That’s when I feel I have accomplished something, when I learn new things.
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Speaking on Sunday, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland manager admitted he had changed his mind over the intervening period.
The teenage scored 30 goals for Basel since making his senior debut in the spring of 2014, making him one of the brightest prospects in Europe.
Ibrahimovic’s excellent finishing from inside and outside the box makes him a danger nearly anywhere in the Ireland half and they need to keep him quiet if they’re to have any hopes of winning the game.
“The games are hard for us but we’re looking forward to them immensely – not to be fearful, just do our utmost in the match and you never know”.
The man who voted for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 2015 Ballon d’Or has done more than anyone to detach Sweden from its low power distance culture over the past seven years – more than anyone apart from Zlatan himself, that is. He’s a top player, as the gaffer referred to.
“He scores goals no matter where he has been and he has won league titles”.
‘There are certainly goals left in me, there’s no question about that. I play differently with PSG obviously but you must be patient in what you expect from your team-mates.
Keane is a veteran of the Republic’s disappointing Euro 2012 campaign which saw them return home without a single point after defeats by Croatia, Spain and Italy.
Asked if he liked the 34-year-old, Keane said: “How could you not?
As a footballer you have to put defeats out of your mind quickly and that one was nearly seven years ago”, he said.
Given that Sweden vs. Republic of Ireland already involves two of the game’s most engaging figures in Roy Keane and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it was never going to take much to fan the flames.
“We went into that group as a group of players thinking we had a chance of getting out of the group, team spirit has always been high but we played against top, top teams and that’s the way it goes in football sometimes. I have the greatest pressure on my shoulders and I want to take the pressure off the team as much as possible”.
“Are we ready now?”
Ibrahimovic is looking forward to getting involved in the tournament.
Ireland have had a nagging doubt about the fitness of Jon Walters, who has been struggling with achilles problems.
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O’Neill does not feel the outcome of the opening game will decide their fate but is hoping his side can make a winning start.
