Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois may wonder whether he even needs to turn up to face Sweden on Wednesday given his opponent’s dismal attacking record at Euro 2016.
The Swedes have failed to muster a single shot on target in their first two games, a statistic made all the more embarrassing by the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their attack. The team, which has also singularly failed to exploit Ibrahimovic’s presence, is now in danger of a second successive group stage exit.
A draw on Wednesday would send Belgium to the last 16 alongside already-qualified Italy and almost certainly send the Swedes home.
A Swedish win would take it above Belgium and ensure second place providing Ireland did not beat Italy. One of Sweden’s problems has been that Ibrahimovic has often dropped back into midfield so that he is no longer available to receive the ball in attack.
Midfielder Kim Kallstrom’s performances have suggested that, at 33, his role as a box-to-box midfielder is a little ambitious. The Swiss-based player has performed his defensive duties well but has had little to offer in attack.
Winger Emil Forsberg has been largely anonymous in both games.
Sweden is also searching for a suitable partner for Ibrahimovic after neither John Guidetti or Marcus Berg performed the role effectively in the first two matches.
Coach Erik Hamren acknowledged the problem although he did not give any clues about changes. “Of course, I would be happier if we had scored some goals but we do our best,” he said. “We need to be better in offence, of course, if we are going to win the game.”
