Estonia and Austria are the closest on the schedule – two matches that the men’s national soccer team needs to win to keep the dream of the European Championship playoffs in Germany alive next summer.
It is likely that Sweden will need five wins – out of as many matches – to be in the fight for advancement.
“We need to win these games now, there’s no doubt about that,” said national team captain Janne Andersson in connection with the squad selection at the end of August.
The 60-year-old has previously insisted that he and everyone else in the squad must take things one thing at a time, and he believes the team has the “experience to handle” the difficult task.
— It is a challenge, but certainly not an impossible challenge.
+ Which national teams advance to the EC playoffs?
Germany is already ready for the championship, as the country stands as the organizer. This means that the tournament must be filled with 23 other national teams. The first two from each qualifying group will be ready for the EC, while three will come from the playoff via the Nations League.
+ How does it look for Sweden?
The loss at home to Belgium was perhaps not too unexpected, but the defeat against Austria hit all the harder. With 0–3 Belgium (home), 5–0 Azerbaijan (h) and 0–2 Austria (away), the national team’s situation is under pressure for the rest of the qualifiers.
+ What does Sweden’s schedule look like?
Estonia (b) on Saturday, Austria (h) on 12 September, Belgium (b) on 16 October, Azerbaijan (b) on 16 November and Estonia (h) on 19 November.
+ Sweden’s squad
Goalkeepers: Robin Olsen, Aston Villa, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Viktor Johansson, Rotherham.
Backs: Ludwig Augustinsson, Anderlecht, Isak Hien, Verona, Emil Holm, Atalanta, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Celtic, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Manchester United, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Ken Sema, Watford, Linus Wahlqvist Egnell, Pogon Szczecin.
Midfielder/striker: Jens Cajuste, Napoli, Viktor Claesson, FC Copenhagen, Albin Ekdal, Spezia, Anthony Elanga, Nottingham, Emil Forsberg, Leipzig, Samuel Gustafson, Häcken, Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting Lisbon, Alexander Isak, Newcastle, Jesper Karlsson, Bologna , Jesper Karlström, Lech Poznan, Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham, Kristoffer Olsson, Midtjylland, Robin Quaison, al-Ettifaq, Marcus Rohdén, Karagümrük, Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg.