Diawara relishes Ibrahimovic test

27-Feb-2013 4:00:00 AM

The Marseille defender has said he is looking forward to facing the Swedish striker in Wednesday's Coupe de France match against PSG, but won't be preparing any differently

Marseille’s Souleymane Diawara says he is motivated by the opportunity to play against ‘world-class’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Wednesday’s Coupe de France round of 16 match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The 34-year-old Senegalese defender has only made 11 first-team appearances this season but would relish 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.