Italy, 2-0 winners over Belgium last week, now top Group E with six points, leaving Sweden, who had late claims for a penalty waved away, realistically needing to beat Belgium on Wednesday if they are to have any hope of making it to the knockout phase. The Belgian national team is incredibly talented and if Marc Wilmott can get his act together and create a solid game plan then I think they can go far.
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“I’m delighted for the team, and I’m very happy the coach has kept faith with me”. First of them is against Italy – Italy that perhaps don’t have the big stars they used to, but they are still very strong.
Sweden’s pre-tournament preparation was all focused around one man. Zlatan promised that the legend can still deliver and the Swedish team was set up to make that as easy as possible for him, but their performance against Ireland was boring, pedestrian and lacking in star quality.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t have a game of his life against Ireland, but that won’t put him off. Tell you what, read James Horncastle’s piece for your daily Zlatan fix and we’ll pick someone else.
Italy meet Sweden for the third time in the Euro finals.
The last time Italy won its second match was in Euro 2000.
Ibrahimovic was unable to inspire Sweden to victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 opener earlier this week after a 1-1 draw in their Group D opener.
But here is why it makes sense – he is the best player Sweden has ever produced, he is a big-name superstar who is still world class, and Sweden has a real shot to medal.
Southampton forward Pelle netted Italy’s second goal against Belgium on Monday – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Ibrahimovic left Paris Saint-Germain after four years in the French capital – where he boasted a record of 113 goals in 122 appearances – and is expected to complete a one-year deal at Old Trafford later this summer. “We must be good at exploiting their weaknesses”.
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“We have been starting from the position that those who play in the European Championship can not play again, but I have had a dialogue with Zlatan and we do not really know what will happen”. He’s not going to start unless Antonio Conte was paying attention to how bad Eder was against Belgium – odds are that didn’t happen – so the Napoli forward will be looking at a hopeful role off the bench again.
