovina 8:45 p.m. at Strawberry Arena in Solna.
17 November: Poland–Sweden 20.45 at Tarczyński Arena in Wroclaw.
Source: Swedish Football Association.
