Milan coach Stefano Pioli revealed he has a ‘direct’ relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and believes the Swede can play with Olivier Giroud. ‘Ibra is an attacking playmaker’.
The 39-year-old signed up for another season with the Rossoneri but has been out with a knee injury and was forced to carry out surgery to correct the problem he sustained against Juventus in May.
Zlatan missed the European Championship with Sweden due to the injury and has yet to feature in the new season. Coach Pioli, a guest in Biella at the ‘Champions under the Stars’ event, spoke about his relationship with the former Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United player.
“Zlatan is a character in everything he does, he’s a great personality,” Pioli said, according to Sky Sport Italia.
“There was a time he didn’t appreciate a substitution, the first year. He knocked on my office door and he said: ‘Today, I’m talking’.
“I stood in the corner and listened. That day I listened, the next day I said: ‘Zlatan, now I’ll explain why I did certain things’.
“And he accepted it. It’s easy to get along with him because we are two very direct people, we tell each other what we think. When we confront each other, the target is always for the good of the team.
“I’m not afraid of arguments or comparisons, nor admit blame if I do something wrong. The same goes for Zlatan. He will never admit it, but he’s the first to put himself in front of everyone to take his own responsibilities.
“He’s a person of extreme intelligence and sympathy, he has certainly made us grow a lot and still has a lot to give to Milan.”
Ibrahimovic is currently working for a return against Lazio, when the Swede and Franck Kessie are expected to be in the matchday squad for the first time in 2021-22.
“He will be back soon,” Pioli said. “He’s training well, I hope he will continue like this until Saturday, to be able to call him up on Sunday.”
The coach was asked if Zlatan and Olivier Giroud can play together for Milan.
“The great players, with the right availability, can play together. They have different characteristics. Giroud is a point of reference in the area, Ibra is now an attacking playmaker.
“When they are both at 100 per cent, and I hope soon, we can try it. I would have liked to try it sooner, but there was no opportunity.”
Milan, Pioli: "Con Ibrahimovic ho un rapporto diretto. Lui e Giroud insieme? Si può"#SkySport #Milan #Pioli #Ibrahimovic #Ibra #Giroud https://t.co/PkCmT8Prge
— skysport (@SkySport) September 7, 2021
I dont think it’s a good idea for the 2 oldies to play together they need to be alternated or they could be prone to injury playing 90m
I would play one half each especially in the CL
Try it for Christ’s sake…everyone is ready to pass judgement without trying it out!!!! If it doesn’t work, so be it. IMO, i don’t think it will work with 2 veteran strikers but…