Ireland v Sweden Aviva Stadium Latest
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes
that Sweden’s qualification hopes can survive a slip up in Dublin tomorrow but
feels that they can take a significant step towards a play-off place if they
don’t concede in what should, he feels, be a more open game.
“We’ve trained well this
week and I’m looking forward to the game, it’s an important one for us, but I
don´t think it’s all or nothing,” he says. “There is pressure to win but there
are other games and chances to take the points we need to go to the World Cup.
“I think it will be a more
open game; they (Ireland) came here and closed down the space for us.
Playing
at home I think they will attack more which leave more space for us. But it
depends on how much they are ready to offer in this game. And it’s an away
game, which is never easy. We must be careful and focused on not letting any
goals in.”
Sweden v Ireland Teams
Expectations in Sweden
remain high and Erik Hamren finds himself under pressure from some quarters as
he struggles to secure even second place but Ibrahimovic is supportive.
“The groups we are playing
in now,” he says, “are not like before. It is much harder now when only the
first team qualifies and not the second . . . And if you get Germany in your
group then it is very difficult. The other nations have made progress too so
it’s not easy.
“So, yes, I think so,” says
the 31-year-old on whether the manager should stay if the Swedes miss out. “We
must find the calmness in our way of playing, instead of just giving away the
ball.”