Alexander Isak Could Be a Game-Changer for Sweden Against Kosovo

Alexander Isak during Sweden training, Tomasson eyes positive result

Find out how Sweden's coach Jon Dahl Tomasson plans to utilize Alexander Isak in their upcoming match against Kosovo. Sweden looks to bounce back from a 2-2 draw against Slovenia as they face Kosovo.

“We are not robots, mistakes are a part of life. He made some saves after what happened...”

Sweden's Jon Dahl Tomasson believes Alexander Isak could be a “game-changer” in their upcoming match against Kosovo. Tomasson rested Isak in their last match against Slovenia, which ended in a 2-2 draw, due to the player's lack of match fitness after a three-month absence. The Sweden coach emphasized that he didn't want to risk Isak's health, given his limited training with the team and no pre-season games.

Sweden currently sits in Group B, searching for their first win. Their last match against Slovenia saw Viktor Gyokeres starting in a lone striker role, while Isak remained an unused substitute. With Kosovo's home advantage at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Sweden will need to secure a positive result to boost their chances in the qualifying campaign.

Isak's potential inclusion in the match against Kosovo could significantly impact Sweden's performance. Having recently joined Liverpool from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125 million, Isak's skills and experience will be crucial in Sweden's bid for World Cup qualification. Tomasson is cautiously optimistic about Isak's participation, hoping he can make a difference in the match.

Sweden's coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, clarified his decision regarding Alexander Isak's potential participation in the upcoming match against Kosovo. “It was a bit dependent on the result. If the match had been 1-1, he would definitely have played,” Tomasson stated, explaining why Isak didn't feature in the starting lineup against Slovenia. Isak has had limited game time, with only five training sessions with the Swedish team, and hasn't played a competitive match in around three-and-a-half months.

Tomasson dismissed rumors that Liverpool pressured him to keep Isak out of the match, emphasizing that the decision is entirely up to the Swedish team. “When he is here (with Sweden), it is we who decide,” he asserted, highlighting their cautious approach to managing Isak's fitness. Despite the striker's recent £125m transfer to Liverpool, Tomasson sees him as a potential game-changer, possibly featuring him as a substitute to give him some game time before his next Premier League match against Burnley.

Jon Dahl Tomasson remained tight-lipped about Alexander Isak's potential playing time in the upcoming match against Kosovo. However, he acknowledged that Isak could still have a significant impact for Sweden in this international window. Despite not confirming Isak's participation, Tomasson's comments suggest that the striker's abilities and experience could be valuable assets for the team as they seek a positive result against Kosovo.

MD-1 😀

🇽🇰v🇸🇪 | 8 September 20.45 pic.twitter.com/HwhCnn4z9y

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) September 7, 2025

“We are thinking, he can definitely be a 'game changer', but I will not sit here and say whether he plays or not.

“We have a good squad and can make changes. Right now, everyone is available. We will get a full report from the medical staff tomorrow morning.”

🗣️ "He's smiling, he's so happy to be here"

Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson discusses Alexander Isak being back in training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Slovenia 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/EVsJznbMk0

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 3, 2025

Jon Dahl Tomasson voiced his support for goalkeeper Robin Olsen after a costly mistake led to Slovenia's first equalizer. Despite the error, Tomasson praised Olsen's professionalism and handling of the situation. The Sweden coach emphasized that Olsen is an experienced shot-stopper and expressed confidence in his abilities, highlighting the importance of team resilience in the face of setbacks.

“We are not robots, mistakes are a part of life. He made some saves after what happened. How he handled the media afterwards shows who he is.

“That a player makes a mistake does not mean that he should be thrown under the bus. The whole team should be thrown under the bus. We don't do this one by one, we all ended up under the bus.”

Jon Dahl Tomasson seems to be sticking with Robin Olsen as the goalkeeper for the match against Kosovo. “He has experience, we have a fairly inexperienced team. His experience is the key,” Tomasson said, highlighting Olsen's value to the team. The Sweden coach emphasized the importance of Olsen's experience in guiding the team, particularly given the youth and inexperience of some of the other players.