By Daily Sports on February 9, 2020
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be fit for AC Milan's Serie A derby against Inter Milan, according to head coach Stefano Pioli.
The 38-year-old, who joined the club for a second spell in January, missed Milan’s 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona last Sunday through illness.
But he looks set to recover in time for the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday.
“Today he is training with the squad and if he gets through that, he will be available,” Pioli said on Saturday.
“He has undergone an individual training programme.”
Despite the fact Milan lie ninth in Serie A, 19 points behind second-placed Inter, they are unbeaten since Ibrahimovic arrived on a free transfer last month.
And Pioli believes the former Sweden international is key to his side’s chances against his former club, who have not lost in the league since October’s defeat by champions Juventus.
“We’re facing a team that hasn’t lost for some time,” Pioli said.
“[On Sunday] we must all have the face of Ibrahimovic, fired up and determined. We must maximise our potential.
“Inter did better than us from the start of the season until December, but now we are trying to make up lost ground and we hope to play well in this derby.
“You prepare for every game with the intention of winning, but there are some matches that are worth more than others. Derby games are must-win fixtures.”
Meanwhile, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez is unavailable through suspension while captain and regular goalkeeper Samir Handanovic will start on the bench after fracturing his finger. (Reuters)
•PHOTO: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
EURO SOCCER
Ibrahimovic Set To Feature In Milan Derby
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be fit for AC Milan's Serie A derby against Inter Milan, according to head coach Stefano Pioli.
The 38-year-old, who joined the club for a second spell in January, missed Milan’s 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona last Sunday through illness.
But he looks set to recover in time for the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday.
“Today he is training with the squad and if he gets through that, he will be available,” Pioli said on Saturday.
“He has undergone an individual training programme.”
Despite the fact Milan lie ninth in Serie A, 19 points behind second-placed Inter, they are unbeaten since Ibrahimovic arrived on a free transfer last month.
And Pioli believes the former Sweden international is key to his side’s chances against his former club, who have not lost in the league since October’s defeat by champions Juventus.
“We’re facing a team that hasn’t lost for some time,” Pioli said.
“[On Sunday] we must all have the face of Ibrahimovic, fired up and determined. We must maximise our potential.
“Inter did better than us from the start of the season until December, but now we are trying to make up lost ground and we hope to play well in this derby.
“You prepare for every game with the intention of winning, but there are some matches that are worth more than others. Derby games are must-win fixtures.”
Meanwhile, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez is unavailable through suspension while captain and regular goalkeeper Samir Handanovic will start on the bench after fracturing his finger. (Reuters)
•PHOTO: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 9, 2020
You may also like...
Champions League: I have always wanted to win...
Chelsea’s Ike Ugbo Close To €5m Genk Move...
No plan to strip Fernandes of captain armband...
Animashaun emerges youngest boxing champ in West Africa...
16 Crushed to Death in Stadium Stampede
Man Utd Targeting Upset Win At Liverpool —...
VIDEO: Spain return home to hero’s welcome after world cup triumph
Drake loses $1.5m world cup bet as Spain beat Argentina
[CYMI] FULL LIST: Mbappé leads Messi, others in 2026 World Cup top scorers chart
Messi is pure history, says Argentine coach ahead of World Cup final
Trump says England’s Tuchel ‘made a mistake’ with Kane in Argentina World Cup defeat
World Cup final: Messi may equal Ronaldo’s unique football record
D’Tigers star Eric to hold basketball camp in Lagos
Commonwealth Games: Amusan arrives Team Nigeria camp
Oloko’s Falcons dream comes true with Nnadozie
WAFCON worth fighting for, says Oshoala
Ashe praises world-class Nigeria camp ahead of C’wealth Games
World Cup: Argentina face FIFA sanction over Falklands banner display
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,964 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,306 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,214 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,819 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,701 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,574 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,461 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,978 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,196 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,665 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,143 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,527 views)