Sweden vs Netherlands - Janne Andersson confident new-look Sweden can impress

Posted Monday, September 05, 2016 by PA

A new-look Sweden squad will get their World Cup qualification campaign under way at home to Holland on Tuesday.

Following a disappointing group stage exit at this summer's European Championships, talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the country's all-time top scorer with 62 goals, decided to hang up his boots while experienced goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, defenders Mikael Antonsson and Erik Johansson and midfielders Kim Kallstrom, Pontus Wernbloom and Erkan Zengin have all also decided to retire from international football.

Now head coach Janne Andersson has the challenge of guiding a relatively young and inexperienced group towards qualification for Russia in 2018 from a group that also contains France.

However, Andersson has been satisfied with what he seen during the early stages of Sweden's transition.

"There have been good days," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference. "We have practised the basic structure of how we want to play. We have only driven a little theoretical analysis, running the training and then analyse what we have done in training afterwards.

"I don't have a set starting XI, it is not obvious in this case. There are a number of options to resolve. It becomes clearer the more you hang out with the players. It feels like you take steps forward in the process. But I hope and am confident."

Holland failed to reach Euro 2016 and will be keen to avoid another embarrassing qualification campaign.

Victories over England, Portugal and Austria and a draw against the Republic of Ireland suggested things might be improving but last week's disappointing home defeat to Greece in Eindhoven has piled the pressure back on boss Danny Blind.

After that loss Blind said he would not make too many changes to his starting line up for the trip to Sweden. Jasper Cillessen could replace Jeroen Zoet in goal while Virgil van Dijk might come in for either Jeffrey Bruma or Daley Blind in central defence. Ron Vlaar has suffered an injury in training and will play no part.

"As the manager I must analyse and look at how things can become better," Blind told football-oranje.com.

"The result against Greece does not matter and will have no bearing on the Sweden game and it is my task to reiterate that to my players. It would have been nice to go to Sweden having obtained a good victory but we also have to have the feeling that we want to put something right.

"I am completely convinced that in Sweden on Tuesday you will see a different team. I have previously stated that I would not change the starting line up too much but nevertheless it will not be an identical team."