IS IT ZLATAN MAGIC WHAT HELPED AC MILAN TO TURN AROUND

 LAST SEASON THE FOOTBALL WORLD WITNESSED A COMPLETE TURNAROUND FROM AC MILAN WHICH IS STILL BEING CONTINUED TO A UNTHINKABLE EXTENT, WHAT HELP THEM? IS IT THE ZLTAN EFFECT?
 

         

( Picture courtesy: Instagram official page of AC Milan)

Well, let me give you some reasons to read this useless looking article.

Here are some stats for you,

 

 ◆ AC Milan in 19/20 Serie A before Pioli became there coach:  

Match: 7     Win: 2      Draw: 0    Loss: 5    Points:6

◆ AC Milan under Pioli before Zlatan was introduced:

Match: 10    Win: 3     Draw: 3    Loss: 4  

 Points: 12

◆ AC Milan in 19/20 season after Zlatan appeared:

Match: 24    Win: 15    Draw: 7   Loss: 2 

  Points: 52

◆ Zlatan in 19/20 season for AC Milan:

Match: 19   Goal: 11    Assist: 5

◆ Milan has won all of their matches in 20/21 season with Zlatan scoring 5 goals from 5 matches.

 

Ok! So, now I guess I can have your full attention!

You know fearless atti-boy Zlatan Ibramovic, you may admire him or not but you can't ignore his presence. Wait! I still haven't mentioned about his crazy goals which include the goal of the century against England in his Swedish colours also. Well this guy with savage replies, never ending controversies, unbearable guts and opponent-humiliating skills also have a huge motivational and inspirational side too. Wherever he goes he crates impact, not only for him, but also for the team and teammates. Here he proves that again in his return to the San Siro.

 

Milan was numb with continuous losses and draws when Zlatan arrived for his second spell in AC Milan. He came off the bench in his first match just after a thrashing 5-0 loss to Atalanta. That match was drawn. But after that they really never looked back. They went on to as high as the 6th position at the points table which later handed them the ticket to Europa league.

 

Zlatan Effect?

Well, I'm none to comment about that.

Let's see what Brahim Diaz has to say:

“A champion on and off the pitch. He helps us, speaks to us, supports us, one by one. He is a great man and he has given me great advices since I arrived. It is clear to everyone what a player he is. He continues to make a difference one the pitch." - He told in an interview to ‘Skrill'.

 

Team's one of the most dependable player, rising star in wing, Calhanoglu once stated: “Zlatan knew me and my qualities before he returned to Milan. He always wants me to play without thinking too much and always asks me to be 100 percent concentrated."

 

Well, it is not tough to feel how Ibra can inject his tremendous will power and hunger to win, to be the best in his teammates. From the training ground to football pitch he is been their friend, motivator and guide. Well, should we say philosopher? XD. Well, after defeating Juve Ibrahim said, “ I am the president, coach and player, but they only pay me as a footballer."

 

Milan coach Stefano Pioli also said to 'Skrill': "Zlatan is a top professional. He teaches young players, he is a touchstone for his teammates and very respectful of roles. His secret is his desire to win and to always improve."

 

Talking about roles, one who regularly watches Milan matches, knows how Ibra goes and gives advices to his young teammates frequently and how he comes down to midfield when his team needs to control the pace of the play, match against Celtic was a huge example of that.

 

Binding particle of a young team

Milan has a very very young team. If we left Ibramovic out, average age of players being 23.8 only. Well if you consider their playing team it's even lesser, near around 23.5 or so. And though their defence has 31 year ole Kjaer, their mid field and forward line up has none to martial them. Mainly in big matches, Zlatan has become that missing link. By the by, talking about big matches and Zlatan, Zlatan scoreed 1 and assisted 1 against Juve and doing same against Lazio last season and scored a brace in Milan Derby. this season. And he is 39 years old, being the oldest players in Serie A to score 10 goals a season. Wait, he had played only near half of matches that season, 39 year young he should be called.

 

May be that is why former Juve and Milan boss Alberto Zaccheroni said that Ibramovic has had a wider impact on his club than Ronaldo. Adding, many young players has grown exponentially since the arrival of formal MLS star.

 

          

( Picture courtesy: Instagram official page of AC Milan)

 Well, just another stat before concluding, Since the restart of football after COVID-19 global pandemic, AC Milan is yet to be beaten. And this season, they have won all of their 9 matches till now including Milan Derby ( + 3 practice matches ).

Article By- ARPAN PURKAIT

 

 

 

 

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