Sweden announced their official squad for the Euros last month on 19th May. Coach Janne Andersson took charge of the Swedish national team after their disappointment in Euro 2016 and now will be leading them to Euro 2020. Sweden's record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic came out of international retirement on the backend of 2016 tournament to feature in this edition. However, his recent injury problems prevent him altogether from making his holy return to the side.
Sweden UEFA Euro 2020 Squad :
Goalkeepers: Karl-Johan Johnsson (København), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Gençlerbirliği), Robin Olsen (Everton)
Defenders: Emil Krafth (Newcastle United), Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United), Marcus Danielson (Dalian Yifang), Martin Olsson (Häcken), Ludwig Augustinsson (Werder Bremen), Pontus Jansson (Brentford), Filip Helander (Rangers), Mikael Lustig (AIK), Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborg)
Midfielders: Emil Forsberg (Leipzig), Ken Sema (Watford), Viktor Claesson (Krasnodar), Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus), Sebastian Larsson (AIK), Albin Ekdal (Sampdoria), Kristoffer Olsson (Krasnodar), Jens-Lys Cajuste (Midtjylland), Mattias Svanberg (Bologna), Gustav Svensson (Guangzhou)
Forwards: Marcus Berg (Krasnodar), Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad), Robin Quaison (Mainz), Jordan Larsson (Spartak Moskva)
Key Player: Victor Lindelof
With Ibrahimovic missing out, the team needs a leader on the pitch. None better than Victor Lindelof can establish himself in the role of a commander. The Manchester United center back is not the greatest in his position but can offer stability from the back. A side like Sweden needs a disciplinary defense to compete against top oppositions in the Euros. So, Victor must assure his presence on the pitch and maintain it throughout ninety minutes. He won't be having the comfort seat in his club level with Harry Maguire his partner but Pontus Janssen or 2016 Euro hero Granqvist aren't novices. The latter has aged a lot and probably won't be starting so responsibilities rest on Lindelof's shoulders. In addition to that, this is his platform to declare his want of being a mainstay in the United backline
for more seasons to come.
Strength (Midfield) :
The strength of the Swedish national team lies predominantly in the midfield region. RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg wants to make the Euro a turning point in his once shining career and replicate his rich club form at the tail end of the season. His perspective vision will allow Marcus Berg and Alexander Isak to thrive in the final third. Albin Ekdal can still do the box to box duty with his old legs while Sebastian Larsson has been his partner for years now. They are joined by Juventus's prodigy, Dejan Kulusevski who is a talented playmaker. Under Pirlo's management in a turmoil period at the club, he was often shifted to a different position other than left-wing or number ten in which he really excels. In national colors, he will be available to play in his preferred position and display his promising talent.
Weakness (Latter stages) :
The issue of Sweden is similar to Switzerland. They also lack the right knowledge to get past the latter stages of the competition. The track record of the national team is also poor with facing group stage elimination in the last three Euros, finishing bottom in the last two. They choke against strong opposition and those disappointing results came even with Ibrahimovic on the side. Sweden springs delightful results but can also lose footing in games in which they have the upper hand to dominate.
But Andersson's tenure as Sweden coach has been productive. The Blue and Yellows did well in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, reaching the quarter final stages in being one of the sides to watch out for in the tournament. Sweden are hoping to transcend the same in this season's Euros and break the curse of group stage elimination.
To check regular updates stay tuned to Euro 2020
