Therese Strömberg, journalist of SportExpressen, has granted an exclusive interview to Milannews.it, where he has spoken about the return of AC Milan's veteran frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Swedish national team. Here are his statements:
On Zlatan's return:
"Sweden played a bad game against Georgia, the team was unbalanced and the players played below their standards. Zlatan and Alexander Isak didn't have many balls to play, but Ibra's assist to Viktor Claesson was crucial for the final victory. In any case we can expect more, both from the team and from Zlatan".
On whether did he expect Zlatan could even stay until 2022:
"No, absolutely not. At first I thought he would only stay for the first six months of 2020, and when he decided to renew I thought the 20/21 season would be his last. Many people, including me, also believed that his move to the US was the end of his career. What he is doing now is absolutely amazing".
On the reaction in Sweden after Zlatan's performances:
"What Zlatan has done in the last year has certainly had an incredible prominence in Sweden. At first, when he said in an interview that he missed the national team, I think many people did not imagine his return. But when Janne Andersson went in Milan to talk to him, it became obvious. After that meeting everyone expected that he would be called and that he would return".
On whether should Ibrahimovic renew and whether should Milan find another striker as an alternative:
"Yes, 100%. If Zlatan decides to play [for] another year, I think his body would react more or less like this season. He will not be able to play 90 minutes all games and will risk being out in some moments, especially if he still continues with the national team. Personally I did not understand Mandzukic's purchase from the beginning, it was strange. Milan need to buy a quality striker, not too young but not too old, ready to play when Ibra will not be".
