Austria away. That is what awaits Sweden next in the European Championship qualifiers.
Key player Albin Ekdal was back for good when the team gathered for a final training session at Friends Arena.
– My goal is to be able to play, says Albin Ekdal to TV4 Nyheterna.
On Tuesday, Sweden faces Austria in the European Championship qualifier. It’s a real match of fate that awaits since Austria cruised against Belgium last Saturday.
– Of course it’s a pressure. We dropped three points against Belgium so now we have to pick up points. But the feeling is very good with me and in the team, says Dejan Kulusevski, who recently signed a long contract with Tottenham in the Premier League.
On Sunday, the national team did its last practice at the Friends Arena before it was time to head to Vienna. At the time, Football Channel’s columnist Olof Lundh was on site in Solna.
– All 26 players participated and trained. It was also positive that Albin Ekdal did his first full training since he joined the national team, he tells TV4 Nyheterna.
“Up to Janne”
If Albin Ekdal will play from the start against Austria, it is the national team captain Janne Andersson who decides.
– It is up to Janne if he wants me on the field or not, but my goal is to be able to play, says Ekdal to TV4 Nyheterna.
Blågult can only get to the EC in Germany by placing first or second in the EC qualifying group. In addition to Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Azerbaijan and Austria are also in group F.
– There is no way back through the play offs because they did such a bad Nations League, says Olof Lundh, who at the same time believes that the feeling in the team is positive.
– Many of the offensive players are in good shape, he continues.
The match starts at 20.45 on Tuesday.