The fixed situations – i.e. free kicks and corners – are an important attacking weapon for Sweden.
Switzerland knew that. But what did it help.
When Sweden received a free kick a little way into the Swiss half just before the break, Kosovare Asllani stepped forward and dotted the area where Magdalena Eriksson only had to appear with her forehead.
“It’s a bit in the back of my mind,” says Asllani.
— Today, Magdalena came in perfectly there. But it’s not just Magdalena who does a good job, we have someone who screens there as well. So there are a lot of players involved that you might not think of.
“Perfect free kick”
In part, it was a trained variant, says Asllani. But it is important to do that too.
“It’s a fantastic ball from “Kosse”, it comes perfectly where I am and then it’s just a matter of getting it on goal, says Magdalena Eriksson.
— It was a perfectly struck free kick.
The free-kick and headed goal gave three important points in the hunt for group ten Spain and the looming Olympic place.
“Must get better”
On the other hand, admits Kosovare Asllani, Sweden should perhaps have scored another goal in the important Nations League meeting.
There are things to work on before the match against Italy on Tuesday, notes the Milan star.
“I think we get around well on the edges, but we have to get better at evaluating the last pass into the goal,” she says.
— Because I think we have players there and we just have to hit the balls in the right area so that we can get to more finishing positions. But we must improve that.