The magic finally came, but it was provided by a man in blue.
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But even Ibrahimovic can’t save them this time around. Meanwhile, Ireland sank to the bottom of Group E after a crushing 3-0 defeat to Belgium on Saturday.
“We want to continue on our current path, in the shadows, taking it one game at a time”.
And Eder revealed that Italy boss Antonio Conte had his charges working on how to exploit Sweden from throw-ins prior to the clash. Yet, after two games, they have already done something their predecessors failed to do at the 2010 or 2014 World Cups, Euro 1996 or Euro 2004: “they have qualified from the group stages”.
If Sweden’s success starts with how Zlatan Ibrahimovic being Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then it’s pretty easy to figure out that Italy’s defense full of Juventus players was going to have to be the flawless counter to that. When he did find himself a yard out with an open goal he inexplicably put it over, although the linesman’s flag had been raised anyway.
– Since 1980, Sweden are the first side in history not to have mustered a single shot on target in their first two games of a Euro finals tournament.
“We changed the tempo after the break and we deserved our victory”. They can afford to now, having scored the victor with two minutes left. Marco Parolo headed against the bar from about six meters out after a wonderful feed in from Emanuele Giaccherini. Two further teams could yet progress to the second round. “Those small details can make a big difference”, Éder said.
Italy’s substitutes surged from the bench, cheering.
Ever since players of foreign descent were first chosen by the national team, there has been a debate about whether they should be.
But even Conte admitted even he was surprised at his side’s positive start. “They are renowned for being a team who give everything. Conte is a coach with a very simple idea”, Buffon said.
The same guy who scored the game-winning goal in the dying embers of the second half, Eder.
“It’s a hard game, a rough one”.
Eder said Italy found it tough against a different type of opposition to that of Belgium. “At the start we had flat tyres; now we are trying to pump them up a bit, game by game”.
He’s playing his cards absolutely right, too.
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We created few chances today, Germany coach Joachim Loew said. “When you see everyone in a yellow (Swedish) shirt, it’s fantastic. Sure, it would’ve been better to have more chances, but I assure you that we tried, but the defence did their job”. I want everyone to be involved, to feel responsibility.
