SWEDEN boss Janne Andersson believes veteran superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made the impossible, possible.
Andersson believed it would be unthinkable for a player, who turns 40 this year, to still be able to score regularly at the highest level.
After firing 15 goals in 18 Serie A starts for AC Milan, Ibrahimovic finally ended his five-year international exile in March.
As Sweden’s record scorer with 62 goals, he was set to take centre stage once again at Euro 2020 before an ACL injury cruelly robbed him and Andersson out of an emotional return.
Andersson, 58, told SunSport: “In all honesty, I didn’t think anybody would be able to play at that level, at that age.
“But he has proved many people wrong during his long career so I wouldn’t be surprised if he keeps on playing.
“Injuries are part of the game. But after talking to Zlatan it was evident that he couldn’t play for us during the Euros.”
It is fair to say Andersson’s relationship with straight-talking Ibra has been rocky to say the least.
In September last year, Ibra appeared to aim fire at Andersson by calling Dejan Kulusevski’s omission in a game against France as ‘a damn joke.’
He added in a tweet: “Further proof. Incompetent people in the wrong positions smothering Swedish football.”
Six months later and the pair had buried the hatchet after Ibrahimovic finally made a return from international wilderness.
Andersson added: “Zlatan is the best Swedish footballer of all time.
“He was a true professional both on and off the pitch when he was with us during our games in March.
“The team that qualified for the Euros didn’t have Zlatan in the squad and we have many good players and leaders in the group.”
Ibrahimovic’s absence could allow the hugely-talented Alexander Isak to emerge from his shadow.
The 21-year-old striker has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Barcelona after firing 17 LaLiga goals for Real Sociedad this season.
And Andersson believes the stage is set for Isak to announce himself as a star in Europe.
He said: “Alex has had a very good season in Spain and has performed well for us as well.
“He made his first appearance with us in 2019 and has been improving a lot since then. There are many good players at the Euros but Alex is a player that has the quality to make a big impact in the tournament.”
Andersson heads into his second major tournament in the dugout after his side impressed in the World Cup three years ago before being knocked out by England in the quarter-finals.
They open their Euros account against 2012 champions Spain on Monday before taking on Slovakia and Poland but the gaffer is eager to take inspiration from Greece’s shock Euro win in 2004 and cause an upset.
He added: “We have to take it one game at a time. We are facing very good teams in the group stage.
“We have to perform at our top level in every game to make it to the knockout stage.
“But I am confident in my team. All we can do now is to make sure that our preparations are as good as they can be.
“We have played very good teams in both the Nations League and in the qualifiers for the Euros. Spain, France and Portugal are all teams that are very good and can make it all the way. But we will do everything in our power to make it as far as possible.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
