Pioli: Ibrahimovic helped me grow

 

AC Milan coach Stephano Pioli has admitted that 40-year-old talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played a huge role in his career.

Pioli, who had never won a single silverware as a manager in his career, led The Rossoneri to their first Serie A in 11 years after beating Sassuolo away from home on the final day to dethrone defending champions Inter Milan by just two pints.

Since the return of Ibrahimovic to the team, he has played a huge role in the team both on and off the pitch.

Bein a veteran with a winning mentality, the 40-year-old Swede has always challenged his teammate to succeed.

Unfortunately, Ibrahimovic will be out of action for the next seven to eight months following knee surgery. Since the 40-year-old has no intention of retiring, he had to do the surgery to return to the field again.

Speaking about the mentality of the Swedish legend on RAI 3 program Che Tempo Che Fa, Pioli said the 40-0year-old couldn’t wait to go under the knife, as he had suffered for all these months.

Admitting that Zlatan helped him to grow, Pioli pointed out that he gave the whole team that mentality and belief of winners.

While noting that he is the most intelligent and likeable person he knows in football, the coach revealed that he had to to the operation because he wanted to continue playing, and he still has more to give.

Zlatan had already said he is not ready to hang his boot as he is ready to give more. He is getting older, and the number of minutes he can play is expected to reduce.

But a fit Zlatan won’t be happy not to be on the pitch from the blast of the whistle to the end.

This is the best season for the Rossoneri having finished second last season behind eventual winners, Inter.

The coach, who is now on his summer vacation at Forte Dei Marmi, lauded Milan fans for accepting him for what he is.

While noting that he put all of himself into what he does, Pioli said the love of the fans filled him with joy.

He further revealed that the worst moment of the season for him was losing the Coppa Italia semi-final to Inter. Then the Scudetto seemed to be slipping away.

But Milan rose to the challenge and won all their remaining games to clinch their first Serie A title since the 2011-12 season.

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed