Sweden has beaten Denmark in recent meetings, including last year's 6-1 Nations League victory in Stockholm. At the same time, Denmark has not lost since Jakob Michelsen took over as national team coach after the European Championship.
With a partially changed style of play, the already goal-scoring attacking star Pernille Harder has become even more dangerous, notes Tony Gustavsson ahead of Tuesday night's World Cup qualifiers in Gothenburg.
"I'm impressed with the job he's done. They're incredibly well-organized and, whereas they might have wanted to press high in the past, they're very confident with a low defensive line now," he says.
In addition, they are incredibly fast in the transition game, not least with Pernille Harder.
“Tailored role”
Harder, with a past in Linköping, among other places, enjoyed success in both Wolfsburg and Chelsea before she and her Swedish partner Magdalena Eriksson moved to Bayern Munich in 2023.
And while Eriksson retired from the national team last fall, Harder has continued in the Danish team - and is obviously in great shape.
In the recent Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United (5–3 on aggregate), she scored two goals away from home.
"I think Denmark is getting the best out of its best players, the roles they are in. And I think they are finding a tailor-made role for Pernille Harder, who is also getting into the shape of her life," says Tony Gustavsson.
She is as good as can be.
“Discussed within the group”
At the same time, the Swedish players are well aware of the threat from Denmark's attack, with 33-year-old Harder at the forefront.
"It's something we've talked about within the group. She's a very skilled player," says Real Madrid defender Bella Andersson.
It's clear that it will be a challenge, but I think we will solve it as a team.
Elma Junttila Nelhage, who plays for Lyon, agrees.
"She's a very skilled player, so you have to stay close and not give her too much time. Then there are also several other good players, so we all have to be on our toes and aggressive, especially in defense," she says.
