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Ibrahimovic leads Sweden against old Italian friends

BORDEAUX — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is getting ready to meet some old Italian friends.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden (far right) and defender Ciaran Clark of Republic of Ireland fighting for the ball during their Group E match at Stade de France on Monday. The Swedes trailed until the 71st minute, when Ibrahimovic scored. Photo: Getty Images

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden (far right) and defender Ciaran Clark of Republic of Ireland fighting for the ball during their Group E match at Stade de France on Monday. The Swedes trailed until the 71st minute, when Ibrahimovic scored. Photo: Getty Images

BORDEAUX — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is getting ready to meet some old Italian friends.

The flamboyant striker, who spent several years in Serie A, will again be the focus of much of the attention when Sweden faces Italy today at the European Championship.

Ibrahimovic played with Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini at Juventus, and with Stephan El Shaarawy and Mattia De Sciglio at AC Milan. Italy midfielder Thiago Motta and reserve goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu were also team-mates with Ibrahimovic at Paris Saint-Germain. Now, they will be tasked with stopping him.

Ireland managed to stifle Ibrahimovic for most of Monday’s 1-1 draw, but they could not prevent the Sweden captain from rescuing his team in the second half. The Swedes trailed until the 71st minute, when Ibrahimovic sent a teasing ball across the goalmouth that Ireland defender Ciaran Clark stooped to head into his own net.

“I think we can even beat Italy,” said Ibrahimovic. “To do so, however, we definitely have to improve.”

With a goal against the Italians, Ibrahimovic will be become the first player to score in four different European Championships. The 34-year-old Swede is also only three goals away from equalling Michel Platini’s record of nine tournament goals.

But today he will be facing an Italy side with one of the best defences in the world. Not only do the Azzurri have Buffon in goal, but he stands behind Juventus team-mates Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Chiellini, who reached a combined 200 appearances for the Italian national team against Belgium.

They were key to Italy’s surprise 2-0 win over the Belgians, managing to keep in check the world’s second-ranked team, famous for their attacking flair.

Italy, whose ageing team were written off by critics and described as one of the worst ever by the media back home, lead Group E.

“We haven’t done anything yet, but we hope to get to where these lads deserve,” said Italy coach Antonio Conte. “The first step is to reach the last 16, but dreaming helps you achieve something extraordinary.”

The Azzurri are noticeably devoid of standout players, but what they lack in star quality, they make up for in team effort.

“Ibrahimovic is the best forward since (Marco) Van Basten, except for Brazil’s Ronaldo,” said Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi. “We are a little bit scared of his power and his talent. However, we can beat (Sweden) the same way that we beat Belgium — with organisation and by hard work on the training field.”

His Roma team-mate Alessandro Florenzi agreed: “Before the Euro, all the newspapers said we wouldn’t get past the first round, that we didn’t have technically gifted players.

“A lot of unfounded claims were made. Now, after one game, people are starting to believe in us again.” AGENCIES

TV LISTING

ITALY v SWEDEN

Singtel TV Ch 142 & StarHub TV Ch220, 8.50pm

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