I’M DROUGHT TO GET YOU!
13 shots without scoring, but goal-shy Berg will have the Three Lions in his sights today
FROM DARREN LEWIS In Samara HE is the striker with the worst record in front of goal in a World Cup for Sweden since 1974 – but Marcus Berg sure talks a good game.
Berg has had more shots – 13 – than any player still to score here and missed a sitter against Switzerland on Tuesday.
But he insists there is nothing wrong with his confidence after a haul of 34 goals during the 2017-18 season for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
“In the games I feel good. I can keep the ball well, I help the team,” Berg said. “Of course I wish to score but as long as we win I’m just so happy and proud of what we’re doing.
“If we had lost against Switzerland I’d be angry that I didn’t score but I will continue to get chances and hopefully I’ll score them.”
Berg looked to have found his stride ahead of the World Cup with eight goals in qualifying. But he has now gone four games without scoring.
The last Sweden player to have more shots without scoring at a World Cup was Ove Grahn in 1974 when 17 attempts went unrewarded.
Coach Janne Andersson remains adamant that 31-year-old Berg’s day will come here in Russia at what could be his last World Cup.
“It’s just a matter of time,” said Andersson.
“Marcus put in an excellent performance against Switzerland and I’m sure the goals will come. That’s the way it is in football. Once a scorer, always a scorer.”
Sweden, 24th in the world rankings, 12 places below England, arrived in Russia without a win in six, with no goal in 337 minutes, and without national hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
They’ve since shown they can cope without the ex-manchester United striker by topping a group that included Germany and are now just two wins from a first final since 1958.
A glance at their record to get to Russia proves their form in the tournament itself should not come as a surprise.
They beat France in qualifying and finished above Holland. They went on to see off four-time world champions Italy in the play-offs.
If England are complacent this afternoon, the Swedes have the focus and the organisation to take advantage.
“Our team spirit is something that we’ve built up over a two-year period,” said skipper Andreas Granqvist. And when you keep winning the positive atmosphere in the group grows.
“We’ve said from day one that we’re going to do this together as a team and we’ve really shown that is the case out on the pitch.”
The former Wigan centre-back, 33, was speaking after his wife Sofie had given birth on Thursday night to their second daughter.
“It was good timing,” said Granqvist.
“Everything went well. Both are doing really well.
“I’m going to put in another good performance; that’s the plan. I’m going to give my everything and, hopefully, we’ll get the result that we’re looking for.”
Asked which of the two events this week was more important, Granqvist said: “It’s a dream for every football player to play a quarter-final in the World Cup.
“But a daughter is the most beautiful thing you can get.”