Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have his last final shot for silverware with Sweden at the upcoming 2016 Euro’s in France.
The iconic striker will be aiming for success with the national team, having reached the highest peaks in club competitions across his distinguished playing career, with sides including PSG, Milan and Ajax.
Sweden’s campaign begins on the 13th of June against the Republic of Ireland, with Group E also containing European heavyweights Italy and favourites Belgium. As captain of the squad, Ibrahimovic will play an integral role for the countries attempt to first escape its group and claw its way to European glory. So vital for the hopes to even make it out of the group, manager Erik Hamren labelled Ibrahimovic as Sweden’s ‘only world-class player’.
Ibrahimovic largely has been the Blågult’s go-to man in previous Euro’s and World Cup qualifying campaigns. Attempts in past Euro Championships and other major tournaments have revolved around Ibrahimovic’s ability to hold-up play and become the target/poacher for Sweden’s attack. In the qualifying stage for the Euros, he scored 11 goals.
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Notably, in the previous 2014 World Cup qualifying stage, Ibrahimovic was ever present for Sweden in its play-off match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. They bowed out following a 3-2 result (a 4-2 aggregate win for Portugal) with an explosive hat-trick from Ronaldo in the second game bowing out the Swedes. However, a brace from Ibrahimovic helped them stay in contention during the match.
Sweden’s past form without Ibrahimovic in the squad leaves much to be desired. Currently, Ibrahimovic has been challenged with his own fitness and hamstring issues following PSG’s campaign at the end of Ligue 1, which Erik Harmen had acknowledged prior to Sweden’s training camp for the lead up to the Euros.
A 0-0 result against Slovenia early yesterday morning lacked any of the cutting edge that Ibrahimovic provides in the final-third. A last friendly match at home against Euro competitors Wales should allow Erik Hamren to change up tactics in the squad and gradually shift Ibrahimovic into the side. Sweden will also be devoid of Hamburg Midfielder Albin Ekdal to serious injury, forcing the coach to become increasingly reliant on his star striker.
GRAPHIC: Zlatan Ibrahimovic https://t.co/Pio10Epk5y pic.twitter.com/2dalkGbKtU
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 19, 2016
Ibrahimovic will continue to replicate his outstanding club form into the International stage for Sweden. In 2015-16, he contributed 30 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 league matches, creating an average of 1.8 chances per game. At International level, Ibrahimovic has contributed 62 goals in 112 appearances, making him one of the most talented strikers entering Euro 2016.
While Sweden may not be contenders for the final crown, Ibrahimovic has the confidence carried from his success this season to be a threat in Group E. After the conclusion, he will emerge as free agent for clubs around Europe and abroad. With rumours linking him now to England with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, back to Malmo in Sweden or to a lucrative contract from a Chinese club, Ibrahimovic will be solely focused on making Sweden shoot for European Glory.
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