Larsson hits out at Sweden national team coach over public criticism

The official reason given by the Swedish FA in explaining 20-year-old midfielder Hugo Larsson's premature departure from the national team camp cites a "minor knee injury". Reliable German footballing journalist Christopher Michel nevertheless reports that Larsson is not carrying an injury. Michel reports that the young talent is expected back in Eintracht training immediately and will presumably be available for the weekend fixture against VfL Wolfsburg. 

Larsson - in public comments on the matter - has essentially admitted that the real reason he's left the Blaugults relates to a disagreement with national team trainer Jon Dahl Tomasson. Larsson was not included in Tomassson's match-day selection against Estonia yesterday. He sat unused on the bench in last Thursday's Nations League fixture against Azerbaijan. 

Tomasson publicly stated that he had issues with Larsson's lack of vertical passes in scrimmage play. Since breaking into SGE trainer Dino Toppmöller's starting XI early last season and breaking through with his first Bundesliga goal during a crucial round seven fixture in the 2023/24 campaign, the young talent has become a regular fixture in German top flight football. His estimated market worth has tripled to €28 million over the last 12 months. 

“It's a sad situation,” said the right-footer recently about his omission (quoted via ‘Sportbladet’), “I told him that I would have preferred it to have stayed between us or within the team. Some things should stay within the family, and that didn't happen.”