La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper published an interview with AC Milan's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Here are his words:
"Expecting to return to play? I'm fine, I'm improving day by day, I'm following the protocol we've given ourselves. Milan miss Ibra but the opposite is also true: Ibra misses Milan. From the outside it's not the same: I'm close to the team in terms of motivation, responsibility, under pressure. I live the match with adrenaline, but I'm used to being on the pitch."
Are you ready for the Super Cup on January 18?
"There is no established date for the return.I'm an expert in injury management, I would be wrong to set a precise date. If it were for my desire, I would have been a starter in the first championship match. But I no longer think like this: when ready, I'll play. I can't go on the pitch just because my name is Ibrahimovic and maybe spend a game walking. If I'm there, I have to score: otherwise it's better to be on the bench or the stands."
Ibrahimovic on the bench? Are you sure?
"Of course, I no longer have the ego I had ten years ago. Today I am different, more mature, more responsible: I place myself at the disposal of the younger players and the coach, he decides. I no longer think I can do everything alone : I respect every choice, even if it doesn't reward me."
New spirit, but always the usual Zlatan: why not retire after lifting the Scudetto trophy?
What are your new goals?
"Everyone. If I'm here it's because I believe in it. Championship, Italian Cup, Super Cup, Champions League: we want everything. Giving up one goal means giving up all of them. And this is no longer our mentality."
Ibrahimovic on the Champions League dream:
"I have no dreams, only goals. Let's leave the dreams to others. Everything is possible, football teaches us that. Things happen that you would never have expected. Look at Morocco at the World Cup. Morocco is strong and Amrabat is really good. Milan have a very, very strong collective. Other teams, and we saw it against Chelsea, maybe they have more individuality and certainly more experience. Our strength is the group. We believe in it, we work for this: we are more mature, more aware, we have more players who can make a difference today. And whoever was there last year now knows what it takes to win."
On the chase in the Scudetto race and a possible comeback to the top of the league table:
" At the moment we are second. Napoli are strong. Kvaratskhelia is the player who impressed me the most. But Juve are also returning and Inter are in the running. But we are here. In addition, this is a year too particular with the winter break and the World Cup played in between: it will be a more conditional and less quality championship. And from my long experience of winning the Scudetto, I know that the second half of the season is always decisive."
What is the difference between this Milan and the one of two and a half years ago?
"My first day of January 2020 was all different. It didn't seem like a team that wanted to aspire to the Scudetto or that was inclined to do what they then did. Today they are hungry with desire and spirit of sacrifice. And one goal: to win. Back then there were many individuals, but now there is one group. Pioli was very good at getting everyone to follow him: his ideas were successful, his work is credible and convincing."
Will Ibrahimovic be ready for the Super Cup against Lukaku or in the Champions League to look for the "oldest" goal in the history of the competition:
"I hope to be on the pitch against Inter but who knows. Lukaku? Nothing to say to him, I hope he's well and that he can be there. For the rest, I'm thinking about myself, not the others: they must be afraid And the record in the Champions League doesn't interest me. I'm only interested in scoring."
Did you pass your secret to Giroud who is doing very well now?
"Actually he will never say it but I'm his idol... Olivier is great, he's fundamental for us. He was very important last year, when I wasn't there, and he's decisive again this year. And Just as he does well with Milan, the same happens with France. He's a fantastic person, serious, elegant. And an excellent professional. He's someone else who has his goals very clear: he knows he can still determine, and he's going forward. If he weren't more convinced, he'd take a step back."
Do you advise Leao to remain at Milan?
"Of course. Milan is the right environment for him. Just look at his growth: when he arrived he was far from the decisive player he is today. Here he is very important for us, would he be just as important elsewhere? He would have to start from scratch, you can't be sure he's ready right away. At Milan, he has confidence, space and freedom, something that isn't taken for granted in another club: it depends on you. And then you can see that he's happy here: now he's laughing even before scoring."
Can Leao reaches Ibra's level?
"He's the young man who has grown the most. Theo has improved a lot, De Ketelaere is strong and patience is needed. But Leao is on another level, above average. He's missing a step: he will only do it when he's fully convinced of his capacity. Today not even he really knows how strong he is. Then he will be really scary. And the price will go up."
Do you say anything to Leao to motivate him further?
"When he's doing well, he's a total massacre: he doesn't have to be satisfied with what he's doing. It's too easy to compliment him when things go great, or tell him you're bad when they go badly: I play the opposite game with him. But I talk to everyone, it depends on the moment and that remains a secret. I don't have a script prepared: Pioli knows it, he stays in his locker room and gives me a few minutes to talk to my teammates, so I let off steam."
Will you think about being a coach in the future, Ibrahimovic?
"Why am I not already a coach today? Seriously, I don't think about it now. Coaching is a great responsibility. And having been great players does not automatically guarantee that you will become great coaches. It wasn't for Zidane or Guardiola and it wouldn't be for Ibrahimovic. There are no advantages, you need study and work, step by step."
