Euro 2020: Rising Stars – Sweden’s Alexander Isak
In Euro 2020, Sweden have a different outlook on how they will play, being without the ageless talisman that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, instead, the Swedes will look to physical striker Alexander Isak to lead the line and take the side out of the group stages.
The 6ft 4 forward began his career at AIK in his native Sweden, playing one full senior season there, at the age of 16.
In 2017, Isak made a £9 million move to German giants Borussia Dortmund but struggled to make an impact, scoring just one goal in the DFB Pokal.
Isak made no appearances for Dortmund in 2018 and was loaned to Dutch side Willem II halfway through the campaign and went on to score 13 goals in 16 Eredivisie games, becoming the first foreign-born player to get 12 goals in his first 12 league games.
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Isak’s impressive loan spell earned him a move to Real Sociedad in Spain, where the 21-year-old scored 16 league goals in his first season and followed it up with 17 in 2020/21, winning La Liga Young Player of the Year.
For a tall forward, one of Isak’s biggest strengths is dribbling and his ability to take on defenders with his quick feet, the Swede made 1.2 dribbles per 90 this season, usually taking a shot at the end of it as he made 2.4 shots per 90.
Here's that video of Alexander Isak making grown men fall over that you were looking for.https://t.co/2WuZji4w6U
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) June 18, 2021
Sweden has a top prospect on their hands; a great tournament could earn him a move to a top club.
Isak loves to take on long shots, often taking control of certain free-kicks for Sociedad and taking the initiative on his pacy runs from his own half.
Where Isak struggles is often seeing other player’s runs and openings, he only managed 2 assists in 2020/21 and is known for occasionally taking on too much himself, instead of playing in a teammate.
Euro 2020 is the perfect opportunity for Isak to showcase his skill and prove he is ready for the big stage once again; Arsenal and Manchester City are linked but will no doubt need a bit more convincing.
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Sweden is in Group C with Slovakia, Spain and Poland – the Swedes next and last of the group stages is against Poland. They also won their second fixture against Slovakia, sit on four points and lead the group.
They stand a strong chance to get out of the group as either first-placed winners or runners-up, depending on other results.