Isak Hien
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Logs four clearances in World Cup opener
Hien won one tackle and had four clearances, one block and one interception in Sunday's 5-1 victory versus Tunisia.
Analysis: Hien led a fine defensive effort, as Sweden pulled the strings for most of the tilt, but they were unable to completely shut down the foes despite the stellar display overall because of a collective mishap on a set piece. Hien will likely have a key role in the back for the rest of the tournament. He helped Atalanta secure four clean sheets in 38 appearances (27 starts) in the recently concluded campaign.
Set to anchor backline
Hien has been named in Sweden's World Cup squad and is expected to start at center-back, arriving at the tournament after a solid Serie A campaign that underlined his development as one of the more reliable defenders in the Swedish squad.
Analysis: Hien posted 49 tackles, 29 interceptions and 102 clearances across 28 Serie A appearances this season, demonstrating the defensive solidity and physical presence that make him a difficult opponent for any center-forward. His aerial dominance, ability to read dangerous situations early and composure in one-on-one situations give Sweden a robust and dependable presence at center-back, and his Serie A experience against some of the best strikers in Europe prepares him well for the demands of a major international tournament. Paired with Victor Lindelof, Hien gives Sweden a center-back partnership that combines experience, physicality and tactical intelligence, and keeping clean sheets against the top nations will depend heavily on the pair's ability to function as a cohesive unit from the first whistle.
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