Tony Gustavsson Plans Major Lineup Changes After 0-4 Loss to Spain
Following a heavy 0-4 loss to Spain, Sweden's coach Tony Gustavsson plans major lineup changes focusing on youth for the Nations League return match in Gothenburg.
- • Tony Gustavsson's debut match ended in a 0-4 defeat to Spain in the Nations League semifinal.
- • Significant changes to Sweden's starting lineup are expected, with youth players like Smilla Holmberg and Elma Junttila-Nelhage set to start.
- • The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday at 19:00 at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, with a focus on development and future World Cup qualifiers.
- • Football expert Hanna Marklund supports lineup changes despite low chances to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Key details
In a tough start to his tenure as head coach, Tony Gustavsson saw the Swedish women's national football team suffer a heavy 0-4 defeat to world number one Spain in the Nations League semifinal first leg in Málaga. With the return leg scheduled for Tuesday at 19:00 at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Gustavsson plans significant changes aimed at integrating younger players and preparing for future competitions including the World Cup qualifiers.
Gustavsson is embracing this challenging situation as an opportunity to test new talent. He emphasized the need for bold decisions, stating, "After a 0-4 loss away, we will do everything we can for 90 minutes and possibly extra time and penalties, but we will also keep an eye on the future." Players like Hammarby defender Smilla Holmberg, who brings a positive attitude, and Elma Junttila-Nelhage, set to make her national team debut, are expected to feature prominently in the next match. Gustavsson added, "We have to take the risk now. It's just to go for it and see if we can get an early goal and make a match out of it."
Expert commentator Hanna Marklund has expressed skepticism about Sweden's chances of overturning the deficit, estimating a 2-3% chance of a comeback, but she also supports the idea of giving youth players valuable experience. Marklund suggests a lineup including goalkeeper Jennifer Falk; defenders Smilla Holmberg, Nathalie Björn, Elma Junttila-Nelhage, and Anna Sandberg; midfielders Filippa Angeldahl, Rosa Kafaji, and Kosovare Asllani; alongside forwards Fridolina Rolfö, Felicia Schröder, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
The first leg was notable for Spain's dominant display under their new coach Sonia Bermúdez, with Barcelona star Alexia Putellas scoring early and Clàudia Pina netting two goals despite Salma Paralluelo's injury. Gustavsson acknowledged the historical difficulty for new Swedish coaches but stressed courage in decision-making must prevail despite external criticism.
With the return match approaching, the Swedish team will aim to push aggressively for goals while providing an invaluable platform for young players, aligning with Gustavsson's long-term vision for the team's development.