The AC Milan striker who turned 40 on October 3 has continued to defy age as he scored the opening goal with a powerful free-kick before earning a penalty for Franck Kessie to convert against Roma.
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The veteran AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who turned 40 on October 3 has continued to defy age as he played a decisive role in his side’s 2-1 Serie A win over Roma on Sunday. The Swedish player scored the opening goal with a powerful free-kick before earning a penalty for Franck Kessie to convert. Milan full-back Theo Hernandez was sent off for a second yellow card before Stephan El Shaaraway scored a stoppage time consolation goal for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Ibrahimovic was too hot for Roma to handle before he was substituted near the hour-mark. But the damage was already done. The 40-year-old created chance after chance, with only offside rule and VAR preventing him from scoring or setting up another.
Ibrahimovic joked about his ferocious free kick goal against Roma and Milan’s Scudetto ambitions. ‘I must be slowing in my old age!’
The Swedish player scored mid-way through the first half with a powerfully struck low free-kick through Toma’s wall. It was his 400th career League goal. His first league goal came almost 22 years ago, on October 30, 1999 as an 18-year-old for Malmo FF in Sweden’s top division.
Moments later, Ibrahimovic nearly set up Rafael Leao for Milan’s second but the referee raised his flag for offside.
“It was a great performance, we played with a lot of confidence and our style,” Ibrahimovic told DAZN.
“We knew it wasn’t easy, Roma were unbeaten at home this season, but we played really well and must continue with this belief and tempo.”
“Every now and then, I pull a surprise!! You must always give it a go, as failure is part of success, so you keep trying.”
It was pointed out to him that the free kick was travelling at 101km/h.
“Ah, it usually goes quicker! At least 200! I think I must be slowing my shot in old age!” he grinned.
Ibrahimovic reacted to the insulting chants after the goal from Roma fans.
“I need the jeers, the more they jeer, the more alive I feel. Adrenaline brings so much. We want to win, especially when playing such a big game and a man down. We showed we’ve all got character and can suffer under pressure too. The lads put in a great performance.”
Ibrahimovic’s believes Milan can win the Scudetto at the end of this season.
“We’ll try. We believe in this, we’ve done well so far, but it’s a long season and we must continue to be consistent in our work. We believe, but it’s early days. Take it one game at a time.”
He was keeping the Roma defence on their toes as he had a goal disallowed by VAR when he was again offside. However, a few minutes before the hour-mark, Ibrahimovic was brought down by Roger Ibanez inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Kessie stepped up and converted the spot kick to double the lead.
In the 66th minute, Hernandez picked up his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Lorenzo Pellegrini just outside the area. And then, El Shaaraway pulled one back for the hosts in stoppage time.
The win extended Milan’s impressive start to the Serie A campaign as the Rossoneri are level on points with Napoli, which still leads on goal difference after a 1-0 win over Salernitana.
