Ibrahimovic needs freedom – Ljungberg

Former Sweden winger believes that Zlatan Ibrahimovic can play an important role in his final appearance at the European Championship although he needs freedom to express himself.

The Swedes, who are priced at 7.00 to win Group E, have been handed a tough draw at Euro 2016 and will have their work cut out to progress through a group containing Belgium, Italy and the Republic of Ireland.

Erik Hamren’s men open their campaign against Ireland on June 13 before facing Belgium and Italy in what could prove to be must-win matches on June 17 and June 22 respectively. Ibrahimovic is the key figure in Sweden’s ranks and the 34-year-old is unlikely to feature again at a European Championship.

The out-of-contract player, who is weighing up his domestic future with Manchester United understood to be keen, will carry a lot of the responsibility for the national side, according to Ljungberg. Ibrahimovic is the nation’s top scorer at European finals with six goals in 10 games while he has netted 62 goals in 112 international appearances since making his debut in 2001. Ljungberg feels the striker can inspire Sweden in France.

“He’s the biggest player in the team and a lot hangs on him to score our goals,” Ljungberg said. “That’s how he plays, so it’s very important for Sweden that he has a good tournament in order for us to progress. “We have a lot of other players who don’t get as much attention who are doing the work at the back and covering up, so he can have that freedom to express himself, which is important for us or we might get cut open at the back. “They don’t always get the headlines but they are just as important to the team.”