Ibrahimovic test excites Diawara

Marseille’s Souleymane Diawara is motivated by the opportunity to play against ‘world-class’ PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Wednesday.

Marseille’s Souleymane Diawara is motivated by the opportunity to play against ‘world-class’ PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Wednesday.

The two sides clash in a Coupe de France round of 16 match and the 34-year-old Senegalese defender is relishing the chance to pit himself against the former AC Milan and Barcelona striker.

“I like to face world-class players.” Diawara told reporters.

“When you’re defending and you have the chance to play against players like that it sure is motivating.”

Ibrahimovic has scored 22 league goals for the Ligue 1 leaders this season, yet the former Bordeaux defender has no special plans for the 31-year-old Swede.

“If I have the chance to play, for sure I will prepare,” he said.

“But I’m not going to do any special training just for Zlatan.”

Marseille will be hoping the outcome in the second clash of their double header against les Parisiens is different after they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in Ligue 1 on Sunday.