Milan’s points-per-game average is significantly different depending on whether or not veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts.

The 40-year-old Swedish striker has made a clear impact on the Rossoneri since his return in January 2020, but it seems as if he makes a bigger difference off the pitch than on it, when examining the points-per-game averages.

As reported by Calciomercato.com, Milan picked up 31 of their 42 points this season in matches where Ibrahimovic did not start, with the majority of these points coming in the first 11 games of the season.

In comparison, when the 40-year-old Swede has started, Milan have picked up only 11 points, coming from three wins, two draws and three defeats – an average of 1.38 points per game. Without Ibrahimovic in the starting line-up, the Rossoneri’s points-per-game average rises to 2.82.

These numbers are not entirely representative of the situation, however, and are a little disingenuous. The Milanese club have had to deal with a serious injury crisis in recent weeks, and the majority of their points came before the issues arose.

That doesn’t make these stats irrelevant either. It’s clear that, whilst Ibrahimovic is still a clinical and decisive striker, he may not be able to keep up the pace with his counterparts from the first minute. However, the Swedish veteran still makes a difference when he does play, having scored seven goals in his 11 Serie A appearances this season.

2 thought on “Ibrahimovic’s effect on Milan’s points-per-game average”
  1. He played in those three defeats, but Leao, Rebic and Calabria were absent, and that’s the key here. With them we would probably pick up more points from those matches. Ibra without Leao and Rebic is too isolated up front.

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