Sweden's Gyokeres: 'We have a good chance of reaching the World Cup'

Injuries have affected both teams before the game in Valencia, Spain, leaving Gyokeres to spearhead Sweden's attack with Alexander Isak sidelined.

The forward could not find the net during Blagult's poor performance in World Cup qualifying Group B, where Sweden drew no victories in six outings, leading to Jon Dahl Tomasson's dismissal and his replacement by Potter for the last pair of fixtures.

That said, Gyokeres netted nine goals across six games to help Sweden top their UEFA Nations League section in 2024, which earned them this play-off clash against Ukraine.

The 27-year-old faces significant expectations to perform as Sweden aims to qualify for the World Cup again after skipping Qatar four years back, yet he remains unfazed by the spotlight, sharing his thoughts with reporters prior to kick-off.

"I don't dwell on it excessively. Playing numerous high-stakes matches means concentrating on giving your all. As a forward, your goal is always to step up and find the back of the net.

Goals might prove scarce in this semi-final stakes against a team ranked 12 spots higher than Potter's squad, who seek a return to the tournament after their sole prior entry as an independent state two decades ago.

"This game carries huge weight. It's a challenging encounter. It might turn into one with limited opportunities. What matters is making the most of them. We plan to seize control early and generate solid openings," Gyokeres explained.

The ex-Sporting CP player will make his debut under Potter, having missed November's games due to injury, and he has noticed a shift in vibe since his October outings.

"The mood feels more upbeat, though it's been some time since then. We've aimed to move past it and zero in on this fixture plus possibly another in Stockholm shortly," he noted, alluding to a prospective play-off decider versus Poland or Albania on Tuesday 31st March.

"Things differ with Graham and the fresh coaching team. It helps in leaving those autumn results in the past. Moreover, we stand a solid shot at making the World Cup," he continued.

Team camaraderie has emerged as a key theme in preparations, with Gustaf Lagerbielke revealing that he, Noel Tornqvist, and Benjamin Nygren often hit the beach to "explore profound topics."

"Conversations turn quite intense," admitted the Braga backliner: "We touch on everything from wild theories to lineup choices. Things like debating if the moon landing was staged or not. The guys brought up fascinating ideas - it was enjoyable listening!"

"Zodiac stuff isn't our forte, yet we ponder their distances and if extraterrestrials exist." Regarding the players' form heading into Thursday's tie: "We believe it's strong," Lagerbielke affirmed.