Sweden coach Janne Andersson has full confidence in his team's straightforward but effective tactics as he prepares his side for a World Cup quarterfinal clash with England today.
Andersson's men are aiming to reach the last four for the first time since 1994 when they finished third in the United States. Sweden's success at this year's tournament has been built on defensive organisation and clinical counter-attacks.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "There was a coach once who said his team was quite easy to analyse but difficult to beat. That is a good description of us," Andersson told reporters on Friday. "It shouldn't be that difficult to get an idea of what we do.
"We are strong in our beliefs and have been from the outset. The players are very loyal to our ideas."
Captain Andreas Granqvist embodies this collective philosophy most of all. The 33-year-old defender has formed a formidable pairing with Manchester United's Victor Lindelof, as well as scoring twice from the penalty spot in Russia.
"We are a team and we do this together, on and off the pitch and this is behind our success so far," said Granqvist. "We might not have the best team on paper or individually, but as a team we are very high achievers and this symbolizes all of us."
One area where the game could be decided is on set-pieces, where both teams excel. "The set piece situation will be a clear factor – for the first time I think we are coming up against a country that is more or less on par with us."
Leave your comments