Xavi ponders Ibrahimović menace

Xavi Hernández has urged his team-mates to keep "a close eye" on Zlatan Ibrahimović as Sweden travel to Spain for a crucial Group F qualifier on Saturday.

Dangerous presence
The FC Barcelona midfielder has been impressed by what he has seen of the FC Internazionale Milano striker and is eager for his team-mates to keep him under control as the top two sides in Group F meet in Madrid on Saturday. "He is a player that can make a difference," he said. "His physique doesn't cancel out his talent and technique and we know we have to keep a close eye on him."

Solna defeat
A 2-0 defeat in Sweden in their third qualifying game fanned flames of discontent in Spain, coming hard on the heels of a 3-2 defeat in Northern Ireland, and Xavi felt lessons had to be learned from the first leg. "They played us comfortably after scoring an early goal and that threw us off balance," he said. "Sweden are a tidy side in attack and in defence."

Final outcome
A win for Spain would see them qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™, while a draw between Northern Ireland and Denmark in another crucial Group F game would send both sides at the Santiago Bernabéu through to the finals regardless of the outcome of their respective last games on 21 November. However, defeat for Spain could leave them needing to avoid another loss in a potentially uncomfortable final-day tie against Northern Ireland.

Nervous moments
Daniel Güiza, the 27th uncapped player to join the Spain squad under coach Luis Aragonés, has more reason than most to be on edge. "I am feeling a bit nervous about my debut and because I'm also about to become a father," said the RCD Mallorca player. "I speak to my girlfriend every day and she has told me to calm down. My team-mates are incredible so I hope I can play with them for a few minutes."