Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed that the current AC Milan squad is stronger than last year’s, setting the target of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League.
Defeats against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen to begin the European campaign were followed up by wins over Club Brugge, Real Madrid and Slovan Bratislava, meaning direct qualification for the last 16 is well within reach with games against Red Star, Girona and Dinamo Zagreb to come.
However, tonight they face a Red Star team that won their last European game 5-1 against Stuttgart and have won all but one league game, amassing a +46 goal difference. Thus, they cannot underestimate their opponents.
Today Ibrahimovic celebrates one year since he returned to Milan for a second time, this time in an advisor role. He spoke to Sky just before kick-off ahead of the game against Red Star at San Siro, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
How are the team doing?
“After the last match we were disappointed, they weren’t happy. They worked during the week, there was a good spirit that grew during the week. They worked well, they are fine.”
Is a spot in the top eight the target?
“The ideal is to win all three so you can immediately enter the top eight and reach the round of 16, skipping the play-offs. We also have a match to play in February against Bologna.
“It’s better to have fewer matches so the players struggle less, so the ideal is to win all the matches. On paper it seems easy, but it isn’t. Every match is difficult and they have to face each match like a final.”
What did you think of Fonseca’s words after the Atalanta game?
“If we talk about referees, they have a great influence on the games. We want to help them and we respect them. The coach was excited, not happy. He let off steam a bit but in the end we respect the referees, not just the four who were on the pitch but all of them.”
What do you like about this Milan?
“I like that the team is stronger than last year, there is more quality and we are not dependent on certain players. What is missing is balance, the continuity of winning games and gaining the confidence to continue with continuity.”
Don’t you still feel like going out on the pitch and helping the team?
“I have to be honest: I feel powerless to help the team on the pitch because with me on the pitch it was something else. Then off the pitch everyone has their own character.
“We try to push and give our best, the important thing is that they don’t leave their comfort zone. The attitude they have to have is important, we are confident and we believe in what we do.”
How much does this Milan miss Thiago Silva (who was alongside Ibrahimovic)?
“He’s needed a lot, when I played with him it seemed like he was an Ibrahimovic in defence. He’s a great player, he’s had a great career, he’s still playing and I advised him to continue as long as he’s well. I’m happy to have played with him, even if he took me away from Milan the first time (laughs).”
