Daniel Svensson shows he can be a useful attacking weapon on the right-back
Borussia Dortmund star Daniel Svensson carved a niche for himself as one of the best all-round left wing-backs last season. He could provide an attacking spark with his line-breaking passes while also tracking back in transitions to nip any dangers on the break.
Turns out, he's equally effectively on the right side of the defense too as Sweden deployed him as their right-back on Monday to fill in for the injured Emil Holm and lasted full 90 minutes without erring even once.
Svensson can do the job at right-back too
Despite operating from a relatively unfamiliar position on the right, Svensson never seemed like he's out of place even once. He made a couple of his trademark forward runs but particularly looked effective in his combination plays with Patrik Walemark.
It helped the Blagult start brightly and build early pressure on the Poles. In the 18th minute, Svensson played a headed pass into Walemark's path and the 24-year-old got a shot away which Polish 'keeper Marcin Bułka saved. Shortly afterwards, the BVB starlet whipped in a dangerous-looking cross inside the box which Besfort Zeneli connected with a header, but his effort flew narrowly wide off target in one of the most promising chances for Sweden early on.
His passing wasn't the best, registering a completion rate of just 76%, and was also found way too far from action in the build up to Sebastian Szymanski's equalizer for Poland, but Svensson more than made up for that with his fierce involvement offensively and regurgitated himself in the second half after losing momentum in the first following a bright start.
The former Nordsjælland left-back showed encouraging work-ethic off the ball too, looking to press Poland as he made six ground duels, winning four, while also intercepting the ball thrice in crucial defensive interventions. Svensson was not just filling in at the right-back, he excelled at it, and BVB is hopefully taking note.
Svensson to replace the injured Ryerson?
Dortmund's preferred right wing-back Julian Ryerson picked up a knock during their 2-1 loss against Portugal on Sunday and with no immediate backup in the squad - remember, they shipped out Yan Couto on loan to Como - Niko Kovac has a crucial decision to make.
However, after Svensson's impact as Sweden's makeshift right-back, it seems like the BVB manager has an internal solution to the problem in the versatile Swede, whom he's already experimented with in that position during the preseason. Perhaps, it's time to make the switch again if Ryerson is unavailable even after the international break,
Today's best reads
Dortmund's Nordic stars recalled by Norway and Sweden
Nations League roundup, 27 September: Which BVB stars are in action tonight? Here's the full list
Chukwuemeka gave Kovac a reason to trust his cameos with Austria display
"Transfer to Dortmund has been amazing" - BVB midfielder opens up on international return
Player ratings for Dortmund from 1-0 win over Stuttgart
