VERONA, ITALY - MARCH 17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Hellas Verona FC and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 17, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY - MARCH 17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Hellas Verona FC and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 17, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Zlatan Ibrahimovic had individual meetings with Milan players, including Rafael Leao, on Thursday.

The Rossoneri are preparing for a Serie A match against Bologna on Saturday, which could be played in Como behind closed doors due to extreme weather conditions in the Emilia Romagna region.

According to Gazzetta, Red Bird Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed a training session in Milanello alongside chief scout Geoffrey Moncada on Thursday before meeting players individually.

The former Sweden striker also congratulated Paulo Fonseca and his staff for recent victories over Udinese and Club Brugge.

Ibrahimovic meets Milan players and gives advice to Leao

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 22: Rafael Leao of AC Milan leaves the field after substitution during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between AC Milan and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Rafael Leao of AC Milan leaves the field after substitution during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between AC Milan and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It is reported that Ibra spoke to all players, including Rafael Leao, who is struggling to settle in under new coach Paulo Fonseca.

According to the report, Leao is not expected to start against Bologna, but Ibrahimovic reassured the Portuguese winger that overcoming challenging moments is part of any player’s development, so he urged Leao to remain calm and work hard.

Leao was urged to ‘react as a champion’, accept the coach’s decisions and transform his disappointment into ‘positive anger’ on the pitch.

Leao spent the latest Serie A game against Udinese on the bench and was subbed off after 60 minutes in a Champions League game against Club Brugge earlier this week.

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