Speaking at the 'Mind the Gum', event at the Hotel Gallia, Zlatan Ibrahimovic these following words:
"If I will be in Turin against Juventus? Let's see day by day, it's no secret: I have a tendon problem and I don't risk consequences. I want to keep fit for all season and think I'm not Superman. My problem is that I work too much and I like to suffer."
On Liverpool vs Milan:
"Yesterday for many was the first time in the Champions League, but now they understand what it is and what needs to be done to play there. The team has it all figured out, the whole package. What does it mean to play against the best in Europe and in the world, what pace is there, what quality is there. I'm happy for my teammates, I remember at the end of last season when I asked who had already played in the Champions League: two or three of them raised their hands. I thought it was a joke, but it was true. And then this is the reason to do even more. If you haven't played in the Champions League, you don't know what you've been missing in your career. Even just finishing with the Champions League ball. It gives you another energy, more adrenaline. I'm waiting to play in the Champions League at San Siro with the stadium full, that will be real adrenaline."
On the mental aspect:
"The head is very important. And the head is now there, but the body doesn't always follow me. Unfortunately they don't always get along. But, basically, if you are not prepared with the head, the body will not be there. I think I have given the right mentality to my teammates. They understood what it takes to get where it is needed. But if we finished second last year, it means that something is missing to finish first. The team knows this and works every day to do more and improve. It is only necessary to understand what needs to be done to continue to remain at the top, because we have now reached the top. It takes sacrifice and work, the quality is there. Does Kessie need 'Mind the Gum' before taking penalties? Ah, but he doesn't beat penalties anymore."
On the Super League:
"When Covid arrived, many clubs paid, they didn't count with fans and sponsors. The clubs that have suffered most of all have tried to have a quick payback. But no one thought about asking the players. The first question should have been for us: do you want to play or not? So whoever invented the Superleague has already made a mistake, because I am the player who then has to go out on the pitch."
