Sweden won against Slovenia in the Nations League premiere

It was far from crowded at Stadion Stožice in Slovenia, where Sweden started the Nations League with a victory on Thursday night.

The “new Sweden”, which meant partly a changed team, but also a more offensive – but not so trained – way of playing, was really close to taking the lead after only ten minutes when Dejan Kulusevski’s shot with his left foot reached Alexander Isak, who nodded the ball in the post. More chances came – Krisoffer Olsson tried a couple of minutes later on a distance shot, but it went outside.

– As a whole, there were the tendencies I wanted to see, says national team captain Janne Andersson in Viaplay.

– We have a lot to improve, Kulusevski states.

Forsberg’s penalty icy cold

Sweden thus created forward, but all too often became too thin or misplaced when Slovenia won the ball on their own half of the field. The opponents got big gaps and took advantage of these by being quick in the changes – and Robin Olsen, in the end with some irritation for his teammates, had to steer away several Slovenian attacks.

The blue-yellow lead goal finally came after team captain Emil Forsberg was icy cold on penalties and 1-0 to Sweden was a fact shortly before the half-time break.

“A little tentative”

In the second half, it was almost the same show and Sweden mainly defended their lead – but with two minutes left of regular time, it was Kulusevski who on his own shot the ball over the head of Jan Oblak.

– I have not scored so many goals in the national team but I hope to score many more. I’m happy, he says immediately after the match.

The league captain’s summary?

– Overall, a bit tentative, some players who did not play that much together, but it’s great by Dejan, Andersson says.

He continues:

– It’s easy to say when you have won. But it feels like we are a little better than them throughout the match, says national team captain Janne Andersson.

The blue and yellow squad may have suffered another injury break. Carl Starfelt had to be carried out on a stretcher after taking care of the back of the thigh.

Sweden plays in the B-division in the Nations League. Serbia, Slovenia and Norway play in the same group and the team that wins the group qualifies for the A-division.

KLIPP: Emil Forsberg makes 1-0 to Sweden on penalties

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