Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 15 goals in 19 Serie A matches last season after missing half of the league’s matches due to injuries and suspensions. C More’s expert Vicki Blommé gives her view on Zlatan’s comeback and season premiere for Milan this weekend.
– I still see him as one of Serie A’s best strikers without a doubt, she says.
How long-awaited is Zlatan’s season premiere for Milan as a team?
– Of course, it is long-awaited, but with the signing of Giroud, there has been a replacement who can be responsible for the same tasks in the game that Zlatan has had. There, Milan have been smart to have two players there given their age. Zlatan missed half of all matches last season, but it is clear that he is needed and that he has been missing. It also fits very well that Zlatan is back now that Giroud was covid-positive.
What are your expectations for Zlatan this season?
– It is difficult to set a goal or requirement because you do not know how his physical status is anymore. This season, too, may be damaged. However, I have high expectations of him when he is one hundred percent and plays.
What are your expectations for Milan this season? Do you see that they can win any title?
– I do not think so and I do not think that is the goal either. The player squad of course wants to win every match and aim for a title, but the realistic goal picture must be to reach the top 4. I think they aim to go to the Champions League again and in this way continue to build their squad. It needs to be both sharpened and widened to establish itself as a Champions League team again after so many years away. That is the most important thing for Milan as a club right now and to continue on the right path. But they’re a challenger to Scudetton, absolutely.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli has claimed that Zlatan works really well together with Giroud at the top. Do you agree?
– I think they can do that. There will be matches where you want to get the ball up there with longer balls. Especially against teams like Liverpool that Milan face in the Champions League. I think it can be very effective and that they can have a very good collaboration. There has been a lot of discussion about whether to go over to the two in front and use Brahim Díaz trailing behind them. I think Pioli will test Zlatan and Giroud together. However, it has worked well with only one forward on the field and I think it is important to be able to vary considering their age. It all depends on which players Milan has available.
Now that the national team break has been, how do you see Zlatan in today’s national team? How well does he fit in with Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski?
– He would certainly fit well with the two up there. We notice that class players, like all three, work well together. It is important to find a formation where you get a lot out of all three. I absolutely think you can do that. Kulusevski is very versatile and can start from several positions in the attack. I hope we get to see all three together.
Milan will face Lazio at 18.00 on Sunday night. The match will be broadcast on C More.
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