Sweden can Zlat go
Andersson’s men may be better off without Ibrahimovic
NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Sweden are without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and, for the first time since 2006, they are at the World Cup.
That’s the strange thing about Sweden. They may be better off without one of their best ever players.
Sweden were expected to struggle after the international retirement of Ibrahimovic at the end of the European Championship in 2016. But it hasn’t worked out that way. Sweden put a positive spin on the striker’s absence by finishing ahead of Holland and then beating Italy in a playoff to qualify for Russia.
They also beat France along the way. Maybe life won’t be so bad without Ibrahimovic, whose dominance of the team might have been as much of a hindrance as a help.
That notion has been suggested by the Swedish media.
Sweden start their first World Cup in 12 years today against South Korea, a team that have failed to maintain their status in world football.
South Korea reached the semi-finals at home in 2002 and the last 16 in 2010 but the 2014 World Cup in Brazil brought no wins and a humiliating return home, when angry supporters pelted the team with candy at Incheon International Airport.
The opening game is crucial for both teams with defending champions Germany and Mexico waiting in Group F.
It’ll only get tougher for the Swedes and the South Koreans.
Sweden’s top frontman post-Ibrahimovic is striker Marcus Berg.
Under coach Janne Andersson, there’s a feeling that this team, with defender and captain Andreas Granqvist and attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg, are more balanced.
Not so reliant on one player, albeit an exceptional player.
In contrast, South Korea are hugely reliant on Tottenham forward Son Heung-min to restore some faith.
Excitement for football in South Korea appears to be near an all-time low, with US President Donald Trump’s summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the after-effects of that far more fascinating for South Koreans right now than an under-performing national team.
Now with LA Galaxy, Ibrahimovic is at the World Cup in Russia doing sponsor commitments.
He’s still attracting attention after hinting at a comeback for the World Cup that ultimately didn’t happen.
He said Sweden without him won’t be under as much pressure and that might allow the team to operate with more freedom.
But he’s recently reacted sarcastically – and in a typically Ibrahimovic way – to suggestions that he wasn’t a team player and Sweden is better off: “I played in Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United, (Los Angeles) Galaxy,” he said.
“So if you don’t know how to do it ... why did you play in the biggest teams in the world and you won?”
Ibrahimovic’s running commentary could inspire the team to prove themselves without him, but it could also become a distraction when they face bigger tests later in the group stage. — AP