The last time Sweden met Italy was in the Algarve Cup last year. The match was even and it took penalties to separate the two. Kosovar Asllani, a regular at AC Milan, faces many of the players in Italy on a regular basis and sees a tough game with a lot of fight ahead.
– I’m used to that kind of football. It is a marking-oriented team and it will explode in the duels. They are a physical team that has made a nice development from the EC last year. It’s a whole other level of their game. We are prepared for a physical match. They will be close to us, but it will open up other areas for us. But we never turn down a physical fight.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who last started against South Africa, is on the same track.
– Italy will be tough opposition. They have done well since the EC last year. I think it will be a different match than against South Africa last time. It is important to become clinical in the last third, says Rytting Kaneryd.
The criticism after the victory
Despite Sweden winning the opening match against South Africa, some criticism arose after the match, where Sweden had a very difficult time managing their chances for dangerous situations or goals. Asllani said after the match that “there was something missing in the last third”.
– Normally we have a high level in the last third. But it’s a premiere. We should be more than happy to take three points. South Africa is not a bad team. Then of course we want to use our speed even more behind their backline, that is one of our biggest strengths. I hope we will be able to do it tomorrow, says Asllani.
Above all, the Swedish star Fridolina Rolfö found it difficult to get involved in the game.
– It is important to adapt to the match picture. We created a lot on the right wing, so it’s about trying to get into the box and try to be in the areas the ball can enter. Then we’ll see, but I’ll do everything to find good areas and make myself playable, says Rolfö.
Dream location for Sweden
South Africa’s draw against Argentina on Friday night means that both are on one point each in Group G, which paves the way for Sweden’s dream situation. Victory against Italy means six points and a place in the round of 16. Even a draw means good chances for advancement.