Euro 2012: Sweden make three changes to team to face England

Johan Elmander will start for Sweden against England. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sweden have recalled Johan Elmander for the match against England. The midfielder is one of three changes their coach Erik Hamren has made to the side which faced Ukraine. Elmander, who played for 20 minutes in Sweden's opener, has recently recovered from a right-foot fracture and will replace Markus Rosenberg.

Anders Svensson has also come into the side to partner Kim Kallstrom in midfield, with Rasmus Elm moving on to the left wing, and Ola Toivonen being dropped. Jonas Olsson will play at centre-back, with Andreas Granqvist moving to right-back, while Mikael Lustig has dropped out with a hip problem.
Meanwhile, the former Sweden international Freddie Ljungberg can understand why Roy Hodgson is set to hand Andy Carroll his first competitive England start on Friday night. By introducing Carroll for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hodgson would be hinting at a more direct approach, aimed at exploiting unusual Swedish fallibility in the air.

Six of the past seven goals conceded by Erik Hamren's men have been headers, including two for Andriy Shevchenko when they lost to the co-hosts Ukraine earlier this week. Ljungberg, who won 75 caps during a 10-year international career, believes England are hoping to capitalise on this. "They are putting Carroll in to exploit a problem for Sweden," said Ljungberg. "Out of the last 11 goals Sweden have conceded, seven have been headers, and it is something like six of the last seven. It shouldn't be like that.
"When I was playing, Sweden's strength was being solid at the back and good in the air so it is a bit of a surprise they conceded so many goals in that way. But because they have, I completely understand the reasoning behind Hodgson's tactics."
He added: "I think both sides will be a little bit cautious. Sweden didn't have a great result against Ukraine and whilst England defended very well against France you didn't see their offensive strengths. Overall I can see two wary teams going on the field. England are not assuming they are going to win as they normally do."

Sourced:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/15/euro-2012-sweden-three-changes-england