MILAN (AP) – Zlatan Ibrahimović broke the 500-goal mark in his club career, scoring a brace for his Milan to beat Crotone 4-0 on Sunday to regain the Serie A lead.
The 39-year-old Swedish forward is in his second cycle with Milan. He has also played with Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and LA Galaxy, among other clubs, during a long career full of trophies.
“It means that I have scored a lot of goals in my career, but what is important is to be able to continue to help the team in the best possible way,” said Ibrahimović. “My role is to score goals and generate scoring chances. “
Ibrahimović put Milan in the lead in the 30th minute with his 500th career club goal and increased that number in the second half. Ante Rebić netted a brace in less than a minute shortly thereafter.
“If you look at how he (Ibrahimović) prepares, how he trains, it shouldn’t be surprising. He’s a champion, ”said Milan coach Stefano Pioli.” It takes a lot to keep up with everything he does. When he’s ready he’ll still score two goals for you. “
“He continues to contribute to the growth of the team,” he added.
The victory left the Rossoneri with a two-point lead over Inter Milan, who beat Fiorentina 2-0 on Friday. The two Milanese clubs will meet in two weeks.
Lazio moved closer to the top four in the standings with a 1-0 home win over defeated Cagliari.
Crotone has appeared at the San Siro at the bottom of the table, and now has six losses in his last seven games.
Ibrahimović opened the scoring after hitting a wall with Rafael Leão and ending with a slanting shot.
The Goal 501 may have been one of the easiest of his career as he found himself alone in front of the frame to push the low cross from Theo Hernández.
It was in the 64th minute and Crotone completely collapsed. Rebić scored at 69 and 70 to finish the game.
IMMOBILE, BEST SCORER
Ciro Immobile aims to be the top scorer in the Italian league for the second consecutive season.
Immobile scored in the 61st minute the goal that gave Lazio the victory. It was his 14th goal of the season, tying Ibrahimović for second in the gunboats table, two behind Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus.
Immobile scored 36 goals last season, in which he also won the European Golden Boot.
Lazio tied Roma in points, but below their neighbor City in goals scored.
Cagliari ranks 18th, at one point of salvation.
Parma are two points behind after losing 3-0 to Bologna, which knocked eight units out of the relegation zone.
OTHER RESULTS
With scores in the final, Udinese beat Hellas Verona 2-0 to stay out of relegation
Seven minutes to go, Verona goalkeeper Marco Silvestri threw the ball into his own net as he tried to repel a Gerard Deulofeu shot. The former Barcelona player finished as a scorer in the discounts to condemn a result that left Udinese nine points above the red zone.
Benevento is one point behind Udinese after drawing 1-1 with Sampdoria.
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