Ibrahimović fired up for a free-flowing finale
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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Striker Zlatan Ibrahimović is anticipating "an open game" at Old Trafford in two weeks' time, as FC Internazionale Milano attempt to overcome Manchester United FC following a goalless home draw on Tuesday night.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović is looking forward to "an open game" at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time, as FC Internazionale Milano attempt to overcome Manchester United FC following a 0-0 home draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie.
'Open game'
Inter were outplayed for large periods of the match at San Siro, only really flickering to life at the start and end of the second half, but the Nerazzurri managed to avoid conceding the away goal that would have tipped the balance in favour of the Premier League club and the Swedish international was positive about his side's prospects in the return leg. "We are very confident," he said. "We want to win every game and we are going to Manchester to try to win. United are a good team so it will be very difficult because we know that they want to win too. I think it'll be an open game over there like it was tonight."
Vidić praise
United could prove an even tougher side to break down on home soil as Nemanja Vidić, one of their star performers this season, will return from suspension to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence. However striker Ibrahimović, who has failed to score a post-Christmas goal in 19 European matches, was unfazed by the prospect of facing the Serbian international. "I'm looking forward to taking on Vidić," he said. "He's a great player, who has done very well so far this year but it's no problem for me to play against the best because that's part of the challenge. I'm looking forward to playing against him. Players look forward to these big occasions and you just have to enjoy them."
Cup-tie atmosphere
Ibrahimović added that the do-or-die cup-tie atmosphere in England would also be something to savour as both sides slug it out to see who goes through. "It'll be like a cup tie at Old Trafford," said the 27-year-old. "It'll be win or lose. We have to win to go through or we could even get a draw and go through but I don't think that any teams really play for a draw. We'll be going there to win and then we'll just have to see how it turns out. Beating the European champions would certainly be a confidence boost for us but it's no guarantee that we'll win the Champions League."
