Ibra targets another decisive performance

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not be at the top of his physical powers but the bad news for Malta is that the Barcelona player is getting better and better.

The towering forward is gunning for another decisive performance in this evening's qualifier at the National Stadium after hitting a crucial last-minute goal in Sweden's 2-1 win over Hungary last Saturday.

"I'm confident of doing well but it's not because we're playing against Malta," Ibrahimovic yesterday told a news conference at the Corinthia Palace Hotel.

"I'm still not in my best physical condition and the season has only just started. It's never easy to talk before a game but we must do the job on the pitch.

"We do not underestimate Malta because we respect our opponents. We always do everything we can to win, be it an easy match or a difficult one."

Ibrahimovic, who hit four goals when Sweden thrashed Malta 7-0 five years ago and was also on target in the 4-0 win in Gothenburg last June, is delighted to have played the full 90 minutes against Hungary.

"It was only the second time this season that I've played a full match," Ibrahimovic remarked. "I'm not 100 per cent fit but I thought I did better in the second half against Hungary, I was more involved in the game.

"I need more matches to get better but about the football, I'm not worried because I know my qualities."

Fielding a question about his first impressions about Barca, the team he joined from Inter this summer, the 27-year-old said: "I've only been at Barcelona for one month. They play in a different way to what I was used to and the coach has a different mentality. I'm learning something new every day."

Lars Lagerback, the Sweden coach, described today's qualifier as a must-win match for his team.

"The tight situation at the top of the group means that we have to win this one," Lagerback said.

"After the win in Hungary, things look more positive for us and we're looking forward to the match against Malta. I'm confident that if we play well, we will win."

Small teams generally opt for a defensive gameplan when playing the big guns but Lagerback is unsure about Malta's approach.

"Malta have only played two friendly games under the new coach," Lagerback said.

"It's difficult to predict whether Malta will play a defensive game against us because I don't know the philosophy of their coach but I still expect my team to dominate for long spells.

"Michael Mifsud is back for Malta after he missed the match in Sweden (because of suspension). He is a player we know well and for whom we have great respect."

Lagerback has no injury worries and is expected to field the same team as in the Hungary qualifier.