Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the 500-mark for career club goals with a brace on Sunday as AC Milan held top spot in Serie A with a 4-0 win over lowly Crotone.
Milan moved back two points ahead of city rivals Inter Milan who had pulled ahead after a 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Friday, with champions Juventus a further five points back in third after beating Roma by the same scoreline on Saturday.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring on the half hour at the San Siro after combining with Rafael Leao for his 500th club strike.
And the Swede brought his tally to 501 in the 64th minute, finishing off a Theo Hernandez cross for his 83rd Milan goal.
“It’s difficult to be surprised by Ibrahimovic,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli of the 39-year-old who is powering his team’s bid for a first ‘Scudetto’ since 2011.
AC Milan are ‘not fully satisfied’ after holding Parma to a 2-2 draw in Sunday’s Serie A outing, according to Franck Kessie.
The Rossoneri were shocked at the San Siro after goals from Hernani and Jasmin Kurti in the 13th and 56th minutes respectively gave Parma a 2-0 lead but the hosts showed resilience to secure a point and keep their unbeaten start to the 2020-21 league season intact.
Theo Hernandez was the hero for Milan as his brace saved the leaders from defeat in stoppage time.
Kessie who played the entire 90 minutes, assessed the team’s performance and called for improved results when they battle Genoa, Sassuolo and Lazio before the winter break.
“We created a lot of chances but we didn’t make them count. When you miss a lot of chances, it is normal that you pay the price later,” Kessie told Milan TV.
“We left the pitch today feeling not fully satisfied, but we still have to work hard, there are three games before Christmas. We have to face these three games by putting in our best performance, the same way we started the season.”
The Ivory Coast international also praised the Rossoneri’s fighting spirit as a beautiful thing.
“This is the most beautiful aspect,” he said. “We didn’t give up until the final whistle, not even when we had just two minutes left to play. We believed and ultimately got a point which is important, but today we wanted to take all three points but this is Serie A.”
“Theo is very strong. Today he showed what he always does. Today he scored two goals, he always plays at the same high level.”
Former Arsenal forward Gervinho was also in action from start to finish for Parma while Algeria’s Ismael Bennacer was forced off with a suspected thigh injury in the 75th minute.
Franck Kessie has revealed AC Milan’s target is to qualify for the Uefa Champions League this season after they defeated Sampdoria 2-1 in a Serie A match on Sunday.
The Ivory Coast midfielder opened the scoring for the Rossoneri on the stroke of half-time with his effort from the penalty spot.
Sunday’s goal was Kessie’s fourth league goal of the season after 10 games, equalling the goal record he managed in the entire 2019-20 Serie A season in 35 matches.
Samu Castillejo later sealed the victory for the visitors in the 77th minute as Albin Ekdal’s effort failed to inspire Sampdoria’s comeback.
The victory stretched AC Milan’s dominance at the summit of the Serie A table to 26 points from 10 matches with a five-point lead above second-placed Inter Milan.
However, Kessie disclosed Milan’s ambition is to return to the elite European tournament in which they last featured in the 2013-14 season.
“We have an amazing group, we knew the game would be tough but we fought until the end,” the 23-year-old told Sky Italia via Milan Live.
“It’s not easy to play without two experienced players like them [Simon Kjaer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic], but we did what the coach told us to take the three points home.
“Our target is to qualify for the Champions League. We can’t lose our heads and continue like this, the dream is to get a Champions League placement.”
AC Milan were knockout of the Champions League in 2014 by Atletico Madrid following a 5-1 aggregate loss in the Round of 16.
They returned to the Uefa Europa League this season after they were banned last season for breaching Uefa Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Stefano Pioli’s side have already advanced to the last-32 stage of the Europa League but they will aim to finish their Group H campaign on a high on when they travel to Czech Republic to battle Sparta Prague on Thursday.
Daniele Bonera felt AC Milan showed their team spirit is strong even without Zlatan Ibrahimovic after their Europa League draw with Lille on Thursday.
The Rossoneri took the lead in France through Samu Castillejo but were pegged back through a goal from Jonathan Bamba 19 minutes later.
The Serie A leaders, beaten 3-0 by Lille in the previous Group H game, restricted the hosts to just 42 per cent of the ball only to concede from their only shot on target of the second half.
Similarly, AC Milan found the net with their one effort on goal in the 90 minutes, as the absence of the injured Ibrahimovic appeared to take its toll.
The 39-year-old, who sustained a hamstring injury after scoring a double in the 3-1 win at Napoli, has scored 12 goals in as many games in all competitions this season.
Still, Milan have won six and drawn four of their 10 games without Ibrahimovic in 2020, and Bonera says that level of resolve was once again apparent against Lille.
“This is the strong identity we now have in all of us. We’re happy with the work the boys do every day. It’s just a shame about the result tonight,” said the assistant coach, who is deputising for head coach Stefano Pioli while he self-isolates after a positive coronavirus test.
“We showed even before this match that the group was able to make up for his absence. He is such an important player, but the spirit of this team is always the same, with or without Ibra.”
Young playmaker Sandro Tonali was also frustrated that AC Milan could not hold onto three points, but he said they proved they could play well without their main striker.
“We deserved to take the lead. We didn’t dominate but we held onto the ball like a great team, and that’s our biggest regret – not being able to win,” he said.
“Playing with Ibra certainly helps; with a champion like him, it’s always easier. But we have to play well even without him and we’ve shown we can play as a great team.”
The result leaves AC Milan second in the group after four games, a point behind leaders Lille and one ahead of Sparta Prague.
Napoli head coach Gennaro Gattuso believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic is better now than he was 10 to 12 years ago following his match-winning display for AC Milan.
Ibrahimovic scored twice as Milan returned to the top of the Serie A standings with a 3-1 win over 10-man Napoli on Sunday.
Evergreen AC Milan star Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score at least 10 goals in the first eight Serie A matchdays, the 39-year-old surpassing Lazio’s Silvio Piola (29 years old in 1942-43) for the record.
Ibrahimovic – who struck in the 20th and 54th minutes before hobbling off with injury – also matched Gunnar Nordahl for second-most Serie A goals from the first eight games played of a season by a Milan player, only adrift of Marco Van Basten (12 in 1992-93).
Gattuso played alongside Ibrahimovic at AC Milan between 2010-12 – the pair helping the Rossoneri to their last Scudetto in 2011 – and the former hailed the veteran.
“Milan believe firmly in Ibra, they believe 100 per cent in what they are doing,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia. “He seems I think even stronger now than he was 10, 12 years ago.
“They put the crosses in because they know he’ll get on the end of them. What we did today was create lots of chances and not believe in them fully.
“It’s about mentality. Football is about helping each other out, clubbing together, having a kind, reassuring word for your team-mate when they’re struggling.
“There are too many people who act like professors, who want to teach you everything. This hurts me.”
AC Milan, two points clear of high-flying Sassuolo, have collected at least 20 points from the first eight matchdays for the second time in the three points for a win era – the Italian powerhouse also achieved the feat in 2003-04 as they went on to secure the Scudetto.
Napoli are six points off the pace in sixth position, having lost two of their past three Serie A fixtures and next face Rijeka in Europa League action on Thursday.
Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, is a now a doubt to feature in AC Milan’s next Europa League clash against Lille.
Schalke have confirmed AC Milan’s interest in Liverpool-linked defender Ozan Kabak.
Kabak has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in European football since moving to Schalke from Stuttgart for €15 million (£14m/$18m) in June 2019.
The 20-year-old signed a five-year contract at Veltins-Arena, and has since racked up 30 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring three goals.
It has been reported that Liverpool have opened talks with Schalke over a possible deal for Kabak, who has a €45m (£41m/$53m) release clause in his contract which will become active next summer.
However, the German club have already turned down an approach for a prized asset from another high-profile potential suitor, with Milan told the centre-back was not for sale towards the end of the last transfer window.
Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider told WAZ of the Rossoneri’s attempt to sign Kabak: “Milan knocked at the very end of the transfer period in the summer, which was out of the question for us.”
The Turkey international is currently serving a five-game suspension after being punished for spitting in the direction of Ludwig Augustinsson during a 3-1 defeat to Werder Bremen on September 26.
Kabak was sent off in the second half after receiving two yellow cards, and although the referee missed the incident with Augustinsson, the German Football Association took retrospective action against him for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
The former Stuttgart star is set to sit out a DFB Cup first-round clash against Schweinfurt on Tuesday, but will be available for selection again when Schalke take in a trip to Mainz on Saturday.
Schneider is looking forward to seeing Kabak back on the pitch, having seen the defender establish himself as a key member of the squad since returning from lockdown.
AC Milan extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table temporarily to four points with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Udinese on Sunday.
It seemed as though it was going to be a smooth ride for Milan when Franck Kessie gave the Rossoneri a first half lead with a fantastic strike that rattled in off the crossbar, however a penalty gave Udinese the chance to level shortly after the break and they did so as Rodrigo De Paul tucked it away.
Inside the final 10 minutes though, Zlatan Ibrahimovic came up with the decisive contribution as his bicycle kick from close range sealed a vital three points for Milan.
The result means that Milan move on to 16 points from their opening six games, four points above Atalanta in second albeit with Napoli in third having a game in hand.
Stefano Pioli made a number of changes compared to the starting XI that beat Sparta Praha 3-0 on Thursday night, as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Theo Hernandez, Franck Kessie, Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu and Rafael Leao all took their place in the line-up again.
Donnarumma was the first goalkeeper called into action although it wasn’t from a shot. Instead, a ball rolled across the face of goal from Pussetto was well cut out by the 21-year-old, who sprawled to prevent danger.
The Milan goalkeeper was again tasted a couple of minutes later when Gerard Deulofeu found space to shoot on the left edge of the box, but thankfully his effort was straight at the Italy international.
Milan’s first chance came in the 10th minute as a teasing ball from Leao on the left found Saelemaekers inside the box, but the Belgian could not divert his volley goalwards with the ball instead glancing off his foot and wide of the far post.
In the 18th minute though, the Rossoneri did take the lead. In truth the goal was made by Zlatan Ibrahimovic; the Swede taking the ball down brilliantly inside the box and holding off his man before rolling the ball into the path of Franck Kessie who thundered his effort in off the crossbar from the penalty spot.
Deulofeu had another chance to score against his former employers not long after the goal as the Bianconeri outnumbered Milan on the counter, however the Spaniard fired well over when fed with a through ball on the left wing.
The game then slowed down in pace and became quite scrappy with not much quality on display from either side, but Udinese did have appeals for a penalty waved away just before the break as Okaka thought he had been fouled by Ibrahimovic while trying to pounce on a loose ball, though the replay showed that it was more just incidental.
Two minutes into the second half though, the home side were awarded a spot kick, and like the Roma one on Monday night it was a real head scratcher. Pussetto went down in the box under a challenge from Romagnoli but it seemed that the Milan captain clearly got a touch on the ball, however VAR was not consulted and De Paul thumped the penalty past Donnarumma.
Ten minutes into the second half Milan had their own penalty shout as a counter-attack ended with Kessie’s shot being blocked into the path of Ibrahimovic who was clattered by Musso, however the striker was in an offside position.
A double change followed immediately after as Bennacer and Saelemaekers made way for Sandro Tonali and Brahim Diaz, but it didn’t seem to have a great deal of impact as both teams became very scrappy in their play.
With 20 minutes to go Pioli made two more changes to try and force the game a bit more, with Diogo Dalot and Ante Rebic coming on for Calabria and Rafael Leao.
The chances for both teams completely dried up, with the only shot on goal after the substitutions up until the 80 minute mark being a De Paul effort that was way over the bar when he could and should have done better.
Just as it seemed that the game was meandering towards a 1-1 draw, Milan found a second goal. A ball into the area caused panic as it dropped on the edge of the six yard box, and Musso’s indecisiveness cost him as Ibrahimovic was on hand to finish with a bicycle kick of sorts.
Pioli made one more change in the final few moments to try and close the game out, with Calhanoglu making way for Rade Krunic.
A stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Juventus at 10-man AC Milan on Thursday in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.
Ante Rebic’s volley gave the hosts a deserved lead after 61 minutes, following a string of good saves from veteran Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
But Stefano Pioli’s side were reduced to 10 men for the final 18 minutes when defender Theo Hernandez was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Paulo Dybala.
Juventus were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which showed that a Ronaldo scissor kick had struck the arm of Milan defender Davide Calabria.
The Portuguese forward smashed the spot-kick into the roof of the net to earn his side a draw ahead of the second leg in Turin on March 4.
Napoli defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the first leg of the other semi-final in Milan on Wednesday. (Reuters/NAN)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has arrived at Milan’s Linate airport and was to undergo medicals before signing for a second term with the Rossoneri, AC Milan.
“The important thing is that I am here and I am happy,” the Swedish veteran said in a video posted on the club’s website on Thursday.
“I always said that this is home for me and finally I am here. I have been in other teams but I am back and this is what matters. I wait for the fans at San Siro and I want to make them jump again.”
The 38-year-old is expected to sign until June, with a possible renewal option for the next season.
In November, he ended a one-season term at Los Angeles Galaxy in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS).
AC Milan have programmed his presentation for Friday.
In his previous two-year term with the Devils, Ibrahimovic helped them win the 2011 title and was the Serie A top scorer on 28 goals in 2012.
He also won national titles at Ajax, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
AC Milan go into Match Day 18 sitting 11th, 14 points away from the UEFA Champions League zone.(dpa/NAN)
AC Milan’s dream of returning to the elite of European football looked more distant than ever after they gave what their own director described as an “embarrassing” performance in a 5-0 defeat to Atalanta on Sunday.
The seven-time European champions were outplayed in every department as they reached the Christmas break in eleventh place in Serie A, a familiar part of the table for them over the last few seasons – and it was difficult to know where they will go next.
“The performance wasn’t there. “It hurts a lot, it was embarrassing, and this can’t be Milan. It was very painful to see their (Atalanta’s) domination,” said the club’s chief football officer Zvonimir Boban, a former Milan player
Milan have had eight coaches and changed hands twice since winning the last of their 18 Serie A titles in 2011 and they have not taken part in the Champions League since 2013-14.
Italian media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, at the helm during Milan’s heyday, sold the club to a Chinese-led consortium in a 740 million-euro ($832 million) deal in April 2017 and it was taken over by U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management the following year.
That led to a further re-structuring which saw Ivan Gazidis appointed chief executive, Boban brought in for the newly-created post as chief football officer and Frederic Massara named as sporting director, reporting to technical director Paolo Maldini.
At the same time, Milan have battled with UEFA’s break-even rule known as financial fair play.
They were banned from European football for one season in 2018 for breaching the rules but won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, UEFA opened another investigation this year and, in a negotiated settlement, Milan agreed to a one-year suspension which means they missed out on this season’s Europa League.
A lack of spending has not been the problem. This year alone, Milan have spent more than 150 million euros on new players including Krzysztof Piatek, Lucas Paqueta, Rafael Leao and Ismael Bennacer. Yet, none of those have performed in anything more than fits and starts.
“What is missing? Perhaps stability after an era as successful as that of Berlusconi and with the almost total change in the world of football.
“It is not easy for a team with the expectation of Milan,” said Leonardo Araujo, who left as the club’s sporting director in July after only one year in the post.
Boban said that more time was needed, although fans may feel their team has been in transition for long enough already.
“We wanted to be competitive right away. But recreating Berlusconi’s Milan in a year or two is impossible. “It’s not going to be a good Christmas,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)
