European Championship
Jun 23, 2021 5.00pm
3
2
HT : 1 0
FT Aviva Stadium
  • Emil Forsberg 2' goal
  • Marcus Danielsson 10' yellowcard
  • Emil Forsberg 59' goal
  • Viktor Claesson 90'+4' goal
  • goal Robert Lewandowski 61'
  • yellowcard Grzegorz Krychowiak 74'
  • yellowcard Kamil Glik 83'
  • goal Robert Lewandowski 84'

How Sweden could line up against Poland

How Sweden could line up against Poland

Two typically gritty displays in the opening week of Euro 2020 mean that, with a draw against Poland, Group E leaders Sweden would be guaranteed to make the knockout phase of a European Championship for the first time since reaching the last eight in 2004.

To complete the job in hand, they have an almost fully fit squad to call upon, so coach Janne Andersson has some interesting selection calls to make ahead of Wednesday's game.

Though it was all-action midfielder Emil Forsberg who dispatched the winning penalty against Slovakia last time out, substitute Robin Quaison also played a key part in Sweden's hard-fought win, by earning that spot-kick not long after coming off the bench.

His lively cameos have now led to increasing calls for Andersson to drop experienced centre-forward Marcus Berg and select the talented Mainz man instead.

Quaison seems set to win the contest to partner Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, who was named UEFA's 'Star of the Match' versus Slovakia after previously sparkling in the defensive dogfight against Spain. So far, Isak has handled the challenge of deputising for Sweden's absent talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic admirably, so will be expected to shine once again in St Petersburg.

Two other contenders to liven up the Swedes - Italy-based pair Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg - were cleared to return to action following a spell in quarantine last week, so will expect to earn some minutes in the second half.

Andersson's starting side has been unchanged so far though, so the first XI should remain very similar again this week - with the generally cautious coach sticking to his tried and tested 4-4-2 formation. An ever-present at the heart of that midfield four, Albin Ekdal did not take part in full training on Monday as a precaution, but is still set to start.

Meanwhile, both defender Mikael Lustig and central midfielder Kristoffer Olsson would miss an upcoming last-16 tie should they receive a booking, so are candidates to be withdrawn early on if progress looks assured.

Sweden possible starting lineup: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson; S. Larsson, Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Isak, Berg

> Click here to see how Poland could line up for Wednesday's Group E game

POLL
Who will win Wednesday's European Championship clash between Sweden and Poland?
Sweden 47%
Draw 23%
Poland 30%
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe