Italy picked up, perhaps, the most impressive win of the first round of group stage matches, seeing off a Belgium side, ranked the highest in Europe, in emphatic fashion to start their Euro 2016 campaign in style. Next up for Antonio Conte's men is Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden, with a second win, pretty much, guaranteeing their place in the last 16.
Not too many picked Italy for the title at the start of the tournament, but the team that, more often than not, do well in major tournaments, showed just how well-drilled a unit they are in the 2-0 victory over Belgium. While the Belgians disappointed in that match, not for one moment did Italy look out of control, and keeping that control will be the plan as Italy play Sweden in Toulouse on Friday.
"Northern teams in general don't give anything away," Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon told UEFA's official website. "In order to win you have always to play a great match. If you play well you draw, if you play just decently you lose.
"Therefore, we have to be able to play good football and to keep the attitude we showed against Belgium."
In order to get the tactics right, Conte is expected to make at least one change to his starting XI, despite the team doing so well against Belgium. Matteo Darmian, the fullback, is expected to make way for Mattia de Sciglio. There is also a chance that Alessandro Florenzi could come in at midfield for Marco Parolo.
However, the most important facet for Italy, again, will be the three centre-backs. The Juventus trio – Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini -- were outstanding against Belgium, and they will need to be at their best again to stop Ibrahimovic. Two of the three centre-backs, though, will be a little hamstrung, after picking up a yellow card in the win over Belgium. Another one against Sweden, and Chiellini and Bonucci will be suspended for the final Group E match against the Republic of Ireland. Also in danger of a suspension for Italy are Eder and Thiago Motta.
Sweden only have Victor Lindelof in that one-yellow-card-and-it-is-a-suspension category, while Mikael Lustig is a doubtful starter with a groin injury. If Lustig, who had to be taken off because of the injury right at the end of the first half against Ireland, is ruled out for this match, Lindelof is expected to move to right-back, making way for Erik Johansson to partner Andreas Granqvist in the middle, with Martin Olsson, so impressive in the first match, staying at left-back.
Sweden's entire fortunes, yet again, resting on Ibrahimovic's shoulders. Ibrahimovic was on hand to force an own goal from Ciaran Clark and rescue his country a point against Ireland, but for the most part, the big man was kept quiet by the Irish defence.
The Italians know all about the dangers posed by Ibrahimovic, having played with and against him in the Serie A several times in the past, and it remains to be seen if that familiarity ends up being a positive for which camp.
Ibrahimovic is expected to have a different strike partner for this game, with Markus Berg failing to impress against Ireland. As a result, John Guidetti is expected to come in.
Expected starting XI: Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Antonio Candreva, Marco Parolo, Daniele De Rossi, Emanuele Giaccherini, Mattia De Sciglio; Graziano Pelle, Eder.
Sweden: Andreas Isaksson; Victor Lindelof, Andreas Granqvist, Erik Johansson, Martin Olsson; Sebastian Larsson, Oscar Lewicki, Kim Kallstrom, Emil Forsberg; John Guidetti, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
