Graham Potter has told his Sweden players to make sure they ‘celebrate like Switzerland in March’ after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat in his first match in charge.
The result continued Sweden’s nightmare World Cup qualifying campaign, while the victory all but ensured the Swiss of a place in next summer’s finals.
Sweden headed into the match with only one point from their opening four qualifying matches, which led to the dismissal of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Potter was parachuted in on a short-term deal last month in an effort to revive their hopes of qualification
Sweden’s sights will be set on the play-offs in March where they will participate due to their Nations League performances, but the scale of Potter’s task was highlighted against Switzerland.
Potter’s side were missing big-name stars Viktor Gyokeres, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and Victor Lindelof through injury, while Alexander Isak was only fit enough for a place on the bench.
Graham Potter’s Sweden suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Switzerland in his first match in charge
Sweden have endured a nightmare campaign but will still take part in the World Cup play-offs
Potter told his side to make sure they replicated Switzerland’s celebrations after the play-offs
His understrength side fell behind in the 12th minute in Geneva, with Breel Embolo firing the hosts ahead following a Dan Ndoye cross.
Sweden levelled in the 33rd minute through Benjamin Nygren, but suffered a second half collapse.
A Granit Xhaka penalty on the hour mark and an Ndoye effort saw Switzerland pull clear of their visitors, despite Potter turning to Isak from the substitutes bench.
Johan Manzambi added a fourth for Switzerland with a long turn and shot in stoppage time, with the victory effectively sealing their place at next summer’s World Cup.
‘The result is tough for us, Switzerland start well, they are a good team, they started well,’ Potter said post-match.
‘We hung in well and got better, scored a really good goal. Then we have a big chance to make it 2-1. Sometimes it’s these small margins that have to go your way.
‘It’s not a night we’re enjoying. But we have to make sure we celebrate like they celebrated tonight when we get to March.
‘We have to move forward. We’re not at their level right now.’
Sweden’s group stage campaign will conclude against Slovenia on Tuesday, before their attention turns to the play-offs in March.
Having earned a play-off spot via the Nations League path, Sweden will be unseeded in the draw and will, in theory, be drawn against a more difficult opponent.
