Leeds United star opens up on 'dark days' in World Cup build-up as injury fears addressed
One Leeds United player's start to the World Cup has been a rollercoaster.
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson has allayed any injury fears after hobbling off during Sweden’s 5-1 World Cup thumping of Tunisia.
Gudmundsson became the first Leeds player to feature in the tournament on Monday morning after Brenden Aaronson, Noah Okafor and Ao Tanaka watched their respective nations from the bench. Sweden got off to a flying start in putting five past a dismal Tunisia who have since sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi.
But having missed some training sessions through illness last week, Gudmundsson lasted 66 minutes at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico before being replaced by Elliot Stroud. The left-back looked in some discomfort after being seen to by the Sweden medical staff, who eventually led him off the pitch.
Sweden boss Graham Potter said after full-time he believed Gudmundsson was struggling with cramps. And the Leeds defender echoed that, pointing to a combination of recent illness and energy-sapping weather conditions for his discomfort.
“It was quite noticeable to me,” Gudmundsson told Fotbollskanalen. “It hasn’t been an entirely optimal week for me.
“But I trained with the team again on Friday and got two good sessions. The circumstances with the weather [heat and humidity] may have played a small role, but regardless, it felt good.”
Gabriel Gudmundsson on Sweden illness period
Gudmundsson has been a doubt to feature against Tunisia at all during the build-up to Monday’s game. The left-back had only just returned from a five-week absence due to a hamstring injury before being taken ill once over in the USA.
Sweden’s press officer told national media Gudmundsson was in a ‘bad state’ on Wednesday with the 27-year-old forced to isolate in a hotel room. It was a difficult period for the Leeds favourite.
“It was dark. It was dark days,” he admitted. “I downloaded a lot of series before we flew to the US, and I managed to burn them all in two or three days. I had to isolate myself, sleep a lot and just take care of my body.”
Gudmundsson will hope to be involved again when Sweden face the Netherlands in Houston, Texas on Saturday evening UK time. They then head to Arlington in the same state for a final group stage meeting with Ao Tanaka’s Japan on June 26.