It had been a kneading from both sides initially, hard duels like both tufts of grass and players to risk and tear. Not much for football, but a sign of the importance of the match for both nations.
Whereupon, as if out of nowhere, Sweden began to play dazzling attacking football, exactly in the style that national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson wants to see.
21-year-old Yasin Ayari has been given repeated confidence in midfield by the Dane – something he duly thanked for at the National Stadium. There has been a lot of talk about Hugo Larsson not being allowed to start in the Nations League, less about Ayari doing it regularly.
And why.
He gave the answers in Bratislava. With his intensity and offensive courage.
The volley rib in
The Premier League pro celebrated his first international goal via a volley, then a tap-in from Dejan Kulusevski – in the form of his life? – steered away. Ayari struck immediately and on instinct. The shot from the right slipped in via goalkeeper Marek Rodak and the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, Ken Sema had to do what Ayari did – celebrate the first goal in the national team.
The left winger kept his guard in front and blocked the return Rodak dropped on Viktor Gyökeres’ finish. The VAR review showed that Sema was onside.
Tomasson stretched both hands in the air. A gesture that said it all. This is how he wants it.
But the defensive weaknesses remain.
In Johansson’s jumble, Slovakia made contact
David Strelec’s reduction shortly before the break is not in the playbook for how to behave defensively. Viktor Johansson missed a pass. In the confusion that arose, Slovakia made contact.
Larsson came in for Ayari and Victor Nilsson Lindelöf for Alex Douglas after just over an hour of play.
The Slovaks pressed, Strelec pushed for 2-2 with 20 intense minutes remaining, with both teams going for the three points.
The Nations League continues for Sweden against Estonia in Tallinn on Monday.