Seeking Revenge After the Debacle: "Triggered and Pushed"

Last year's fiasco in Baku still hurts. Now Mattias Svanberg is seeking revenge against Azerbaijan. We'll try to bring back some memories so that we're triggered and pushed by it, says the midfielder ahead of Sweden's Nations League premiere.

» Published: September 04 2024

Seeking Revenge After the Debacle: "Triggered and Pushed"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

0–1 after three minutes, 0–2 after six, and finally a clear 0–3 loss in the European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan in November last year.

The national team's long journey home from the capital Baku was marked by disappointment, anger, frustration, and tough self-criticism.

Feelings that have not been forgotten.

It's never fun to lose a match like that, says midfielder Mattias Svanberg, who was part of the starting eleven at the Tofiq Bähramov Stadium.

"Take lessons"

Nearly ten months after the debacle, a new match against Azerbaijan in Baku awaits. The 25-year-old is keen on taking revenge.

We can take lessons from that match now that we're going to meet them again, he says.

We'll try to get back, not everything, but some memories, so that you get triggered and pushed by it.

The Wolfsburg player, who is back in the squad after a shoulder operation, says that the national team's play under coach Jon Dahl Tomasson is about controlling matches and being offensive.

It's also about details at the Tofiq Bähramov Stadium.

We should play to our strengths instead of letting the opponent dictate the game image, says Svanberg.

In that way, the victory should be secured in Baku and later in the fall result in a promotion from the C division.

It's a group we should make sure to win.

"Has what it takes"

Carl Starfelt is on the same line as Svanberg. It's "Blågult" that should dictate the terms.

It's just a matter of stepping on the gas and going. Our goal is to win the group, and we feel that we have what it takes to do so, says the center-back.

In Victor Nilsson Lindelöf's absence, Starfelt is well-positioned to grab a spot in the starting eleven. He is fully aware of the defensive problems during the spring training matches.

We understand that when it comes to competitive matches, we need to do better in those parts of the game. We can't concede as many goals (ten) as we have.

What's the difference in playing center-back now compared to under Janne Andersson?

There are big differences, but I think most people appreciate it. We want to play more from the back. Defensively, it's more man-to-man, a bit higher defensive play, protecting areas. We want to attack, win the ball back high. A fun way to play when it works. It's just a matter of working hard and continuing to believe in the idea.

Anders Wallin/TT

Henrik Skiöld/TT

Facts: How the Nations League works

TT

The men's Nations League consists of four divisions, where the best teams play in the A division and the worst in the D division.

Sweden was relegated from the second-highest division in 2022 and now plays in the C division.

The group stage, which determines the outcome, takes place during the fall, and it's about winning the group to be promoted directly to the B division.

The group runner-up gets to play a playoff in a double match (home and away) against a group three from the B division in a battle for play in the second-highest division in the future.

The two worst fourth-placed teams in the C division's four groups are relegated directly to the lowest division. The two best fourth-placed teams get to play a playoff against two group two teams from the D division.

Sweden's matches in the C division:

Thursday: Azerbaijan (away).

Sunday: Estonia (home).

October 11: Slovakia (away).

October 14: Estonia (away).

November 16: Slovakia (home).

November 19: Azerbaijan (home).

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to Secure World Championship Gold

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but Goalkeeper Injury Raises Concerns

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in Allsvenskan Opener

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF
1 MIN READ

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF with Two Goals in Home Opener

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö
2 MIN READ

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö FF After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy
2 MIN READ

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy World Championship Gold

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March
1 MIN READ

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March in Stockholm

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India
1 MIN READ

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India as Dantorp Falls Short

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double Wins in Ski Classics Finale

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole
1 MIN READ

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole Breaks, Ending Race Hopes in Norway

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in World Championship Opener

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines with 14 Points in Miami Win

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career
1 MIN READ

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career High in Detroit's Win Over Boston

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best
1 MIN READ

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best with 17th Place Finish in Boston

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula
1 MIN READ

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula to Win Miami WTA Title

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight
1 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight PGA Tour Battle in Houston

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive,
2 MIN READ

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive, Set to Face Karlskoga in Semifinals

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two Goals in Sporting Lisbon Victory

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory
2 MIN READ

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory with Double Strike in Allsvenskan Opener

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Newcastle Celebrates League Cup Victory with Heroic Isak

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and
1 MIN READ

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and Åhman Fall in World Quarterfinals

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson Clash Over Injury Claims

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling
1 MIN READ

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling 22-Mile Nordenskiöldsloppet Ski Race

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as
1 MIN READ

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as Star Jonathan Dahlén Suffers Injury

Kristoffer Olsson Returns to Sweden
1 MIN READ

Kristoffer Olsson Returns to Sweden After Leaving Midtjylland

Sweden Dominates USA 22-0 to
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates USA 22-0 to Reach Bandy World Championship Final

Färjestad Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive with Crucial Win Over Skellefteå

Malmö FF Triumphs Over Djurgården
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Triumphs Over Djurgården in Allsvenskan Opener

Häcken Faces Second Straight Loss
2 MIN READ

Häcken Faces Second Straight Loss in Women's League Struggles

Mateta Returns from Injury as
1 MIN READ

Mateta Returns from Injury as Crystal Palace Triumphs in FA Cup Derby

Linköping Sports Manager Waives Salary
2 MIN READ

Linköping Sports Manager Waives Salary to Sign Midfielder Talia Gabarra