Several damallsvenska clubs are struggling with injury problems. In Gothenburg, Stina Blackstenius is out of action due to a rupture in a tendon in the back of the thigh. In Kristianstad, Moa Olsson and Elise Kellond-Knight, cruciate ligament injured, are on the injury list, as is Mia Carlsson, who broke her leg.
In fact, as many as twelve players injured the anterior cruciate ligament during the first five rounds of the damallsvenskan.
- We have definitely seen a trend with a substantial increase in anterior cruciate ligament injuries during the first part of the damallsvenskan compared to previous seasons, says Gothenburg team doctor Matilda Lundblad to SVT Sport.
Lundblad says that she also feels that the overload injuries have increased in comparison with previous years. One explanation for this may be the compressed game schedule due to the pandemic.
Positive that the discussion is brought to the fore- The congestion that we have seen, I think has a strong connection with it. When it comes to knee injuries, we have to look at it afterwards, says Lundblad.
Lundblad is also a member of the medical committee for the Swedish Football Association. There is currently a discussion about how the association can contribute to strengthening the medical teams in damallsvenskan
- The positive thing about this is that the discussion is brought to the fore and I would like to see that these elite licensing requirements are tightened up, says Lundblad and continues:
- Then it will be a compelling action that you must have this and that competence in place to be able to conduct the training and I hope that next season there can be some kind of addition to the medical requirements on the women's side.