An inexperienced and young Swedish team got the chance from the start in the World Cup qualifying opener against Italy on Tuesday, and they won 1–0.
Head coach Tony Gustavsson therefore chooses to stick with the exact same starting lineup when the World Cup qualifiers continue today in Serbia, in Stara Pazova, immediately north of the capital Belgrade.
Sweden starting eleven
Sweden (4–3–3): Jennifer Falk – Smilla Holmberg, Bella Andersson, Elma Junttila Nelhage, Hanna Lundkvist – Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani, Julia Zigiotti Olme – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Felicia Schröder, Monica Jusu Bah.
Substitutes: Moa Öhman (GK), Tove Enblom (GK), Amanda Nildén, Sofia Reidy, Matilda Vinberg, Evelyn Ijeh, Rosa Kafaji, Stina Blackstenius, Hanna Wijk, Fridolina Rolfö, Hanna Bennison, Rebecka Blomqvist.
Big win last time
The last time the teams met was the European Championship playoffs in the fall of 2024. Then Sweden won 2–0 away from home and 6–0 at home, but Tony Gustavsson doesn't think it will come so easily today.
"The players who met Serbia away then have been very aware of how difficult that match was. It will be a very tough away match," Gustavsson said at yesterday's press conference.
While Sweden began World Cup qualifying with a win, Serbia lost its away match to Denmark 1–3.
"In the second half against Denmark they controlled the play and it was 2–1 for a long time. They have the ball a lot, are very loyal in their 4–3–3 and in their organisation. They are also very hard workers and play defensive games. We must be humble in putting in that hard work."
Serbia–Sweden starts at 16:00.
