Saturday 18 June 2016 10:13, UK
How did Manchester United transfer target Zlatan Ibrahimovic get on in Sweden's 1-0 defeat by Italy at Euro 2016? We assess a frustrating afternoon for the striker…
Read our match report from Italy's 1-0 win over Sweden at Euro 2016.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no stranger to the spotlight but the glare is even stronger than usual at Euro 2016. The 34-year-old is due to complete his much-talked about move to Old Trafford after the tournament, and Manchester United supporters are eagerly following their incoming striker's progress in France.
Ibrahimovic has stopped short of confirming the move himself, but he seized an opportunity to talk up his enduring quality last week. "I am getting better with every year that passes," he said when asked about his age. "I want to play on so that I can show that the legend can still deliver. I have been dominating wherever I go. I will continue dominating."
The comments were nothing out of the ordinary for Ibrahimovic, who can point to his 50-goal campaign with Paris St Germain as compelling evidence to silence his doubters. It was the most prolific season of an extraordinary career, but could he replicate his devastating domestic form at Euro 2016? Could he excite United fans and become the first player to score in four European Championships?
There was no record-breaking goal, but the 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland was a reasonable start, as Ibrahimovic's moment of class forced Ciaran Clark to put the ball through his own net for Sweden's equaliser at the Stade de France. "How do you get opposing players to score goals for you - are you a magician?" he was asked after the game. "Yeah, that's it," came the response.
The magician had his work cut out against Italy in Sweden's second Group E game in Toulouse on Friday. Antonio Conte's side earned plenty of plaudits for their resolute defensive display in their 2-0 win over Belgium in Lyon, and the tone was set against Sweden when Giorgio Chiellini bravely beat Ibrahimovic to Kim Kallstrom's cross with a brilliant defensive header in the third minute.
Ibrahimovic enjoyed plenty of fruitful afternoons against Italian defenders during his time in Serie A, but this wasn't one of them. Juventus team-mates Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli formed a fearsome barrier in front of Italy's goal, and the striker's impact was muted in a cagey first half - save for a couple of harmless headers that drifted wide.
Ibrahimovic walked down the tunnel having touched the ball just 23 times - the third-fewest of his Sweden team-mates - with not a single one coming in Italy's box. He was hardly given an inch by the blue shirts lined up in front of Gianluigi Buffon, and the tactic forced him to drop deep in search of the ball. With his strike partner John Guidetti even more peripheral, Sweden carried next to no attacking threat.
The second half brought more of the same. Ibrahimovic cajoled and encouraged his team-mates as they laboured in a game of little quality, but on the rare occasions that a flick or pass found its way to his feet, his control let him down.
A narrow offside call prevented him from sprinting onto an inviting through ball from Albin Ekdal, but he was probably grateful to see the linesman raise his flag not long afterwards. Martin Olsson's excellent low cross missed Sebastian Larsson and reached Ibrahimovic unmarked at the back post, but his first-time effort flew over the bar from a few yards out.
It summed up a frustrating afternoon for Sweden's No 10, who pushed his head against the woodwork in anguish at his profligacy. Just two minutes of normal time remained when Italy striker Eder struck Italy's goal. Erik Hamren's side are yet to muster a single shot on target at Euro 2016, and this time there was no moment of magic from their talisman.
Starved of service and forced away from goal in ways he is not accustomed to, Ibrahimovic had touched the ball 40 times, created no chances and completed just 18 passes when the final whistle blew. His slim hopes of reaching the last-16 now rest on Sweden's clash with Belgium on Wednesday - a game they must win to have any chance of qualification.
An early exit could speed up Ibrahimovic's move to Old Trafford, but on this evidence, Manchester United supporters will have to wait a little longer to see their next addition at his best.
