Italy national team star Danielle De Rossi is thankful that his side will not have to face off against Zlatan Ibrahimovic as they prepare to face off against Sweden in a World Cup qualification playoff on Friday.

The Azzurri travel to Sweden for the first leg which will be held in Stockholm on Friday, while the return leg will be held at the San Siro on Monday.

Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic is widely regarded as being the greatest ever footballer that Sweden has produced and he retired from international duty following the Euro 2016 Championships.

"I'd never want Ibra against me, not even at 40 years and with a broken leg," said De Rossi.

"The fact that there's no Ibrahimovic is an advantage for anyone who has to face them.

"It's not that the rest of them are unknown to us though, we know them because some of them play in Italy and others play in important European leagues."