Rep. Ireland vs Sweden - preview

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- Latest events

REP.IRELAND

·         Republic of Ireland has been progressively getting into the big stages and they are at it again, but this time they face not only great teams, but their own problems, with their squad lacking a leader like the Keane’s – Roy and Robbie – were.  

·         Martin O’Neill has try to adopt an attacking mentality and it has been working, but in this group stage their defense will be on focus  

·         The friendlies showed some frailties and raised concerns that need to be sorted by kickoff, as they face the group of death.

SWEDEN

·         Probably, the last big competition for Zlatan to make history with his country.  

·         The teammates will have to try and be assets for the legend to be an influence in the tournament, and Ibra will try and push his team forward.    

·         The win against Wales was great for morale, as they will face a similar challenge in Rep. Ireland   

- Expected Lineups

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- Areas to follow

REP.IRELAND

·         Defense

A very experienced backline, with countless games in the Premier League, Ireland’s defense will have to focus mainly, but not exclusively on Zlatan. Coleman and Brady will also have to be units that go forward, mainly the Everton man, as Brady will make its influence known in set pieces.

·         Midfield

It remains to be seen how O’Neill will actually shape his team. It’s likely that he will go for a diamond formation, with question if at the tip of it will be Hoolahan or McGoldrick, and wingers that will cut inside to allow the full backs involvement.

·         Attack

Walters will be used as a free role and Long up front, and the Southampton man comes off one the best season of his career, and important goals for club and nation. He will have a tough game against the tall, strong, Swedish defensive, but his pace might be a weapon that unlocks the game.

             

SWEDEN

·            Defense

A very tall backline that rarely goes ahead of the halfway line. It’s not expected that Olsson and Lustig are an influence in the attack, but rather closing down in their own penalty area, cutting down any aerial threat. Lindelof has been on form for Benfica, but Hamren still debates if the youngster is ready to start.

·             Midfield

  A lot of the ball will have to go through Kallstrom, even though Zlatan will be also be part of the chance creating process. Forsberg and Durmaz like to go forward and get some crosses in, but they are also effective cutting inside, so they will likely swap sides a lot during the game.

·             Attack

    Zlatan is the headline, anywhere he goes, and it won’t be any different this time. Marcus Berg is a dangerous striker on its own, but all eyes will be on Zlatan that knows that he can’t do everything by himself, and has been tracking back and creating play himself, elevating Swedish football.

- FIL’S VERDICT

  It’s a fairly accepted fact that these teams are very similar in quality, and therefore the game should be evenly matched. Both teams are more comfortable giving away control of the ball ant letting their opponent charge them down.

 That won’t be possible, as someone will have to take initiative, and it feels like Sweden is more likely to go and take control, as they have something that the Irish don’t, and that’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He’ll need that his colleagues replicate the good exhibition against Wales, where they seemed more confident than before.

 Rep.Ireland had great spells against Germany but some bad games against easier opposition. They know they will have to take their chances, and that won’t be easy, as Long has a bad matchup for him against the tall Swedish backline. It will be a tight match, decided by a moment of brilliance. And with Zlatan in the pitch, Sweden feels slightly favorite.

FIL’S PREDICTION

REP.IRELAND 0-1 SWEDEN