Highlights

Ibrahimovic has bad technique for good player

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-28 09:53

Ibrahimovic has bad technique for good player

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes part in a training session at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona April 27, 2010. Barcelona and Inter Milan will play their Champions League semi-final match on Wednesday. [Photo/Agencies]

STOCKHOLM - Sweden and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has "good technique for a bad player, bad technique for a good player," according to Dutch great Johan Cruyff.

"You have to get more out of the qualities you have," the former Barcelona player and coach and the club's honorary president said in an interview in the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet.

"You have to be effective," Cruyff added in a reference to the striker, "especially if you come to a big club from another country. The biggest and hardest steps are the mental ones."

Ibrahimovic, who is expected to lead Sweden's attack at the World Cup in South Africa in June, joined the European champions from Inter Milan in July in a swap deal with Samuel Eto'o.

Cruyff praised Cameroon striker Eto'o for his ability to switch from attack to defence.

"That is one of the details Ibrahimovic must learn because if you lose the ball as a forward in Italy it makes no difference," said the Dutch maestro.

"But if you lose the ball as a forward at Barcelona you're the first one to get running."

Barcelona trail Inter 3-1 going into Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp.

Cruyff said he was confident his side could overturn their deficit and took a swipe at Inter coach Jose Mourinho.

"Mourinho is a good coach but I don't like the way he coaches," he said.

"I'm a bigger fan of coaches like (Frank) Riijkaard, (Barcelona's Pep) Guardiola -- gentlemen. I think this sport is about something more than just winning."