Sweden sweat on Ibra injury
15 Jun 2008 - 08:08:32
Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is hopeful that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be fit to feature in the crucial Group D showdown with Russia.
Internazionale ace Ibrahimovic was forced out of the game against Spain at half-time, having scored an equaliser for his side, with Sweden going on to concede a heartbreaking last-gasp winner.
Afterwards, Lagerback told reporters: "Zlatan had some pain in his knee and we had a brief discussion with our medical team.
"He would probably have been able to play another few minutes, but we thought taking him off was the better option rather than risk making the injury worse.
"The substitutes did well but Zlatan put in a top-class performance in the first half and of course we missed that.
"I think the injury is the same as it was after the Greece game, so I expect him to play in the next match.
"I don't know if we're too dependent on Zlatan, but he's a world-class player. If you have a player of that calibre, of course he's going to be important and obviously our chances are improved when he plays."