Sweden midfielder Albin Ekdal warned Giorgio Chiellini “can be a swine” on the pitch, “but everyone wants a player like that.”
Both players start in Toulouse for the Euro 2016 clash at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT). Follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
“At Juventus Chiellini treated me, maybe not as a little brother but like a youth team player,” Ekdal told reporters in Sweden.
Sweden midfielder Albin Ekdal warned Giorgio Chiellini “can be a swine” on the pitch, “but everyone wants a player like that.”
Both players start in Toulouse for the Euro 2016 clash at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT). Follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
“At Juventus Chiellini treated me, maybe not as a little brother but like a youth team player,” Ekdal told reporters in Sweden.
“He drove me to training when I didn’t have a driving licence and so on. On the pitch he can be a swine though. He knows that himself, but then everyone wants a player like that.
“We will have to try to wind him up, but he is not an unwise swine. He doesn’t do much off the ball, but he likes to play-act and influence the referees. It’s classic Italian stuff. I guess we will have to try to do the same.”
Ekdal, who also played in Italy for Cagliari, has kinder words for Italy captain Gigi Buffon.
“He is an incredible guy. He is kind and looks after young players all the time. I have only fond memories of him. He is the leader for this Italian team and is incredibly admired, not only in Italy but around the world.
“He spreads love and gets this team going. I think he is incredibly important for Italy.
“We can let them have the ball for a bit, they are not the quickest with the ball. If we get our positioning right then we can defend well and counter-attack.”