Anthony Elanga arrived at the European Championship qualifiers with confidence boosted after a fine start to the season at Premier League club Nottingham.
However, the 21-year-old was not allowed to play in the 5–0 victory against Estonia in Tallinn.
And he is not available for the fateful match against Austria at the Friends arena on Tuesday.
Not playable
“He had a slight injury and then we made the decision that he would not be able to play in the match against Austria, and he himself wanted to go home,” says Peter Wettergren, assistant national team captain, and speculates about when Nottingham players contracted the injury.
— He probably got it during training, but I can’t say exactly when.
Sweden also has to do without midfielder Mattias Svanberg.
The Wolfsburg player was not available for the meeting with Estonia as he was due to become a parent.
But there was hope that the 24-year-old would join the home game against Austria.
It won’t be like that.
“Had dialogue”
— He called us early and said that during this period he would become a father. Mattias and Janne have had a dialogue and then the decision was made that he will not come in, says Wettergren.
TT: Do you think it’s too late to bring him in, with such short notice before the game?
— No, it’s more out of respect for Mattias. Private reason.
Sweden’s meeting with Austria is a match of destiny. Blågult needs to win to keep the dream of the EC finals in Germany next summer alive.