Tony Gustavsson had decided exactly what he was going to say.
It became clear when the coach, who a year ago took over as captain of Sweden's women's soccer team, this week presented his World Cup playoff squad.
Even before the press conference, Gustavsson had developed his thoughts in Expressen. He then repeated the same words, from the podium and in interview after interview:
- There have been too many changes, in too short a time.
It has stormed around the 53-year-old national team captain.
The Swedish women's national team, scarred by injuries and in the midst of a generational change, has only won two out of ten games under Gustavsson's leadership. Last spring, they missed out on a direct spot for the WC 2027 – and now a nerve-wracking playoff awaits.
Sweden has found it desperately difficult to score but all the easier to leak backwards.
Now a pressed Gustavsson faces tough questions - by putting a "solid analysis" on the table.
How self-critical are you?
- I am always self-critical. I think it's healthy, says the union captain to DN.
- But it is also important to stand firm in the things you believe in. So I want to be clear about that now in this self-criticism: that I do not doubt for a second that the direction we have chosen is the right one.
His mission has been crystal clear from day one and still is, he repeats:
- We are going to build a new team through a generational change at the same time as we are going to qualify for the World Cup.
But: he is disappointed that Sweden did not win its World Cup qualifying group, he says, and "takes responsibility for that".
What it all boils down to is this:
- Our analysis is that it has gone too fast, that we have to slow down and focus on the here and now.
Sweden meets Lithuania in the first stage of this autumn's World Cup playoff (October 9 and 13, respectively). In the event of a win, Scotland or the Czech Republic will face off in a directly decisive double-header for a World Cup ticket to Brazil.
On paper, the draw is favorable for the reigning World Cup trio.
But a lot has happened since the 2023 World Cup.
Just in comparison with predecessor Peter Gerhardsson's European Championship squad in 2025, Sweden has lost experience from nearly a thousand international matches, according to Tony Gustavsson's calculation. Several faithful servants have quit, others have been poked, are injured or expecting children.
The national team captain has been forced to start with seven different back lines in ten international matches. Some changes have been forced, he says, while others have been self-selected.
New constellations and relationships, players thrown into unfamiliar positions and too much new information have put the national team in a tough situation.
Now the upcoming collection is about creating clarity.
- We can still build this team, says Tony Gustavsson.
- But in order to qualify for the World Cup and win these matches, we have to learn the lesson that we have to "downsize", simplify and make sure to play the right players in the right positions. Take, for example, "Felicia (Schröder), you're going to play nine," he says, pointing clearly with his whole hand, as if Real Madrid's giant signing was standing in front of him.
- Or four-back line. All eight (selected) backs play in four-back lines in their club teams. Then we will play with a four-back line. So make it easy for the players.
In their eagerness to develop the team, the management staff must not become overambitious, is Gustavsson's new conclusion.
- The amount of changes with new leaders and new players is already gigantic in percentage terms. Then I might not think that you can add a lot of new variants on fixed situations, for example. Or additional new exercises, playing players in unusual positions.
That the squad had difficulty keeping up with all the changes has been read between the lines.
A poked Fridolina Rolfö has been noticeably frustrated. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has not thrived on the "wrong" edge, Julia Zigiotti Olme has talked about a team that has become too long and too vulnerable, while Stina Blackstenius returned to the fact that it was "very new".
From the looks of it, a question has pocked for an answer:
How much do you dare to gamble with a WC place?
- I would never gamble with a Swedish women's national team. Never, says Tony Gustavsson.
- When I fielded a team against Italy in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers, I didn't think "now we're going to test these players and see what will be the best in the World Cup in Brazil". But I play the team that I think has the best chance of winning.
But, he continues, again:
- The amount of information and the amount of changes has made it difficult for the players to perform.
What signaling value does it have for the players that you are now going out with this analysis?
- I hope and believe that this means that they see a strong and steady leadership. Because I think that strong and steady leadership is based on having to reflect and learn.
The national team has sometimes been unrecognizable in the past year. What does that do to a team's identity?
- I feel internally that there is a clear identity. But I understand and have respect for the fact that it can be perceived externally that we don't have it when we don't win matches, the national team captain replies and continues in a typical explanation for him:
- Internally there is clarity. Not least what we stand for in terms of core values as people, to create a safe and inclusive environment. But also that we stand for three key words in our game idea: that we are an aggressive pressing team, a deep-oriented team and a team that is damn good in set situations.
When the national team gathers on Monday, stars Kosovare Asllani (injured), Rytting Kaneryd (injured) and Rolfö (pregnant) are missing. However, center back Nathalie Björn is back and will be named captain.
On Friday, his players will only have one thing in mind, says Tony Gustavsson:
- We will think "Brazil, Brazil, Brazil". We're going to the WC.
