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Dejan Kulusevski made his second match from the start and received much praise for his efforts after the match against Croatia. He himself was disappointed by the 1-2 loss, but was still happy for Janne Andersson’s confidence and for being the best team in the second half.
– We came out as a better team in the second half. But we have to start like this from the beginning, he says.
How difficult is it to get started right away?
– But Croatia is also very good and has one of the best midfielders in the world with fantastic players. It takes time to get hold of your players. It’s not as easy as you think to get into it right away, but it clearly shouldn’t take 45 minutes, it’s too long.
Second game from the beginning in the national team, how do you think you got into it?
– I felt good today, and also against Portugal. It takes time with new players and a new system. But in the second half of today I felt really good. But it is clear that I am disappointed, I want to score goals and assists and I want to win the game. But today it didn’t work. But I’m still happy and positive and it feels good.
Left-back Dario Melnjak praised you after the match, did you feel you had an advantage?
– As soon as I arrived for the first time, it was an immediate advantage. It felt good. But then he got help and it was two against one. So it wasn’t that easy. He gave me a good game.
You wanted a penalty after going around the edge and hitting the ball, how do you see that situation?
– Clear punishment every day of the week. No doubt about it. It is an open goal and he takes his hand. But he was wrong in the game. It was a 100 percent penalty. But we all make mistakes, that’s what happens. I’ll forget about it tomorrow.
You said you lacked courage in the first half, do you need to bring that mentality to the team?
– Yes, and we tried. We entered with good energy, but some forget that we are against Croatia. It is a team that finished second in the World Cup. Modric… so it’s a great team. It’s not that simple, but absolutely, we need more energy. Maybe he’ll come in with a tackle or do some other good thing. Let’s push ourselves a little more. But we will become that. There are still new players. It will take time, but it will be cruel.
In the club team you spend a lot of time together, but it is less time together in the national team. Is there a difference between playing for a club and for high-level national teams?
– There is an absolute difference. Now I had a training session and then it was a match right away. It is as it is and only to accept. It’s football, you try to do what you are good at. But it’s a bit more difficult in the national team because at the club we meet every day and everyone knows exactly what to do. We do it very well here and the coaches are very clear about what you want from us. It will only get better and better and a lot easier for me the more I play.
You have been abroad for many years, do you feel purely footballing to come home when you go to play with the Swedish national team and model?
– No, it doesn’t feel … so I’ve been in Italy for a long time and most people didn’t know who I was a month ago. It may be a bit strange, but it’s fun to play for the national team.
Kim Källström said that if you hadn’t been allowed to start, Janne would have had a hard time. How do you experience all the talk and hype that has been going on around you?
– Exaggeration and exaggeration, I don’t think there is any exaggeration. So I don’t know what Kim said. But Janne brings out the best team to win the game.
He was on the bench against France, but has started in two consecutive games. Do you feel like you’ve made Janne’s starting eleven?
– It feels good. I think it felt good in the last collection too. It takes time, but it is clear that it is nice to play two games in a row and 90 minutes today. It’s great because you have to be comfortable. It took time in Parma, it took time also in Juventus. It will take time everywhere. I hope the next game feels even better.
You have lost three games in a row now, do you feel abandoned in the team?
– It’s France, Portugal and Croatia. It is said alone. These are the three best national teams in the world. We do our best, since we do not win, there are no problems. We do our best and when it comes to the European Championship, I am very sure that we are more prepared than we are now. You must not forget that. Sure, we lost, but today we didn’t deserve to lose. We were better during the second half. But we learn, okay. We lost and nobody wants to do that, but we are positive and we see what steps we take. We see what football we play today.
What does it mean to you that you joined the squad yesterday and start today?
– Confidence is important to everyone and it is clear that I will be happy. That means you believe in me and see that I’m ready to go. I am happy. It is trust. That is good. I will continue to show that I belong to the starting eleven.
