Self-critical Jordan Larsson after A-team’s real debut

Of: Michael Wagner

Published: 08 October 2020 at 22.12

For Jordan Larsson, 23, it was a dream come true, playing for the Swedish national team A for real.

But he was harsh in criticizing himself:

– I didn’t do enough when I had the ball, he says.

After three international matches related to the Blue and Yellow tournaments in January, it was time for Jordan Larsson to finally get a chance at the A national team.

He had the opportunity at home in Moscow, he succeeds at Spartak Moscow on a daily basis, but in the arena of his archrival CSKA in front of 2,000 spectators.

Sweden beat Russia 2-1 after a goal from Alexander Isak with a header from a free kick and right-back Mattias Johansson with a shot that was controlled on goal by a Russian leg.

Self-critical Larsson

Otherwise, there were few chances for Sweden and Jordan Larsson, who was self-critical in interviews with Swedish media after the match:

– In the first part we only hit long balls, we did not start with any real game.

– In the second half he improved. I had some situations when I tried to contact Robin Quaison. I didn’t have much of the ball and I didn’t do enough when I had it.

– My effort was completely fine, but no more, says Jordan Larsson.

He believes that the Swedish game improved in the second half when Kristoffer Olsson entered central midfield.

– Then we started some more games.

Photo: JOEL MARKLUND / BILDBYRÅN

Jordan Larsson.

But he still states again about his own achievement:

– There were a lot of new players who didn’t play as much together before and there was good stamina. It was the first international match for me and for many others. So it is not so strange that it is not immediately true.

– Of course I could have done more, says the forward.

Dream that came true

The positive for Jordan Larsson? To be able to wear the shirt of the national team.

– It was incredible. I’ve been dreaming about it for a long time. They all want to represent the national team and for me it was an honor, he says and smiles.

Janne Andersson says about Jordan Larsson’s match against Russia:

– Jordan makes a clearly sanctioned effort to be his first real international. He and Alexander Isak both had very few balls to work with in the first half. They were plays too long and the ball too much in the air. It was a thankless task.

– In the second half he arrived with more in the game and then I think he does it well, says the captain of the national team.

Published: 08 October 2020 at 22.12

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