Sweden goes 180 minutes without shot on target in Euro 2016

Italy moved into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 after Eder scored two minutes from full time to secure a 1-0 win over Sweden in Toulouse yesterday.

Italy, who are considered dark horses rather than one of the favourites to win the tournament, face Ireland in Group E in Lille on Wednesday, having already beaten Belgium and Sweden without conceding a goal.

The result left Sweden in an uncomfortable position with one point after two games ahead of its final group clash against Belgium next week.

And although he said he relished the chance to play against some former teammates and rivals from Serie A, former Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic cut a dejected figure after the game.

The Italians led 1-0 when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rushed out to punch a ball that had just bounced in the area.

An injury to Mikael Lustig also meant a starting place for Erik Johansson, and overall they improved. They made it hard for us to find width too. “We got into the box at times, but we struggled to create”.

Sweden’s star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic has looked completely lifeless in the last two games, and has no doubt contributed to Sweden’s below par performances.

Sweden, meanwhile, had been unimpressive in their 1-1 draw with Ireland, when only Ciaran Clark’s second-half own goal prevented them falling to defeat.

Italy, who came into the tournament with questions surrounding the strength of their squad, but surprised many with their superb performance against a highly-fancied Belgium side, relied on their trademark, tight defence against the Swedes.

“We need to do the same defensive work like we did today, but we need to be better in attack if we are going to win the game”, he added.

The first-half goal which allowed them to sit back against the Belgians didn’t materialise in Toulouse but it was clear from their lack of ambition in the final third they’d gladly have taken a point until the late intervention.

He said: “I don’t think we are a counter-attacking team”.

“We had a few chances, but we didn’t score, however we played against a team that defends very well, even Belgium didn’t succeed in scoring against Italy”.

“That’s what we have to improve and I can assure you we are doing our best to create those chances”.