I'm one of the few Italians that gives a ******** about the line ups and tactics from our opponents, cause I think 4/6 is the max. we can get against Denmark and Sweden I saw a decent Denmark against Spain with a strong Graversen and a good Att.Mid. C. Jensen (didn't know him) and some say they played 4-3-3 but a 4-5-1 is closer to the truth as I believe Denmark without Graversen is whole other Denmark, I would gave money to saw them the 1st period against Croatia! so is there a local that can give some info about that game? will Jorgensen be ready? when is Olsen gonna reveal his starting 11? Sweden: I saw them against England with a weak Svensson and a fresh playing Wilhelmson. What is the role of Ljungberg in Sweden? is he really the vacuum cleaner behind the playmaker Svensson or Kallstrom? cause I think he's at his best when he comes between the strikers like Scholes with ManU. and how was the game against Poland with monuments like Lucic, Mjallby and Svensson on the bench and if you guys have questions about the Azzurri, shoot!
Wilhelmsson has done really well for himself, and although he's somewhat a late addition he's become a fan favorite. He's quick and not without finesse either. I don't know whether he'll start. L-T (the coaches) seem to value Nilsson's defensive capabilities higher and their first priority is always the defence. Ljungberg is supposedly the left "tip" of Sweden's diamond midfield, where he hasn't quite lived up to expectations. It's one of the reasons that Swedish fans - me included - have long questioned L-T's use of the diamond. Ljungberg fought well in WC 2002, but he's more defensive in the NT than in Arsenal. Judging from the Poland match, he'll likely gravitate towards the center and attempt to go on a few of his trademark rushes. Things haven't really clicked for him yet, though he can rise to the occasion like he's done before. Sweden played pretty well on Saturday and better than against England, but Poland was disinterested and it showed. Sweden controlled the play, they ran a lot and created many good chances. Källström hit a fine corner kick to set up the second goal, but otherwise he didn't participate in the play as much as expected. By the way, neither did A Svensson when he was substituted in. Svensson was disappointing v Finland as well, so Källström is probably narrowly the first choice considering L-T find it unthinkable to have both on at the same time for some reason (it's that defensive thinking again). Edman was one of the better players while Linderoth was mostly invisible. Both Larsson and Ibrahimovic showed good form and will. Allbäck scored again to show he'll make a wonderful substitute. Lucic will probably start, but I feel Östlund showed that he's just as good, if not better in that same position. In any case, right back is not Sweden's strong point. Mjällby is still not up to form. He's always been slow but now he's lacking in positioning as well. Luckily, Mellberg has had some time to take over and Mellberg & Jakobsson are IMHO infinitely better than Mjällby now. Hansson would even be my third choice, but I fear our dear coaches don't agree.
I thought we played well against Poland, alot of chances were created. Concerning Ljungberg's role, i dont mind him in a more defensive role. What can i say, i think his role in Arsenal is pretty pointless and i dont like the way he's used. I dont want him in a more offensive role. Frankly Wilhelmsson and Källström are much more talanted techniqually than him, giving someone an offensive role only due his runs into the box seems pretty pointless to me. He didnt play great, still and yet...its frigging sad but he's our best ballwinner , defensivly our midfield yesterday was a MAJOR improvement compared to previous games. And Ljungberg isnt just good with his runs into the box but his off ball movement at a whole. He just overall makes the midfield much more flexible, moveable and not the least, he drags some attention to him [perhaps undeserved seeing how Wilhelmsson is putting him in shame with his recent performances] Besides, he still made some nice runs into the box, for an example that time when he instead opted for a pass to Larsson even if he was alone with the keeper. [cant remember if he was whistled offside or not, he clearly was ONSIDE anyway. A simply superb pass by Wilhelmsson to find Ljungberg either way] But he still should realise that he isnt a star in this team and play way more simple more suited to his more restricted talent Wilhelmsson, Edman and not the least Jakobsson were the best players for me. Specially liked Jakobsson top class ball distribution from the defence, cant say enough how underated this aspect is for a central defender, atleast in sweden.
Well....personally I am very uncertain about what the danish side will look like in our opening game vs. Italy. What we learned from the 1st half of the Croatia match was how not to play. CD Rene Henriksen has been declared a weak link by many experts and by now Im starting to agree. By now I doubt even Olsen knows which tactic we will use From the info I can gather it is uncertain whether Jorgensen will be ready vs. Italy. And I dont think we will know Olsen's starting elleven till theyre on the field.