Ibrahimovic: ‘I expect a lot from all Milan players’ in important Week 25 game

epa11761049 Swedish former soccer player and AC Milan’s senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan, in Bergamo, Italy, 06 December 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not want Milan to be distracted by the Champions League play-off when they host Verona this evening. ‘I expect a lot from all the players.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lazio-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri were heavily criticised following their 1-0 Champions League play-off defeat to Feyenoord, with Sergio Conceicao’s experiment of using the Fab Four together – Santiago Gimenez, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic – failing.

So two of those players are rested today, as the second leg with the Dutch team is on Tuesday at San Siro, while Fikayo Tomori is also suspended.

Ibrahimovic keeps Milan focused on Verona

“Every match is like a final, especially with the table the way it is. Every point is precious and we must not be distracted by the next, because this game is important,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.

The special advisor to RedBird was asked if he expected more from Milan’s star players in Rotterdam, specifically Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao?

“You always expect a positive performance, but during the match there are different moments and if you concede after three minutes, it becomes an uphill struggle. However, we have the second leg at home and will think positive.

“As for whether I expect more from Theo and Leao, I expect a lot from all the players, because they are all Milan players and must perform at the level of Milan.”

If Ibrahimovic has still been the centre-forward, would he have gelled better with Joao Felix, Rafael Leao or Pulisic?

“The important thing was that they got along with me, not me with them! I think all of them would’ve suited me, as they can all provide assists, score goals, create situations and draw defenders away to give the striker more freedom. All of them can attack and create.”

The Fab Four approach did not work, so could Sergio Conceicao try making it a 4-3-3 with an extra midfielder provide more balance?

“The coach is the coach, we do not get involved in his work. There are many games, one every three days, so we need balance on the field and also fresh legs. At the end of the day, the coach decides,” concluded Ibrahimovic.