Euro 2016: Italy stopper Gianluigi Buffon wary of the threat posed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of Swede test in Toulouse
Every Italian is praying the Azzurri can stop the maverick Swede from hitting the target in crunch group game
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HOW do you solve a problem like Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
That is the hot topic on every Italian’s lips today as they pray the Azzurri can stop the maverick Swede here in Toulouse today.
The Manchester United-bound striker is still scaring the hell out of teams at the age of 34.
Even a notoriously strong Italian defence are desperately trying to come up with answers as they prepare for today’s Group E showdown.
Keeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon, 38, was in goal the night Ibrahimovic announced himself on the world stage at Euro 2004 in Porto with a stunning back-heel goal that has become one of his party-pieces.
Italy — just like this year — faced Sweden in their second match and led the Scandinavians through Antonio Cassano’s first-half strike.
But just as it looked as though the Italians had one foot firmly in the knockout stages, Ibrahimovic struck.
The Italians ended up going out of the competition despite winning their last group game against Bulgaria.
Buffon, who played with the Swede at Juventus, said: “It was a great goal, although I didn’t fully appreciate that wonderful technical ability until a few years later.
“Back then, though, he was clearly special but he was still quite young and we weren’t quite sure how to understand how far he would go.
“Twelve years on, he’s already achieved so many things and won so many titles — and he’s already scored that kind of goal three or four times. It’s become his speciality.
“When he does things like that these days, it’s no longer a surprise.
“Clearly we’re very wary of him. He’s one of a small group of absolute superstars that always make the difference for the teams that they play for. But clearly Sweden are not a one-man team.
“But for myself and my team-mates in the back-line, he’s going to be very dangerous. We need to find a solution for this problem.”
That is why new United boss Jose Mourinho wants him.
Even at his age, Ibrahimovic scares any team.
Soon-to-be Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hopes to find a solution — not just today but next season when his men come up against United.
He admitted: “Zlatan’s a great player and he could play in any league in the world. I see no reason why he couldn’t make an impact anywhere. He’s terrific. Sweden are a decent side with a true superstar so we must be very careful.”
Asked what his plans are to stop the Swedish star, he said: “First and foremost, we must attack Sweden as a unit.
“From an attacking perspective we must not only pay attention to Zlatan but also to the other players, like John Guidetti, and also set-pieces.”
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Italy won their opener 2-0 against much-fancied Belgium — and many are now suddenly tipping them to be a real threat.
But Conte added: “The squad I’m working with is full of focus, determined individuals intent on doing things properly. I firmly believe that one game won’t change their attitude and we’re not getting carried away.”
Conte believes strike star Graziano Pelle, who scored the second against Belgium, had to leave Italy to become a star.
Pelle, 30, has only shown his true potential at Feyenoord in Holland and then at Southampton after failing to set the world alight in Italy at Leece, Parma and Sampdoria.
Conte said: “Clearly, coming up against different players in different leagues and working very hard has helped turn Graziano into an excellent forward with terrific physical attributes.”