Sweden recently welcomed their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to the starting line-up, but it was not enough to get a win against Montenegro in the Euro 2016 qualifying match. Sweden came into the match with a really tough three points in order to stay in touch with table leaders Austria.
These latest dropped points have resulted in Austria opening a four-point advantage, although Sweden still remain in the automatic qualification spot. They could have put a significant gap between them and the likes of Russia and Montenegro. As it is, the team will be hoping for a return to form when they take on France in a friendly.
Ibrahimovic is regarded as the greatest Swedish players ever. He is the national team’s record goalscorer, but the Paris St Germain forward has been struggling with injuries this campaign.
This has seen him unable to feature in the last few qualifying matches. He did start against Montenegro and asserted his authority by scoring in the ninth minute. For long periods of the match, it looked like Sweden would be getting the much needed three points, but Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic had other ideas. His penalty 10 minutes before the final whistle gave the home team a point.
"I was worried about Ibrahimovic's injury but he managed to play the whole game. We had Ibrahimovic back after two months' absence and we had to exploit that, but we didn't.I am disappointed with the result. We took an early lead, then controlled the game. In the second half we hit the post.At the end of the day I am not satisfied with how my defence performed. Only when we conceded the equaliser did we go on the attack, but it was too late," said the Sweden boss. Sweden are now one point ahead of Russia in the table.