Swedes plan Spanish counter

Ljungberg aiming to hit Euro opponents on the break

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 13th June 2008

West Ham United Freddie ljungberg Sweden

Ljungberg: Game plan

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Freddie Ljungberg is hoping that Sweden keep things tight in their Euro 2008 Group D clash with Spain on Saturday.

Both sides got off to a winning start on Tuesday, with Sweden seeing off reigning champions Greece 2-0 and Spain inflicting a 4-1 mauling on Russia.

The performance of Luis Aragones' side has singled them out as realistic challengers for the title and Sweden skipper Ljungberg admits that his side can ill afford to be too adventurous against their attack-minded opponents.

"For us the important thing is when we get the ball we have to be patient, use our pace, technique and passing ability to counter against them," he said.

"In general Spanish teams are better going forward than defending, they enjoy it more when they go forward.

"We need to (counter) very well, not concede and then attack when we get the ball."

Unsurprisingly, Ljungberg sees Liverpool striker Fernando Torres as the Spaniards' dangerman and was impressed by how quickly the Reds' ace settled into life in England following his switch from Atletico Madrid last summer.

"Torres is a brilliant player," he said.

"It's his first season in England and normally it takes some time to adapt to the more physical game but he's done really well and I have to applaud him for that."

Deserved

While fearing the attacking talents of Torres, the West Ham winger understands why his former Arsenal team-mate Cesc Fabregas has struggled to force his way into Aragones' first-team plans.

"We will wait and see if Cesc plays," added Ljungberg.

"He's a great player but there are a lot in Spain and I'm not the guy to judge who should play and shouldn't.

"They left Raul at home and he's quite good too. They played really well (against Russia) when he (Cesc) wasn't on the pitch and when he was they played really well too. I think he's a great player."

Meanwhile, Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has justified his decision to recall 37-year-old striker Henrik Larsson, a man who has retired from international football on two occasions.

"The reason Henrik is back is because he deserves his place," he said.

"We played him from the start in the last game. If you're from Spain then you've seen him at Barcelona, he's an excellent player, he can link the game and get other players to play well both offensively and defensively.