World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Mar 22, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Sweden
0-0
Rep. Ireland Republic of Ireland

Giovanni Trapattoni: 'We'll deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: March 18 2013 | 22:31

Last updated: March 19 2013 | 08:31

Trapattoni: 'We'll deal with Ibrahimovic'

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is "very confident" that his side will be able to cope with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when they take on Sweden on Friday.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has backed his players to deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when his side take on Sweden in Friday's World Cup qualifier.

Ibrahimovic has scored 39 goals in 86 appearances for his country, including two in the current campaign to help Sweden to second in Group C.

The 31-year-old has also scored 31 goals in 36 matches for Paris Saint-Germain so far this season, but Trapattoni believes that his players will be able to cope with the striker.

"Zlatan is Zlatan, but I am very confident in our players," said the veteran manager.

"I have seen their confidence this morning, and you just have to look at the game against Poland because the balance and the commitment and the technical ability that they showed, all of that makes me very, very confident.

"I know how he is playing at the moment for his club, but I have to think about our balance and how our strikers can put them under pressure too."

Ireland are currently third in their World Cup qualifying group, one point behind Friday's opponents.