Ibrahimovic fails to shine in Europe again
Reuters - Thursday 10 March 2011, 10:35
ROME - AC Milan's Champions League exit
thrust the spotlight on striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's dual
on-field personality as he once again failed to reproduce his
dazzling domestic form in a big European game.
After the Serie A leaders lost their last-16 tie 1-0 on
aggregate to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Italian media
grappled with the mystery of his Jekyll and Hyde performances,
with state TV channel Rai marking him four-and-a-half out of 10.
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Leading newspaper Corriere della Sera described him as "gone
missing" after a largely anonymous showing at White Hart Lane as
the Swede continued his track record of under-performance having
scored just three goals in 22 Champions League knockout matches.
His struggle to find the net contrasts with his prolific
scoring rates on his way to league titles in each of the past
seven years with Ajax, Juventus (the club were later stripped of
two), Inter Milan and Barcelona. He is on track for another as
Milan are five points clear in Italy.
"I'm happy with my contribution," said Ibrahimovic, neatly
sidestepping the post-match question. "Everyone played well and
we tried everything but the ball just wouldn't go in."
FEATURE: Ibra and Milan flunk English test yet again
Despite his satisfaction, the fact was that after an early
free kick was pushed aside by Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes,
Milan's number 11 was then largely outmuscled by the Londoners'
defence on Wednesday.
At one point in the second half when a move broke down, he
betrayed his frustration by joining his hands, looking skywards
and shouting the words "per favore" (please).
Milan, whose exit came after losing 1-0 at home and failing
to make the most of their better chances in the return leg, were
determined to take the positives from the fact they could now
concentrate on winning a first Serie A title in seven years.
"We just needed the goal but it's not always the best teams
that win matches," Ibrahimovic told Italian television.
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"In two games, Tottenham had just one shot on target. The
good thing was we gave a good account of ourselves and we can
now go for the title and Coppa Italia."
Despite being Italy's most successful club in Europe with
seven crowns, Milan have dropped several hints this season they
are focusing on winning the scudetto.
While offloading Ronaldinho during the winter transfer
window, the Rossoneri brought in players ineligible to play in
the Champions League - Mark van Bommel and Antonio Cassano,
Urby Emanuelson.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani agreed Ibrahimovic had not
been at his best but rejected any Milan return for Kaka, the
player sold to Real Madrid two seasons ago.
"We know Ibra is not doing the things he was doing at the
start of the season but he is still very useful," he said. "Kaka
is impossible. No Italian club can match his wages."