No doubt for Ibrahimovic

It took him a season to properly settle in the Netherlands, but now AFC Ajax's Zlatan Ibrahimovic is hoping to prove himself as one of the most talented strikers in Europe.

Comfortable and confident
Ahead of Ajax's UEFA Champions League Group D match against Rosenborg BK tonight, the 21-year-old Ibrahimovic was in reflective mood about his life since he left Malmö FF in 2000 as a prodigiously talented teenager. Speaking to uefa.com, he said: "I experienced a tough first year in Holland with Ajax, I was a young guy in his first professional year in a different country. Now I’m used to life in Holland and that makes me feel comfortable and also gives me confidence."

In their hands
Ajax are in third place in the group, behind Olympique Lyonnais and Internazionale FC, yet qualifying for the second group stage is still very much in their own hands. And the Swedish international, who scored a late equaliser against Hungary in their EURO 2004™ Group 4 qualifier nine days ago, feels he is in the right form to propel Ronald Koeman's side through.

Good form
"Since the match against Lyon [a 2-1 win on Matchday One in which Ibrahimovic scored both goals] I have played well and also feel comfortable on the pitch," he added. "The same is true when I play for Sweden, it all feels great. I’m ready for the Rosenborg match and I’m in the squad of 18 players. I hope I will play."

Finnish article
Another reason for Ibrahimovic's improvement this season is the return of Jari Litmanen to the Dutch champions. The youngster clearly has enormous respect for his Finnish team-mate. "Jari is a player who plays with his soul," he said. "He is intelligent and always tries to play it simple. He is the ideal team player and exactly what we needed."

Concentration crucial
Litmanen's European experience has understandably rubbed off on the striker, who has scored four Champions League goals in nine appearances and shows a real understanding of what is required in Europe. "When you play Champions League it is all so different," he said. "In Europe you have to concentrate for 90 minutes. Last Saturday [a 6-2 win against AZ Alkmaar] we made some mistakes and the opponent scored twice. In Italy versus Internazionale one moment of sloppiness in our defence and they scored the only goal.”

No doubts 
As to whether this confident player believes Ajax will join either Inter or Lyon in the next phase, his answer is quick and decisive. "No doubt about it," he said.