Hear Hugo Larsson’s interview after the poke in the player above.
The day before the group stage meeting with Estonia in the C division of the Nations League, a 20-year-old from Svarte was the focus of the press conference. Almost too much, Jon Dahl Tomasson thought.
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– Talk about the other players as well, including those sitting next to me, says Sweden’s national team captain on the podium and looks to the right at Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak.
“No problem”
The questions were about Hugo Larsson, everyday at the Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. He played two halves in the June training session but was left on the bench in the 3-1 win against Azerbaijan on Thursday. While the other central midfielders – Yasin Ayari, Mattias Svanberg, Lucas Bergvall, Anton Saletros and Jens Cajuste – got playing time.
– I have no problem with Hugo. Sometimes it can be difficult when coaches tell players what they need to improve. But he is young and needs to improve a lot, but it can go quickly, says Dahl Tomasson.
Larsson himself was very disappointed after the poke.
– I expected different after that start in Germany. I have played 90 minutes in every game and scored in two out of three games. I was hoping I’d fly on what I’ve done down there.
Has Jon talked to you about anything during the week?
– He explained to me directly about this thing with the forward passes, he wants to see more of them. We haven’t talked more than that. I’ve fit into every game mode before and I think I’d fit into this as well. Throughout my career I have been told that I am a student as a player and learn from my coaches. It’s sad, it’s Jon who decides, not me.
“Feels as if I have Sweden behind me”
Hugo Larsson has told Dahl Tomasson that he would have appreciated if their conversation had stopped between them.
– I think it should be that way with certain things, but that has not been the case now. It’s Jon’s picture, I see myself in a completely different way. As an incredibly talented player. In Germany I have a coach who sees me in a different way, it’s lucky that that’s where I spend most of my everyday life.
Will there be any game time tomorrow? You don’t sound very hopeful.
– We’ll see, it’s up to Jon. You can ask him.
What do you say about the commotion around you?
– I think it’s a bit nice. It feels as if I have Sweden behind me. It means that I am doing the right thing in the eyes of many.