Ibrahimovic: 'Nothing personal' about Barca
Reuters - Monday 21 November 2011, 12:48
AC Milan striker Zlatan
Ibrahimovic says there will be nothing personal about
Wednesday's Champions League match against Barcelona, the club
he left in acrimonious circumstances 18 months ago.
Ibrahimovic missed the 2-2 draw at Nou Camp earlier in Group
H and will now have to make do with a match that is reduced to a
virtual friendly after both sides qualified for the last 16 in
the previous round of games.
"I was disappointed but for me playing against a former team
is nothing personal," the volatile Swede told UEFA.com. "Of
course it's emotional, a big game, but in the end it's like any
other game. There's no need to over-hype it."
Ibrahimovic fell out with Barca coach Pep Guardiola when he
was offloaded at the end of the 2009/10 season, calling him "the
philosopher who has shattered my dream."
"Even when I left the team, I knew I'd left the best team in
the world," said the 30-year-old.
"But, for me and all the other parties involved, I think the
best solution was to leave the club. Given the results for both
sides, it was the best solution.
"I think Milan are the biggest club I have ever played
with," added Ibrahimovic, who won three Italian titles with
arch rivals Inter Milan before his spell with Barcelona.
"I felt at home from my first day here - they welcomed me
with open arms.
"I think this game is more about prestige," he added. "It's
good to come first, but sometimes it's good to come second; both
can be positive or negative."
Barcelona lead Milan by two points and will guarantee top
spot if they win on Wednesday.