Germany coach Joachim Loew has said stopping Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the key for the hosts in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier while German midfielder Sami Khedira remains an injury doubt.
Real Madrid star Khedira is nursing a thigh strain and Loew has said a decision on his fitness will be taken either on Monday night or Tuesday morning ahead of the Group C clash at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. Should Khedira fail to be fit, Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos is likely to partner Bastian Schweinsteiger in Germany’s defensive midfield role. Having missed Friday’s 6-1 drubbing of Ireland in Dublin through suspension, Germany captain Philipp Lahm returns to the side at right-back and he will be marking Sweden’s Paris St Germain striker Ibrahimovic.
Sweden had to come from behind to beat minnows Faroe Islands 2-1 on Friday after Ibrahimovic popped up with the late winner and Loew says the key to Germany’s plans to pick up a fourth straight qualifier win is to stop the beanpole striker. “He’s a dangerous player, who can decide games on his own and can often find the solution in very difficult situations,” said the 52-year-old Loew.
