Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has explained his decision to substitute Tottenham attacking midfielder Lucas Bergvall at half-time of their 1-0 World Cup qualification defeat to Kosovo. After four matches, the Scandinavian nation's hopes of qualifying for next summer's tournament are all but over following a disastrous campaign.
Despite boasting arguably two of the world's best strikers in Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden sit bottom of Group B with just a single point to their name. While Friday's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland was damaging, the embarrassing loss to Kosovo on Monday night is terminal.
Sweden can no longer qualify as group winners and even their hopes of finishing second and earning a play-off spot are now incredibly slim.
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Spurs playmaker Bergvall, who missed an open goal on Friday against Switzerland, started against Kosovo but was hooked at the break.
If any Tottenham supporters were tracking the events in Gothenburg, they would have been concerned that Bergvall had picked up an injury.
But Tomasson has now confirmed the call was purely tactical, stating post-match: "We were down 1-0 and we wanted to change things. In the second half, with the changes we made, I think our formation surprised Kosovo a little bit.
"We created good moments that could have led to goals. Sometimes you have to change things at half-time."
Bergvall himself has also confirmed there were no fitness problems, telling the Swedish media: "No, I'm perfectly healthy."
His substitution is arguably good news for Spurs as it means their 19-year-old Player of the Year is reasonably rested for Sunday's visit of Aston Villa.
According to Sofascore, Bergvall had the second-highest rating (7.4) on the pitch in the first half. He completed 22 of his 25 passes, four of his five attempted dribbles and also won six of his seven duels.
Incredibly, Sweden now have a goal difference of minus five - even though their squad is littered with top talent from Europe's top-five domestic leagues.
After the defeat, an anti-Tomasson banner appeared in the stands which read: "JDT out - Danish b******." The former Blackburn Rovers boss insists he won't be stepping down as he plans to honour his contract.
He said when asked if he will consider resigning: "I have a contract with the association and we are in the middle of qualifying, so I expect to be here. I have a contract and we are in the middle of qualifying, so I expect that to stay. I am focused on the team and the upcoming matches."
