Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke to Sky Sport 24 about the upcoming World Cup 2018 playoffs between Sweden and Italy: "They will be two beautiful games and difficult for both teams because they will give it their all to make it to the final tournament. Playing in the playoffs is a different feeling from the qualification round. Sweden are playing without pressure because I am not there anymore. When I am playing, the quality level raises, but it drops in my absence. Regardless, they are a strong collective group with less responsibility on their shoulders. The Swedish players don't have a lot of experience, but their project is ambitious. Is there anyone on Italy like me? Yes, Verratti, as there is no one better than him, but he has to be used in the right position in the center of midfield as a defensive midfielder."
Ibra also looked back on the past at that famous 2-2 draw with Denmark: "It was a normal game and the result was not fixed. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I don't accept those ideas. In my mind, they don't exist. But this is how it works by always looking to find an excuse. They are only words. Will I return to the Swedish national team if Sweden qualifies? No, I have already made history with the national team, but let's see what happens. Certainly, going to Russia would be beautiful."
