Former Atalanta midfielder comments on the playoff drawing
SWEDEN ITALY EXCLUSIVE WORLD CUP STROMBERG / Those who grew up in the 80s remember his long blond hair. Glenn Peter Stromberg has been the captain and undisputed leader of Mondonico's Atalanta, the team that reached the Coppa Italia semifinals in 1987/1988 even if in that period it was playing in Serie B.
The Swedish midfielder played in Italy for eight years and Calciomercato.it, exclusively interviewed him to talk about the playoff between Sweden and Italy.
Stromberg is currently working for the Swedish media company 'Viasat' and he confirms that Sweden believes in the qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I am sure that both teams are not happy with this drawing. Italy is a very dangerous team. Swedish fans look at the history and traditions of the Italian national team and there's a bit of pessimism for the final result. Although supporters are not happy to play against the Azzurri, the federation, the coach, and the players know that they can make it. They know that it is going to be a difficult match but not impossible. Both teams have similar qualities and these two matches can be decided by episodes.”
Sweden lost its real star Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Stromberg is not worried about that.
“Without Ibrahimovic, the single star is not important anymore, the team is what counts the most. They have to make the difference playing altogether.”
2018 World Cup, Stromberg believes that the real danger is Forsberg
Sweden can count on a few remarkable players at this time.
“Forsberg plays on the left side and Marcus Berg is the striker. Leipzig's winger could do well in Italy as well. Technically and tactically he is very good and he is able to score goals as well.”
The Italian fans have the 2-2 between Sweden and Denmark that eliminated Italy from the 2004 European Cup still in mind. However, Stromberg preferred not to speak about that.
“When a final result could be good for both teams it's very easy for it to come out. This is something that happens in North Europe, Mediterranean, or America.”
This story is closed. Now both teams need to work hard and perform well to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
