++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++
How many times do I have to go over this?
Ibrahimovic is kept on all the time because, even though he might not be playing well, he can still hold up the ball and win 50/50 ariel challenges better than any player on our team.
As the matches go on we tend to resort to high balls up to our forwards, usually because we have the lead and try to pack the defense in. Since we play long balls up to our forwards Del Piero is left stranded most of the time because he cannot win ariel challenges with his back towards goal. So since we resort to long balls and Del Piero cannot do much with those, Capello brings on a more capable player in this situation- the big, strong Zalayeta. The latter can win air balls and trouble a tired defense with his strength. Zlatan is kept on because he can always trouble a defense with his strength and air power even when he is not on his game.
Don't tell me to explain this to you guys again. This shit is as clear as day as far as I'm concerned.