It was depressing players who stepped off the plane after the loss in Athens.
It was not just the result that went against the Swedish team, they thought they had both the opponents and the referee against them.
– Hopefully we can use our experience of what they did in Athens and made us get frustrated, they also somehow managed to get the judge not to add time, says Emil Forsberg.
That Swedish players will delay the game as much as possible if you take the lead is no secret.
– You have to do it a little smart all the time. We can do it our way, but first and foremost we must score goals, says Forsberg.
Forsberg points out goalkeeper Robin Olsen as one of those who can act as a game destroyer.
– No I do not think so. But if we lead at the end of the match, you do not need to stress. Everything to win the match, says Robin Olsen with a smile.
The away loss to Greece stings.
– We must not become passive again and give them too much space to play ball, then it will be difficult. It is important that we are aggressive, step up in the press and win close matches, if we do that we have good chances, says Forsberg.
– There were no Swedish happy faces in Athens.
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer / TT
Emil Forsberg is with his 14 national team goals up at the same level as former midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg.
Forsberg is now mentioned as a hot candidate for the Golden Ball.
– When you are associated with such names, it indicates that you have done something good. It is not something you expected when you started playing football, but it is something that happens. That means you have done good things.
But he says he has no thoughts about the Golden Ball.
– The Golden Ball is the Golden Ball and nothing I can influence. I play my football and have fun, then we’ll see. It is clear that it would have meant a lot, it is a price that many want.
Robin Olsen played together with Emil Forsberg in Malmö FF. Olsen sees a big change in Forsberg’s game.
– That development had not been seen coming, Olsen says at the same time as Forsberg turns his head away and does not seem to want to hear Olsen’s comment.
– Just like against Kosovo, the Friends arena looks to be full. “It’s our castle.”
Photo: Emma Wallskog / Bildbyrån
Greece sees the match against Sweden as a battle they must win.
– It is a good team we meet, we noticed that in Athens. If we have the same attitude as against Kosovo, we will win the match. We have to do our job one hundred percent and at the same time have fun out there when we hopefully get to play in front of a packed Friends again. We must take that opportunity, says Forsberg, who turns 30 on 23 October.
After Saturday’s victory at home against Kosovo, the players have trained lightly, rested and had a review of the Greek game.
– It feels really good, not least after one 3–0-seger most recently, says Forsberg.
On Tuesday night, players will be greeted by a packed Friends arena.
– We have made it our home in some way, it is our castle. We love to win in front of our fans, playing here gives a kind of security. You get extra energy and a state of motivation, says Forsberg.
Against Kosovo showed he way by making 1-0 on a penalty kick.
– Getting the chance to hit the penalty kick in front of the yellow wall becomes a different type of feeling. It gives a kick, you become more connected. We will use the audience as our twelfth man.
The grass at Friends arena continues to receive criticism. But Emil Forsberg does not want to be too harsh.
– It is football and the same for both teams. You can not predict a bounce, it is not something you expect. We are a little more used to how the ball rolls. I have played on worse plans, says Forsberg.