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Malmö to put freeze on Ibrahimović's Paris

Åge Hareide hoped snow in Sweden would cool Paris's boots as Malmö bid to upstage their favourite son, striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, on his return to his first club.

Markus Rosenberg and Åge Hareide at Malmö's press conference
Markus Rosenberg and Åge Hareide at Malmö's press conference ©AFP/Getty Images
  • Coach Åge Hareide urges Malmö to take the initiative
  • Paris striker Zlatan Ibrahimović returns to his first club
  • Visitors can guarantee progress with victory in Sweden
  • French champions 13 points clear in Ligue 1 having won 12 of their 14 games
  • Ibrahimović has gone almost a year without a UEFA Champions League goal

Possible lineups
Malmö:
Wiland; Tinnerholm, Brorsson, Bengtsson, Yotún; Rodić, Lewicki, Adu, Berget; Rosenberg, Djurdjić.
Out: Molins (knee), Azinovic (knee), Árnason (suspended)
Doubtful: Djurdjić (groin)

Paris: Trapp; Van der Wiel, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Maxwell; Matuidi, Thiago Motta, Rabiot; Di María, Ibrahimović, Cavani.
Out: Aurier (thigh), Lavezzi (knee), David Luiz (suspended), Pastore (not match fit), Verratti (calf), Douchez (unspecified)

Zlatan on where it all began

Åge Hareide, Malmö coach
Against Real Madrid, some of our players were maybe more focused on swapping shirts with Ronaldo and his team-mates ... It was too big an occasion for some of the players, but I think we have learned from that.

We are looking to win. It will be difficult to get possession against a team like Paris, but when we win the ball we have to attack and play fast. We are good at that type of game. Hopefully the pitch and the snow will make things a bit tougher for Paris.

Laurent Blanc, Paris coach
Of course this will be a big game for Zlatan. We knew that this [draw] would lead to two great and special games for him. We see Zlatan every day and we know that he is a person, not a machine. It is of course fantastic for him to get this chance – so we fully understand that this is unreal for him – but we're aiming to win. We respect Malmö but we want to win. I hope Zlatan and the others can play really well and make this a special game.

You all know what has happened in Paris, so preparations have been difficult. The situation is very particular and of course we have been very moved by what happened. With time everything will be back to something more normal, and I think that is very important. With our shirts [bearing the logo 'Je suis Paris'] we want to show our compassion,  solidarity and love.

©UEFA.com

Weekend results
Malmö
No game

Lorient 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain (Moukandjo 82; Ongenda 26, Matuidi 32)
Making his first appearance of the season, 20-year-old Hervin Ongenda set unbeaten Paris en route to their eighth consecutive Ligue 1 victory.

Vote for your Team of the Year

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Malmö: WLLWWW
Paris: WWLWWD

Reporter's view: Sujay Dutt
Malmö have had their minds on this match ever since the draw set up a long-awaited return for local boy Ibrahimović. They played their last Swedish Allsvenskan game on 31 October, so at least approach this fixture with fresh legs. Recent snowfall over the city also gives them the hope of coping better with the conditions than their visitors. 

Did you know?
Ibrahimović signed for home-town club Malmö in 1996, making his senior debut three years later. He left for Ajax in 2001. Find out more in our match background.

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