In the Sweden vs Netherlands game, the stakes were always going to be high between two front-runners to take top spot in Group L.
The defeat against the Netherlands came as a blow for Graham Potter’s men on Saturday, June 20, as the Dutch won the match 5-1 to jeopardise Sweden’s position in the group somewhat.
Sweden had won their first match against Tunisia 5-1, but Sweden’s defeat against the Netherlands has made their job difficult, and Sweden head coach Graham Potter will have to address some issues ahead of their next match against Japan, the best Asian team alongside South Korea.
Sweden vs Netherlands: The Swedes’ Problems Exposed By The Free-Shooting Dutch
The Sweden vs Netherlands game exposed some of Sweden’s biggest frailties, as the defence looked very vulnerable, and at least three of the five goals should have easily been prevented.
The Swedish defence looked increasingly vulnerable even while defending relatively innocuous crosses from the flanks.
Both goals scored by Brian Brobbey came from crosses from the flanks, as did Cody Gakpo’s first, each of which should have been intercepted by the defenders.
In addition, in the Sweden vs Netherlands game, the Swedish goalkeeper failed to stop shots from Cody Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville to his near post for the fourth and fifth goals scored by the Dutch.
On the other side of the pitch, Bart Verbruggen, the Netherlands goalkeeper, came up with one good save after another to deny Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Yasin Ayari.
Sweden vs Netherlands: Not Enough Service To The Strikers
The Swedish team started with a 3-5-2 formation, but there was not enough delivery of crosses into the opposition penalty box by their wing-backs. It was a conundrum of sorts for Potter, as a team playing with that formation is supposed to put crosses into the box.
However, the Swedish attacks were formed primarily throughout the centre of the pitch, with Alexander Isak playing a key role in combining with Benjamin Nygren and then providing the final pass to Gyokeres. However, the lack of wing-play forced Potter to switch to a back-four and throw Anthony Elanga in as the right-winger.
After Elanga came on, Sweden looked like a much better team, and he also managed to score the only goal of the match for them. The Newcastle United winger’s performance should make Potter think seriously about including him in the starting XI in the next match.
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Sweden vs Netherlands: Sweden’s Must-Win Game Against Japan
In order to be certain about qualifying from their group, Sweden will have to beat Japan in their next match.
The defeat in the Sweden vs Netherlands game has put them in a tricky position, and the Swedes will have to earn at least a point from their last match to be able to qualify.
However, a victory in their last group match will be in Potter’s mind, as the Swedes will aim to finish second in the group. However, the former Chelsea manager’s job will not be easy, as Japan managed to draw with the Netherlands in their first match.
Unless Potter addresses the issues apparent in Sweden’s defeat against the Netherlands, it is going to be difficult for his team to qualify from their group.
Sweden definitely has the talent, but seems to lack the defensive discipline and variety in attack. It remains to be seen whether Potter is able to address those issues at hand ahead of their next match.
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