A qualifying match for Euro 2025 is scheduled to take place between Sweden and the Republic of Ireland at Stockholm’s Friends Arena, kicking off at 5:30pm Irish time. This match draws notable contrasts to the previous tie held two years back in Gothenburg where a stellar performance by the Irish team resulted in a 1-1 draw, laying a strong foundation towards World Cup qualification. Notwithstanding, the squad has witnessed several transformations since then, making that game scarcely proportionate to the impending face-off.
Despite these changes, the Irish team’s coach, Eileen Gleeson, ardently wishes for a reinvigoration of the 2022 team’s tenacity to enhance the team’s performance in the Euro 2025 qualifier. Coinciding with Gleeson’s 52nd birthday, the squad reported being in peak physical condition for the match, allaying any concerns regarding captain Katie McCabe’s fitness following a hamstring concern during the recent 3-0 loss to Stockholm in Dublin. Furthermore, Ruesha Littlejohn, who missed the previous game due to an ankle complication, is now fit and could potentially strengthen the midfield.
However, concerns have been mounting over the team’s persisting difficulty in securing goals – a predicament evident even during the tenure of their former manager, Vera Pauw. Gleeson, recognising the severity of the situation, notes that this is the inaugural qualifying series where all contenders share high Fifa rankings, eliminating any chances of an easy win. Therefore, problem-solving approaches need to be as challenging as the opponent.
Previously, the degree of competition faced varied lightly, but now the team has to confront three of the top six ranked sides globally. It’s necessary to handle this through a gradual approach, as quick outcomes aren’t guaranteed and they are constantly the underdogs. People with extensive football knowledge understand this, while those without might be excessively critical. However, acknowledging the strength of the opposition and their own level is crucial – it’s a reality that cannot be ignored.
Gleeson’s quandary is that her squad showed their most proficient play in the group to date on Friday, gaining more control against their rivals and creating a number of opportunities – yet, they endured their largest loss. Whether she’s sufficiently brave to play with two forwards again, as she did on Friday when Amber Barrett joined Kyra Carusa, is yet to be determined.
She also has other squad selection issues to attend to, such as deciding to position Megan Campbell on the left of the defence and pushing McCabe further upfield. Even though her throw-ins may not be the most complex of tactics, they wreak havoc on opponent defences.
There’s a possible temptation to move Jess Ziu further up considering her outstanding offensive performance as left wing-back on Friday, though, Gleeson may hesitate to shift her from that role. Players including Littlejohn, Aoife Mannion, Tyler Toland, Lucy Quinn and Izzy Atkinson are ready if Gleeson chooses to mix things up. During her 11-match management so far, she’s rotated through 29 players, showing her openness to change.
She’s hoping, however, that the pitch is in a better state than what she encountered on Monday. While the Aviva Stadium’s surface was praised by the Swedish players last week, the Friends Arena’s ground has been heavily used due to the 178,679 fans who attended Taylor Swift’s three concerts at the location between the 17th and 19th of May – with the third concert amassing 60,243 attendees, a record for the stadium.
Peg Parnevik, a Swedish-American singer, may not have reached the heights of fame equivalent to Taylor Swift yet, but she will be gracing Tuesday’s game with her half-time performance. Her father, Jesper, is a well-known figure amongst golf enthusiasts. As of Monday afternoon, 21,000 seats had been claimed for the event.
Sweden’s team is facing one injury-related issue with Nathalie Björn, a defender from Chelsea. She had to drop out during the mid-game break on Friday due to a muscle injury. However, team manager Peter Gerhardsson states that his team overall is healthy and ready to play.
As the evening advances, England, the reigning European champions, will attempt to reclaim their drive after facing a loss against France at St James’ Park, with a score of 2-1 on a previous Friday. Interestingly, England’s solitary victory in the group so far, succeeded in Dublin against Ireland in April. It was, however, wedged between a home draw with Sweden and defeat from France. An interesting battle is shaping for the top two automatic qualifying positions for Euro 2025 in Switzerland, a contest that, unfortunately, does not see Ireland as a participant.