Allbäck at the ready

Marcus Allbäck, 32, is increasingly likely to play an important role for Sweden if Zlatan continues to missfire.

Reports in the press today suggested that Zlatan’s training session was farcical with the tall striker missing the target time and time again.

Although it’s highly unlikley Lars Lagerbäck will drop Zlatan, he may well lose faith with the big striker if we’re still level on Saturday with half an hour or so to go and bring on Marcus Allbäck.

Despite an uneven spell at Aston Villa before moving to FC Copenhagen last year, Allbäck has proved over the last season that he remains a striker who can deliever. He was top scorer in the Danish league this year and won a championship medal with his side. Even in the national team he has a better goal average than Zlatan but, more importantly, of all the Swedish strikers he appears to be the most calm at present. What’s more, at 32, he’s enjoying his football like he’s never done so before, and scoring like it was second nature.

Zlatan, in contrast, is going through one of his infamous petulant stages and doesn’t look happy. Mind you, with the expectation of the whole country on his shoulders, who can blame him.

No matter how Zlatan plays, I am convinced Allbäck will be used throughout the tournament. With his muscular frame and old-fashioned route one striker instincts Allbäck could be Sweden’s surprise of the tournament. He’s definitely a player to watch.