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"Even at 39, I can still do the ninja stuff" – Zlatan | Sweden 1-0 Georgia | 2022 WCQ | 2020/21

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Reaction following Sweden's 1-0 win over Georgia in their opening Group B qualifier for the 2022 UEFA World Cup.

The match marked the international return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, back in the yellow and blue of Sweden for the first time since Euro 2016.

Although the 39-year-old AC Milan striker failed to add to his tally of 62 international goals before being replaced by Robin Quaison in the 84th minute, he did provide the assist for Viktor Claesson to score the only goal in the 35th minute.

Friends Arena, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden. 25th March 2021. #2022WCQ #SwedenNationalTeam #ZlatanIbrahimovic

0:00 SOUNDBITE (English): Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden striker:

(Q. How did it feel to be playing for Sweden again in this stadium? What is your assessment of tonight's match and what needs to improve across the team ahead of the next game?)

"The feeling was amazing. I just missed the Swedish crowd, the fans, because the last time I played here was a full stadium. And the atmosphere is different when it's full but the rest was amazing. I was very happy. I was very proud. I had a great feeling when I was on the field and I tried to give my best, like every time, to help the team mates and to help myself to perform. And I think the game was not easy. I don't think we came up in standards where the level is and we were not dangerous as we should be. But at the end of the day, we won and we took the three points that we needed to bring. But things can get better, obviously. This is the first game we have been together for two, three days, and from this point on, it will be better and better."

1:12 SOUNDBITE (English): Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden striker:

(Q. People like myself (English) remember and try to forget what you did here against England in 2012 (scored four goals in 4-2 win, including with spectacular bicycle kick). Could we still see that kind of magic from you again in a Sweden shirt?)

"I think you will never forget this. So no worry about that. But I mean, when I play, I try to do my things. You never know what happens on the field. And there is nothing that I plan to do or think to do before a game, that is just impulsive stuff. I see the situation and I'm trying to do what I think is the best in that situation. So, I mean, I can still do those movements, that ninja stuff. So I still have it in me. Even if I'm thirty nine."

(Reporter: Quite an artistic assist from you today as well)

"Well, it was a good assist and it brought a goal so it was good. I think I could have done more but better that than nothing."

2:04 SOUNDBITE (English): Janne Andersson, Sweden head coach:

"About Zlatan, you can say that he has been with us for two days, two training sessions, so if you look at that, I think he did okay. And I think this game tonight was a frustrating game, as you say. So we take the three points with us and are happy with that. And we have to analyse, of course, and do things much better on Sunday. But we can do that so I'm not worried."

SOURCE: SNTV

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"I am here to get results" – Zlatan | Sweden vs Georgia | 2022 World Cup Qualification | 2020/21

"Even at 39, I can still do the ninja stuff" – Zlatan | Sweden 1-0 Georgia | 2022 WCQ | 2020/21

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