IT’S BALE V ZLAT
GARETH Bale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic WILL go headto-head today in the battle of the superstars after Chris Coleman confirmed the Real Madrid man will play against Sweden.
Wales boss Coleman insisted Bale will definitely feature in Wales’ final Euro 2016 warm-up match, though stressed he would not play 90 minutes.
And with Sweden having already stated that Manchester United target Ibrahimovic will skipper the side against Wales in Stockholm, it means two of the world’s most exciting talents will square up.
The game will mark Wales’ only full game before kicking off their longawaited appearance in a major finals when they face Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday.
And with Coleman already without Joe Ledley, Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu, whose recovery from injury won’t be risked at the Friends Arena, he is keen to give his key men vital minutes.
Coleman said: “Bale will play a part. He’s just come through 120 minutes in a victorious Champions League final and he doesn’t need 90 minutes. I know that for sure and he won’t get it. He had that game and all the other things with the celebrating and travelling, so half hour or 45 minutes will be fine.”
Coleman insisted he was pleased Ibrahimovic will play as he seeks the right kind of test before Slovakia, though added he had not made spe- cial plans.
He said: “We picked the game for certain reasons, and I’m glad to see they are going strong. It will be a tough test but that’s why we’re here – there’s no point playing games if we’re guaranteed wins or easy 90 minutes. This won’t be.
“Ibrahimovic is a great player and facing him will be good for us, but we don’t fear any individual or team. We look forward to challenges but I can’t say we’ve had long conversations on him. We’ve done our homework but it’s mainly about us.”
Coleman is expected to make a number of changes during the game as he hopes to see his players looking sharp but is expected to give Sam Vokes a chance to stake his claim for a No.9 role as Hal RobsonKanu recovers from an ankle problem. Andy King is likely to feature in midfield.