Viktor Johansson comments on Robin Olsen's national team departure
Robin Olsen has chosen to leave the Swedish national football team after being benched as first-choice goalkeeper by coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. Viktor Johansson, now taking over the role, focuses on football and avoids interfering in the conflict. The team prepares for World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo.
The Swedish men's national football team has gathered for the World Cup qualifiers after a failed September camp where Blågult earned just one point from two matches: 2–2 against Slovenia and a loss to Kosovo. Amid this drama, goalkeeper Robin Olsen chose to decline the national team after coach Jon Dahl Tomasson informed him he was benched in favor of Viktor Johansson from Stoke City.
Tomasson has harshly criticized Olsen, stating he betrayed his teammates. Olsen, in turn, called Tomasson a leader he does not want to work under. Johansson, 27, does not feel betrayed by Olsen's decision. “What Jon says stands for Jon, and what Robin says stands for Robin. I won't interfere,” Johansson tells SVT Sport. He describes Olsen's departure as “very sad” and notes that Noel Törnqvist has filled the gap as a skilled and positive goalkeeper.
Johansson gets his big chance as Sweden faces Switzerland on Friday at Nationalarenan in Solna, followed by Kosovo on Monday at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg. Despite personal challenges—his fiancée is heavily pregnant with three weeks to go—he is supported at home and focuses on the matches. “I am here to focus on football,” he tells DN.
Other players are also reacting to the tense atmosphere. Ken Sema, who started the World Cup qualifiers on the bench despite a hat-trick in the rehearsal against Algeria, is disappointed but positive after talks with Tomasson. “Of course one is disappointed when not playing. But now it feels better because I've played more and am in good form,” Sema says. Tomasson urges critics like Olsen and former player Behrang Safari to “look at themselves in the mirror” instead of questioning his leadership.