EXCLUSIVE | Stefan Schwarz: ‘Sweden have the attacking ability to put pressure on the French defence’ | OneFootball

Ahead of tonight’s World Cup Round of 32 tie between France and Sweden, Get French Football News had the opportunity to ask former Sweden international and Arsenal FC midfielder Stefan Schwarz for his thoughts on the match.

Sweden famously had a tough qualification period and their group stage has been mixed (a big win over Tunisia, a big defeat to the Netherlands and a draw with Japan). Do you think the team is in a positive place right now?

I do indeed. I look at the Japan game and Graham Potter showed courage by changing the goalkeeper which is a big decision during a World Cup campaign. Also, the way Sweden came back against Japan was really good, Anthony Elanga especially played well, Victor Lindelöf played in a new position and did it well and as a team, they really all worked hard to get a draw. So yes, a positive place indeed to end the group stage the way they did.

How do Sweden feel about this match? What are their thoughts on the France team?

It’s good to qualify from the group, the opening game was excellent and the draw against Japan likewise. Coming into this game with confidence, they know they will need to play the game of their lives to compete with France. It’s such a tough game, against such a great France team: the best attack, such pace, power, flair, technical ability, strength in depth and quality everywhere. All over the pitch there is so much quality and France have shown brilliance already this tournament, it will be such a tough game for Sweden. But they need everything to go their way to have a chance.

What do you see as being France’s weaknesses?

There aren’t many weaknesses, but for Sweden, they can put pressure on the French defence. That is the way to succeed: to get the ball forward for Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Elanga to use their ability to create chances against this French defence.

This might come down to a fight between two of the potentially best attacks in the world, with Sweden’s three strikers whom you mention vs Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise. Do you think Sweden’s attack has the potential to do some damage?

Yes I do, Gyökeres, Isak and Elanga have shown this tournament they can score goals, they can create chances, they can put pressure on defences. So given the chance, if France’s defence is not at its best, then Sweden have a chance because they have quality in their attack and given a chance, they can create attacks to score.

Do Sweden have any secret weapons whom the French public may not know so well but could make a big difference?

I think Elanga is the one to mention here. He has played well, he is playing with confidence and wants to make an impression in every game he plays, so he would be the one.

What’s your score prediction for the match?

It’s a touch match for Sweden. Everything has to go right. They need to have the game of their lives and France need to have a game where they are not at their best.

But, the best I can see would be a draw in 90 minutes and Sweden can take it to penalties. But, France are big favourites here with their quality.

Stefan Schwarz was speaking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of Scotland Next Manager

GFFN | Jeremy Smith